Mithun Chakraborty, on Padma Bhushan honor, says, 'Everyone was getting the award, so why not me?'

Mithun Chakraborty, an Indian actor, producer, and politician who predominantly contributed in Hindi and Bengali cinema, received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest film honor, at a ceremony in New Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan today (October 8).

At the 70th National Awards ceremony, presented by President Droupadi Murmu, veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty reflected on being honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award earlier this year.

Speaking on the red carpet before the event, Chakraborty said, "I used to wonder why I hadn't received the Padma Bhushan when people younger than me were getting it. I thought, 'If everyone else is getting it, why not me?' But now, I have finally received it."

When asked about receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Mithun Chakraborty expressed his gratitude, stating, "What can I say? It’s such a great honor; I can only thank God. After all the struggles I faced, God has given everything back to me. I'm still in the process of processing this."


For the unversed, Mithun Chakraborty made his Bollywood debut with Mrinal Sen's Mrigayaa (1976), earning the National Film Award for Best Actor for his stellar performance. He rose to fame and became a household name with his iconic role in the 1982 film Disco Dancer, a massive box-office hit. Alongside his commercial success, Mithun also delivered notable performances in critically acclaimed films such as Surakshaa (1979), Bimal Dutt’s Kasturi (1980), and Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’ The Naxalites.