Mahaakshay Chakraborty aka Mimoh recently opened up about the struggles his father, veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, endured before becoming one of Indian cinema’s biggest stars. During an interaction, Mahaakshay revealed that stories of his father’s difficult early years continue to inspire him whenever he faces challenges in life.Recalling the hardships Mithun faced before stardom, Mahaakshay told Siddharth Kannan, “Dad’s struggle stories used to rattle me. He would tell me, ‘Mimoh, there was a time when I used to sleep in parks and at night constables would come and beat me and chase me away, saying it wasn’t allowed to sleep there and that I should go somewhere else.’”
‘After winning a National Award, he hadn’t eaten’
Mahaakshay also shared a lesser-known anecdote from the period after Mithun won the National Award for his debut film.“There was a reporter who wanted to interview him after he won the National Award. Somehow, he tracked him down and asked for an interview. Dad told him, ‘I will give you the interview, but first please buy me food because I haven’t eaten,’” he recalled.The actor said these stories have stayed with him throughout his life and help him deal with criticism and setbacks.“Whenever challenges come my way, whether it’s trolling or people saying something negative about me, I remember all his stories. If a man forged by steel and fire did not give up, then who are we to give up? You have to keep going. You have to stare into the fire,” he said.
Mithun couldn’t afford a gym membership
Mahaakshay further revealed another story that left a lasting impact on him. According to him, there was a phase when Mithun wanted to work out but did not have the money to afford a gym membership.“The man has seen the worst of everything. He used to go to a gym at 6:30 in the morning to work out, but he didn’t have money for a membership. He made a deal with the watchman. He told him, ‘I’ll use the bathroom to get ready and I’ll sweep and clean the place, but let me use the facilities.’ That is Mithun Chakraborty. The man who today is a legend,” he shared.
‘I would want to witness that journey’
Reflecting on his father’s rise from adversity to superstardom, Mahaakshay admitted that he sometimes finds it difficult to believe the stories himself.“When he would tell me these stories, I would just melt. I would think, how can the man I have idolised all my life have come from such harsh beginnings? Sometimes I can’t even believe all of this happened,” he said.The actor added that if he ever had the chance to travel back in time, he would not change anything but would simply want to witness his father’s journey. “If I could go back in time and not alter reality, I would just want to see it. How did this man, against all odds, not give up? I would want to feel that pain and understand what he went through. I think that would be a gift. If you don’t feel pain, you’ll never feel happiness or experience the highs of life. That’s very important,” he concluded.
