How Zeenat Aman Changed Mithun Chakraborty’s Fate and Helped Him Shed the ‘Unlucky’ Tag

Known as the original "Disco Dancer" of Hindi cinema, Mithun made his debut in 1976 with Mrigayaa, a role that earned him a National Award. Despite this accomplishment, he struggled to find work, as many actors were reluctant to team up with him. That was until Zeenat Aman entered his life, changing his career trajectory.

Highlights

• Zeenat Aman’s support turned Mithun Chakraborty’s career around
• In Mithun’s words, “When everyone left, Zeenat held my hand”
• She helped him break free from the ‘panauti’ tag

A Star on the Rise with Unseen Struggles

Mithun Chakraborty has been a constant presence in Indian cinema for over four decades, charming audiences not only with his acting but also his signature dance style. Though many attempted to replicate his moves, his unique style remained unmatched. In 1989 alone, Mithun appeared in 19 films, earning a place in the Limca Book of Records. Yet, his journey from an unknown newcomer to a superstar was not an easy one.

Even after his National Award-winning debut, actresses were hesitant to work with him. However, when Zeenat Aman, a celebrated actress, agreed to co-star with him, everything changed.

Early Struggles and Criticism

Mithun recalled in an old interview that when he joined the industry, icons like Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra dominated Bollywood. Establishing himself among such towering stars was incredibly challenging, especially as he faced discrimination for his darker skin tone. Many dismissed his dream of becoming a leading man, taunting him with phrases like, "You will be a hero? Who’s he kidding?"

Despite these insults, Mithun persevered and continued to hone his craft, waiting for his chance to prove his talent.

Talent Recognized, Yet Opportunities Remain Elusive

With his debut film Mrigayaa, Mithun showcased his acting skills, earning both a National Award and a BFJA Award for Best Actor. But contrary to his expectations, success didn’t bring a wave of opportunities. According to Mithun, many established actors discouraged actresses from working with him, threatening to cut ties with those who did. He worried he’d be confined to B-grade roles, unable to reach his full potential as a star.

Zeenat Aman: A Turning Point in Mithun’s Career

During an appearance on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Mithun spoke fondly of Zeenat Aman, who saw his potential when others overlooked him. She not only called him "good looking" but agreed to work with him in the 1983 film Taqdeer, which also featured Shatrughan Sinha. Taqdeer became a box-office success, helping Mithun shed the label of "panauti." Following this breakthrough, many other actresses expressed interest in working with him.

Grateful for Zeenat’s faith in him, Mithun credits her with helping him finally escape the shadow of bad luck. Their collaboration opened doors that had been closed and solidified his place as a respected star in Bollywood.