DYK Mithun Chakraborty Once Ruled Single Screens, ‘Gave 100% Occupancy'?
Mithun Chakraborty, Indian cinema legend, kept single-screen theatres alive. Catch him next in The Bengal Files, releasing September 5.
Mithun Chakraborty, also known as Mithun Da, is widely regarded as one of the legends of Indian cinema. He has taken it to great heights with his incredible acting and dancing skills. Throughout his career, Mithun Chakraborty has appeared in over 400 films in languages including Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Punjabi. He achieved immense success in the 1980s and 1990s, and frequently challenged the industry's traditional portrayal of a Bollywood hero.
In a conversation with Digital Commentary, Vishek Chauhan, owner of Roopbani Cinema, one of Bihar's oldest theatres, recounted how Mithun's stardom helped keep the business afloat during difficult times.
'Mithun is a legend, regardless of what others say. He used to give us two films per month. Every Mithun film opened with 100% occupancy. We knew the week would be great if it were his films. Usne single screen ko sambhala hua tha jab Bollywood dheere dheere apni elitist daur me nikal gaya tha (He had maintained single-screen cinemas alive as Bollywood gradually drifted into an elitist period)," Vishek said.
Mithun Chakraborty Had Outshone Amitabh Bachchan
The film exhibitor added, 'From 1985 until 1990, Mithun was rubbing shoulders with the best. People would sometimes rank him higher than Amitabh Bachchan because Mithun has grown so much and given so many hits, so he has experienced that level of popularity as well."
Mithun Chakraborty Once Charged Rs 1 Lakh Per Day
Vishek further revealed the unique business model of Mithun's films. Shot mostly in Ooty and often produced by Rajeev Babbar, the movies were low-budget but profitable. Mithun would demand Rs 1 lakh per day and the filming had to be done in Ooty. The crew would stay at the Monarch Hotel, which he owned. The film would be distributed to Ooty's theatre owners.
Mithun Chakraborty Awards
The veteran actor has garnered various honours throughout his career, including the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2022, which was given to him at the 70th National Film Awards Ceremony. He also has three National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards. In January 2024, he received the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour.
Mithun Chakraborty's Work Front
Mithun Chakraborty will be next seen in Vivek Agnihotri's upcoming drama film, The Bengal Files, scheduled to hit the big screens on September 5. It will face a big box office clash with Tiger Shroff and Sanjay Dutt's Baaghi 4.
First Published:
July 31, 2025, 12:14 IST
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