Dharmendra Congratulates Mithun Chakraborty On Dadasaheb Phalke Award: 'I Will Come To Give You A Big Hug'

Mithun Chakraborty was honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for his remarkable contributions to Indian cinema on October 8. The award was presented during the 70th National Film Awards ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, with President Draupadi Murmu bestowing the honour. Mithun is celebrated for his iconic roles in films like Disco Dancer, Agneepath and Tahader Katha. As congratulations flooded in for the veteran actor, his friend and fellow actor Dharmendra shared a heartfelt message to express his admiration. Apart from the Dadsaheb Phalke Award, Mithun has won 3 National Film Awards for his role in films Mrigayaa, Tahader Katha and Swami Vivekananda.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Dharmendra congratulated Mithun Chakraborty on receiving India’s esteemed Dadasaheb Phalke Award. While expressing his regret at being out of the country, he promised to celebrate this significant achievement with a big hug upon his return. Dharmendra also conveyed his love to Mithun’s family.

Dharmendra wrote, “Dear MithUN, Congratulations for Dada Saheb Phalke, India’s most prestigious Award. Give my love to to everyone at home. I am out of INDIA BUT I WILL DEFINITELY COME TO GIVE YOU A BIG HUG.”

Despite having a fractured hand, Mithun attended the ceremony to receive the honour. He was teary-eyed after watching his showreel before the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award. While accepting his award, Mithun recalled his journey in Bollywood and shared the prejudices he overcame along the way. The actor said, “Many told me that dark-skinned actors wouldn’t survive in Bollywood. I prayed to God, ‘Could you change my colour?’ But eventually accepted that I couldn’t alter my complexion. Instead, I focused on my dancing skills, determined to become so remarkable that audiences would overlook my skin colour.”

He added, “Everything I earned was through hard work. I often questioned God for my struggles, but after receiving this award, I feel at peace and will never complain again.”

Other awardees of the 70th National Award included AR Rahman for Best Music Direction in Ponniyin Selvan, Sooraj Barjatya for Best Direction in Uunchai and Rishab Shetty received Best Actor for his role in Kantara.