Mithun Chakraborty Was Called 'B-Grade', Actresses Refused To Work With Him: 'Zeenat Aman Broke The Jinx...'

Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his remarkable cinematic journey and contributions to Indian cinema. Mithun Chakraborty is a reputable name in Indian cinema. However, the actor faced challenges during the late 70s and 80s when several actresses refused to work with him. He was called a ‘chota star’ and ‘B-grade’ actor till Zeenat Aman took a chance upon him.

During an appearance on Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in 2023, Mithun said, “Kitni ladai ek insaan lad sakta hai? They thought I was a ‘chota star’. ‘Yeh kabhi kya hero banega? Who will make him a hero?’ Kya kya bolte the mere baare main. I don’t even want to say it, phir dard hota hai.”

He added, “There was a time when I thought I wouldn’t transition from B-grade films to A-grade films. There were times when the actresses walked out even after the film was announced. There was pressure and other actors were insecure that I would make it big someday. So they may have warned those heroines, ‘Iske saath kaam karogi toh humare saath kaam nahi kar sakti.'”

When Zeenat Aman agreed to do Brij Sadanah’s Taqdeer with Mithun Chakraborty, the actor’s career witnessed a significant turning point. He was introduced as the hero and Zeenat recognised his potential. The veteran actor recalled, “Zeenat ji said, ‘What a good-looking man he is! I will do the film with him.'”

“It was Zeenat ji who broke the jinx. Zeenat ji had the status of the number-one heroine of that time, so following her footsteps, every other actress started saying yes to the films that I worked in. With Taqdeer’s release, I became an A-category actor. I will forever be grateful to Zeenat ji for helping me attain that. Zeenat ji, if you are listening to me, I offer my pranaam to you,” the actor said.

Mithun Chakraborty is one of the most respected and prolific actors in the country. Mithun Chakraborty made his acting debut in 1977 and became one of the few actors who won a National Award with his debut film. The actor embarked on his acting journey with Mrigayaa and became a rage after his 1982 film Disco Dancer was released. The news of Mithun Chakraborty winning the Dadasaheb Phalke Award comes just months after he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan.