Mithun Dance

“The immense talent stepping out of small towns into the national/international limelight amazes me as much as it gives me the pangs to think that in our time there was no platform like talent shows on TV,” says two-times National Award-winning actor Mithun Chakraborty,judge of the Zee TV programme Dance India Dance,in a telephonic interview.

“People are a lot more unabashed and the young lot of wannabes so ambitious,so focused and yes,talented too. And a good job on the stage in the TV show guarantees attention of those who matter in showbiz. So,it’s a win-win situation,” says the discerning actor,who chooses not to accept just any role coming his way.

“Besides Luck being directed by Soham Shah (Kaal),I am busy wrapping up Veer,a tale of a warrior tribe,in which I play a warlord and the father of characters played by the producer Salman and Sohail Khan. Bangla films I have always been doing and I even host a TV dance show for the Bengali circuit,” he says,giving an insightinto what’s been keeping him busy.

Any Mithun-da moments on the show?

“Lots! It is so flattering,so humbling when someone does a step that is my trademark. But it is original style that I always admire,” says the star of the smash-hit musical of the 1980s ‘Disco Dancer’ ,adding that he was always improvising and giving a personal touch to the steps his choreographers would give him during his prime.

“Honesty alone can take any aspirant anywhere. Expressions that are straight from the heart strike a chord instantly. Be true,be honest and all that you are worth will shine through your performance,” advises the doyen.