He likes to move it

There's no denying that Mithun Chakraborty,Indias original Disco Dancer has charisma. He clearly aint no spring chicken and yet,he exudes the confidence of a much younger man.

There’s no denying that Mithun Chakraborty,Indias original Disco Dancer has charisma. He clearly aint no spring chicken and yet,he exudes the confidence of a much younger man. The fact that people instantly snap to attention when hes around may have something to do with it. But then,hes one of those few stars whove managed to combine mass appeal and critical acclaim.

Ive tasted it all, he says,Stardom,superstardom and mega-stardom. I held a share in each of these earlier; now Im just enjoying the dividends. Gems like these keep flowing as the actor talks of his foray into national television and what he thinks of dancers these days. Mithunda,as hes popularly known,has taken up the mantle of mahaguru on Zee TVs latest reality show Dance India Dance. I never knew television is such hard work, he grimaces,I salute all those whove made it a career. This is not the actors first stint in television; hes also the judge on a Bengali dance reality show called Dance Bangla Dance; though he insists that the two shows could not be more different,despite similar names. The only thing in common is me, he declares.

Chakraborty says that he cant talk about the show without revealing too much,but its obvious from his excitement that all he wants to do is talk about it. He waxes eloquent on the subject but,he makes sure,without going into details. In my view,it isnt a reality show at all, he says,You may say whatever you like,but thats my opinion. I would say that this is the search for a dancing star,not just a dancer.

Hes equally vague about his role on the show. Im the mahaguru, he says,The three judges Remo Dsouza,Geeta Kapoor and Terence Lewis will act as mentors to the final 18 contestants. Theyll have six contestants each under their wing and will choreograph their moves. The final decision will rest with me and,of course,the viewers. But when its pointed out that viewer voting is often erratic with the result that the less deserving contestant wins,Chakraborty is quick to reprimand,Then all the responsible people should vote. Instead,we just sit at home and watch.

With all the bad press reality shows have recently been getting,Chakraborty feels obliged to insist the show is not scripted,mysteriously enough,even when asked if hell be performing any of the moves that made him famous. But hes less reticent when asked about his future moves in Bollywood. Im doing a lot of character roles now because one has to move with the times. Its like dance things keep changing. You cant keep doing the same stuff in dance,like disco or hip hop. Similarly,movies have also evolved.

And what does he think about the fact that dance is no longer important in movies. Its not just the dancing and singing even the script is no longer important, he says,sounding a trifle disgruntled,These days its just the packaging which matters.

He declares his favourite dancer is Hrithik Roshan but dont hold your breath waiting for Chakraborty to choreograph him; he says hes never thought of being a professional choreographer. But Ive directed some moves behind the scenes,though of course,I cant tell you about that, he smiles.

Pooja Pillai

Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology. Editorial Focus & Expertise Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique. Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment. Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms. Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy. Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics. Multimedia & Podcasting Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs. Notable Recent Works Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House. Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value. Professional Presence Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights. Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

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He likes to move it

There's no denying that Mithun Chakraborty,Indias original Disco Dancer has charisma. He clearly aint no spring chicken and yet,he exudes the confidence of a much younger man.

There's no denying that Mithun Chakraborty,Indias original Disco Dancer has charisma. He clearly aint no spring chicken and yet,he exudes the confidence of a much younger man.