Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on Monday.
The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, among other dignitaries.
Affectionately known as ‘Mithun Da’ to his fans, Chakraborty began his illustrious film career with the 1976 movie ‘Mrigayaa’, for which he received the National Film Award for Best Actor. Over the years, he has won two more National Film Awards for his roles in ‘Tahader Katha’ (1992) and ‘Swami Vivekananda’ (1998).
Renowned for his dance numbers like ‘I Am a Disco Dancer’ and ‘Jimmy Jimmy’ from ‘Disco Dancer’, as well as ‘Super Dancer’ from ‘Dance Dance’, Mithun Da has become a beloved figure in Indian cinema. His most recent appearance was in the critically acclaimed film ‘The Kashmir Files’.
The Padma Awards, established in 1954, are among the highest civilian honors in India, awarded annually on the eve of Republic Day. These honors are categorized into three levels: Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field. The awards aim to recognize achievements that involve an element of public service.
The selection for these awards is made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is appointed by the Prime Minister annually and includes the Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary to the President, and several other distinguished members. The committee’s recommendations are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President for final approval.
