'Mithun Even Outshone Amitabh', Film Exhibitor Reveals How Mithun Chakraborty Ruled Single Screens

Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, lovingly called ‘Mithun da’ and the original ‘Disco Dancer’ of Indian cinema, was once the most popular name who largely dominated single-screen film theatres across India. In that golden era of cinema, when the industry was gradually moving towards multiplexes and massively budgeted films, the mass was largely held by not any Bachchan or Khan, but Mithun, who had become more of a phenomenon than a star. 

Film exhibitor remembers Mithun Chakraborty’s single-screen supremacy 

In a recent conversation with Digital Commentary, film exhibitor Vishek Chauhan, owner of the iconic Roopbani Cinema in Bihar, recalled how Mithun Chakraborty's consistent output kept single screens alive and running in the 1980s and 90s. During his Ooty days, Raj Babbar was his prime producer, and the superstar used to deliver two films a month. Every Mithun film was housefull back in the day. Vishek said:

“Mithun is a legend, no matter what anyone says about him or his work. There was a time when he was giving us two films every month… Every Mithun film used to open with 100% occupancy, and we knew that we were going to have a good week ahead.”

Mithun Chakraborty has been in the industry for several decades, and with time, his action sequences evolved from small-town screens to stories catering to metro cities with a mass appeal. He doubled down on making massy, action-packed potboilers that resonated deeply with Tier-2 and Tier-3 town audiences. Vishek shared:

“I remember that one day we were screening Mard, and the next film was a Mithun film, and the posters for the two upcoming films were also Mithun films. During those days, before the Bhojpuri industry boom, Mithun was the support system for all single-screen theatres in Bihar. He was single-handedly taking care of these theatres while Bollywood was now moving to a more elitist phase.”

Ooty was the home ground for Mithun Chakraborty's parallel cinema boom

Perhaps the most fascinating part of Mithun’s stardom was the business model behind it. At a time when big stars were demanding inflated salaries and complex shooting schedules, he ran a well-oiled low-budget production machine from Ooty. During those days, Vishek remembered that the superstar only charged Rs. 1 lakh per day, and he would accommodate the entire crew at the Monarch Hotel, which he owned. Titles like Cheetah, Ravan Raaj, Sanyasi Mera Naam, Zahreela, Mard, and Hitler are now remembered as cult classics among Mithun fans.

When Mithun overshadowed megastar Amitabh Bachchan 

During the late 80s and 90s, cinema in the mainland was largely dominated by Amitabh Bachchan. Meanwhile, Mithun Chakraborty was the underdog who kept the screens running with back-to-back films, most of them superhits. His fame was so massive that fans sometimes placed him over Big B. Remembering that phase, Vishek remarked:

“There was a period between 1985 and 1990 when Mithun was rubbing shoulders with the top. Sometimes, people placed him above Amitabh Bachchan. That’s how big he was.”

What's next for Mithun Chakraborty?

To this day, Mithun Chakraborty's legacy in Indian cinema remains unmatched. Having worked in diverse films across genres, regions, and languages, the national award winner is one of the biggest stars of the industry. While Amitabh may be the Shahenshah of Hindi cinema, in the hearts of millions from towns like Muzaffarpur, Dhanbad, and Patna, it was Mithun da who was king.

Mithun is set to appear in Vivek Agnihotri’s upcoming political thriller, The Bengal Files: Right To Life, releasing on September 5, 2025.

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