Mithun Chakraborty confesses he became arrogant after winning National Award for ‘Mrigayaa’: ‘Producer ne bola ‘get out’

Mithun Chakraborty is a name synonymous with versatility, resilience, and an extraordinary journey in Indian cinema. However, even the most grounded individuals sometimes face moments where success alters their perspective. Mithun recently confessed that after winning his first National Award for his debut film Mrigayaa (1976), directed by legendary filmmaker Mrinal Sen, he experienced a phase of arrogance. This admission was a rare glimpse into the psyche of a star who had to battle many odds to achieve stardom, and his story serves as a reminder.  Mithun Chakraborty’s journey in the film industry began with Mrigayaa, a poignant film directed by Mrinal Sen that explored the struggles of tribal people against British rule. Mithun’s performance was widely praised, and the role won him the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actor. For an actor who had previously struggled to even get a foot in the door in Bollywood, this recognition was monumental. It signified the beginning of a promising career, but with that success came personal challenges. After winning the National Award, Mithun admitted that he let the fame get to his head. The sudden recognition filled him with a sense of invincibility. In his own words, Mithun started behaving “like Al Pacino,” imitating the legendary Hollywood star and adopting a new persona that was far removed from the grounded, hardworking individual he had been. He confessed that his attitude, inflated by this early success, caused him to become arrogant, and this arrogance soon had consequences. In a candid revelation, Mithun recounted an incident where a film producer, unimpressed with his newfound attitude, asked him to “get out.” This was a moment of reckoning for the actor. Despite his award-winning performance in Mrigayaa, the producer’s blunt words cut deep. Mithun realized that his arrogance was not just a personal flaw but a professional liability. This incident served as a humbling experience. The producer’s harsh rejection was a pivotal moment that forced Mithun to reassess his behavior. He recognized that while talent and recognition are important, they mean little if one loses their humility. The entertainment industry is unforgiving, and even the most celebrated actors can face rejection if they fail to respect the work and the people around them. Mithun’s rise to stardom was not an overnight success. He had faced significant challenges before Mrigayaa. After moving to Mumbai, Mithun struggled to find acting roles. He came from a modest background and had no connections in the industry, which made breaking into Bollywood even more difficult. There were days when he lived in poverty, sleeping on the streets or in dingy accommodations, waiting for his big break. Winning the National Award was, in many ways, the culmination of years of hard work, struggle, and determination. It was understandable that such an achievement could inflate an individual’s ego, especially when the journey had been so tough. However, Mithun soon realized that this success was only a step in a much longer career, and arrogance would not sustain him in the competitive world of cinema.