Mithun’s New Bengal Chapter

Veteran actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty has embarked on a new chapter in public life as Cultural Adviser to West Bengal's BJP government, transitioning from celebrated film star to policymaker with a focus on culture, tourism and sports development.

Chakraborty's iconic “Disco Dancer” on the film screen is now busy blending his cinematic legacy with political influence in the state. Of late, he has been instrumental in promoting film subsidies and is now actively taking up tourism initiatives in the Sunderbans and pushing sports development projects, marking a new chapter in his career.

In recent times, his role in Bengali films such as Projapati and Kabuliwala, among others, has earned much appreciation.

Mithun Chakraborty’s connection to West Bengal runs deep. Born in Kolkata in 1950, he rose from humble beginnings to become one of India’s most celebrated film stars. His breakthrough came with Mrigayaa (1976), which won him the National Film Award for Best Actor.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, he became a household name with blockbusters like Disco Dancer, Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki, and numerous Bengali films. His screen persona, comprising a mix of rugged charm and relatable vulnerability, made him a cultural icon across India, especially in West Bengal, as “Mithunda”.

His political affiliations have evolved. Once associated with the Trinamool Congress, he served briefly as a Rajya Sabha MP before resigning in 2016. His shift to the BJP in 2021 was a turning point, coinciding with the party’s aggressive push into West Bengal.

His presence added emotional resonance to the BJP’s campaign, his filmi statements appealing to his fans and the general public alike, who grew up watching his films. Then, as the BJP came to power this year, Mithun Chakraborty emerged as a symbolic figure of change.

His proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi also underscored his importance within the party. And now, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari appointing him in his new role as the Cultural Adviser to the West Bengal government, granting him ministerial-level privileges and influence, he has put the celebrated “Disco Dancer” foot forward.

His first major recommendation has come as a 30 per cent subsidy for films shot in the state. This was reportedly accepted, signaling his commitment to reviving the state’s cinematic glory, which was witnessing stagnation and political influence.

He is said to have also emphasised that West Bengal’s natural beauty -- its mountains, seas, and cultural richness -- should attract filmmakers nationwide. His vision is to restore the state as a hub of Indian cinema, echoing its golden era when Kolkata was a centre of film artistry.

Beyond cinema, Mithun Chakraborty has been actively involved in tourism and sports development. He has championed plans to build a tourism hub in the Sunderbans, leveraging the region’s unique mangrove ecosystem and wildlife to attract both domestic and international visitors.

This initiative aligns with BJP’s broader agenda of economic revitalisation through cultural and ecological tourism. His idea of developing a resort in the Suderbans has reportedly drawn opposition from environmental activists, but an official confirmation is yet to come on such a project.

The actor-politician incidentally owns a hotel and resort in Ooty, nestled in the scenic Nilgiri Hills, with the property a popular destination for tourists and film crews seeking a blend of luxury and natural beauty.

A significant move is his push for a football academy to nurture young talent and position West Bengal as a centre of sporting excellence. Given its historic passion for football, this project resonates deeply with local aspirations and could provide structured pathways for athletes to compete nationally and internationally.

To bring the “josh” back to football, he has now restarted an almost abandoned initiative to create the “Bengal Football Academy” where, accompanied by a group of former footballers on Monday, he announced it in New Town on Kolkata’s outskirts. His efforts at harnessing popularity and vision for the revival of culture and sports show he does not intend to let the new role remain merely ceremonial.

As West Bengal enters a new political era with the first BJP government, Mithunda’s initiatives -- from trying to revive the state’s film industry to tourism and sports initiatives -- highlight how a film star’s legacy may evolve into tangible contributions for the state’s future.