Mithun Chakraborty was honoured by the highest civilian honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award yesterday during the 70th National Film Awards ceremony held at New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan. His contribution to Indian cinema and lifetime achievements were celebrated. During his acceptance speech, the actor-turned-politician addressed the prejudice he faced during the initial days of his career. He recalled people judging him by skin colour and told dark-skinned actors wouldn’t survive in Bollywood. He also shared the highs and lows in his journey. 

Mithun 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. That's how I transformed into the 'sexy, dusky Bengali babu'.”

He shared an anecdote about how he got a reality check after considering himself one of the greatest actors especially following first first National Award win. He said, "I thought I had become Al Pacino. I began to treat producers dismissively. But reality hit when a producer kicked me out of his office. That day, I realized I was not Al Pacino, and it marked the end of my delusions." 

He further added, "received nothing on a platter and 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."

Well, Mithun is the only actor to win a National Award for his first film Mrigaya, in 1976. He was honoured as Best Actor in his debut film. Next he won the National Award for Best Actor for the 1993 film Tahader Katha and Best Supporting Actor for his role as Swami Ramakrishna in Swami Vivekananda in 1996. In January this year, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the country's third-highest civilian honour.