The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: Veteran actor-politician Mithun Chakraborty has been selected for India’s highest film honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, for his contribution to Indian cinema. Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made the announcement on X on Monday (September 30), praising Chakraborty’s remarkable journey that spans decades.
“Honoured to announce that the Dadasaheb Phalke Selection Jury has decided to award legendary actor, Sh. Mithun Chakraborty Ji for his iconic contribution to Indian Cinema,” Vaishnaw wrote.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Chakraborty a “cultural icon” and congratulated him for the award.
Reacting to the news, Chakraborty expressed his gratitude, dedicating the award to his family and fans worldwide.
“I don’t have words. Neither I can laugh nor cry. This is such a big thing… I could not have imagined this. I am extremely happy. I dedicate this to my family and my fans across the world,” Chakraborty told ANI.
Chakraborty’s impressive filmography includes his debut film Mrigayaa (1976), for which he won the National film award for best actor. He went on to deliver blockbuster hits like Disco Dancer (1982) and Agneepath (1990), cementing his status as a household name. His other notable films include Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki (1984) and Pyar Jhukta Nahin (1985). He also holds a record in the Limca Book of Records for releasing 19 films in 1989.
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The award will be presented to Chakraborty at the 70th National film awards ceremony on October 8.
Chakraborty’s foray into politics began in 2014 when he was nominated by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to contest the Rajya Sabha elections as a member of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). He served as a Member of Parliament until his resignation on December 26, 2016.
Chakraborty later shifted his allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), joining the saffron party on March 7, 2021, ahead of the West Bengal legislative assembly election.