Down to Earth

Disco dancer Mithun Chakraborty is moving with the times and endorsing an environmentally conscious film. Chakraborty plays an elderly beggar in a children’s film called Zor Lagaa Ke Haiya. Directed by debutant Girish Girija Joshi,the film is dedicated to raising consciousness about the importance of trees. “It is a cause that I am deeply attached to,” said Chakraborty,in Delhi for the film’s promotion at Wave Cinemas,Noida. Dressed flamboyantly as usual,in a black jacket and a blue muffler,Chakraborty recalled his 14-hour shoots for the film,while wearing a mask of special make up. Chakraborty plays a menacing Ravan,who lives in a tree house. Children of the locality save the tree from being cut. “It is important to send this message to children before it is too late to save our planet,” he said. The film won the Silver Palm Award at the Mexico International Film Festival this year and was a finalist at the Las Vegas International Film Festival.

Chakraborty’s son Mimoh,who made his debut with the disastrous Jimmy,accompanied his dad to Delhi. He seemed ill at ease and unwilling to talk about future films. “I have learnt a lot from Jimmy,” he said. Maybe he’ll make amends in Suniel Shetty’s home production,The Loot,which releases later this year.