Disco dancer 35 years later: what Mithun Chakraborty does today

2023 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 13:10

June 16 marks the 68th anniversary of one of the most popular and successful Indian actors Mithunu Chakraborty … In the 1980s. after the release of the film "Disco Dancer" his name became known to everyone, he was called the sex symbol of Bollywood and Indian Travolta. He starred in more than 300 films and became the idol of the Soviet audience. After the wave of popularity of Indian cinema passed in our country, they forgot about it. Meanwhile, the actor became one of the richest people in India and achieved success not only in cinema.

In fact, the exact date of his birth is unknown: some sources indicate 1947, others - 1950. But there is no doubt that he was born in Calcutta in a poor family and the fame of a popular film actor even could not dream. And in the 1960s. he joined the extremist organization of the Naxalites and nearly ended up in jail for participating in the rebellion.

He was living in Bombay and distributing cosmetics when he accidentally found out about the recruitment of students at the film institute in the city of Pune. It was a prestigious educational institution for the upper classes, but Mithun decided to try his luck. And thanks to his innate artistry and bright appearance, he was enrolled in the ranks of students. He graduated from the institute with honors and already during his studies began to act in episodic roles in films.

The first notable and successful role for him was the work in the film "The Royal Hunt", for which he received the Indian Film "Golden Lotus" award in the nomination "Best Actor". After that, the directors bombarded him with proposals. And after the release of the films "Disco Dancer", "Enemy", "Boxer", "Dance, Dance!" and "Commandos" came to him worldwide popularity. In the USSR, "Disco Dancer" in the early 1980s. enjoyed overwhelming success. We went to the cinemas for this film several times, and everyone sang the melody of the famous song.

Chakraborty's talents were truly multifaceted: he played several musical instruments, boxing, wrestling, acrobatics and football. In 1995, according to the results of a poll of readers of Filmfare magazine, he was recognized as the sexiest actor, and in 1999 he got into the local Book of Records as the actor who performed the largest number of leading roles in the national language. At that time there were 249 of them, now there are more than 300.

However, his film career developed with varying degrees of success. In the late 1980s. more than 20 films with his participation were released, which failed miserably at the box office. Then he left Bombay and founded his own studio of low-budget films. With an insignificant budget, even if the picture failed at the box office, the studio did not incur large losses.

In his personal life, everything turned out well for him too. In his younger years, he married fashion model Helene Lloc, but the marriage did not last long. His second wife was actress Yogita Bali, who gave him four children. For him, she gave up her acting career and devoted herself to the family. Despite the occasional rumors about the actor's novels, this family union turned out to be very strong and exists to this day.

In the 1990s. the actor fulfilled an old dream and went into business: he opened a chain of hotels "Monarch". At the end of the twentieth century. Mithun Chakraborty is one of the richest people in India. He is also the owner of the football and cricket teams.

He still acts in films. In addition, the actor has led the filmmakers' union for many years, is involved in charity work and provides assistance to actors in need. He can be seen on screens and as a judge of the dance show "Dance, India, Dance", where he himself still dashingly dances on stage.

And after 60 the actor is still a "disco dancer". According to him, he remains forever young and energetic thanks to the beauty and wisdom of his wife. And he explains his incredible success like this: “I don't believe in hard work or talent. Neither hard work nor immense talent will make you famous. I will not say that this does not matter at all, but in this industry there are a huge number of talented and hardworking people who all this did not help. This is destiny. I'm still convinced that I was just meant to be famous, to be a star."

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