“My dad Mithun Chakraborty is actually the Institute of life, not just acting”: Mimoh Chakraborty

By Jyothi Venkatesh

After lying low for several years, Mimoh Chakraborty, the son of actor Mithun Chakraborty is back in action with his film Rosh produced by Sachin Garg, Amrut H Soni and Jayveer Panghaal, with Nikita Soni as the leading lady. I met Mimoh for this intimate interview at the posh resto-bar The Lord of The Drinks the other day where he talked about his life and career and how confident and determined he is to stage his grand comeback now. MIMOH CHAKRABORTY tells Senior Journalist JYOTHI VENKATESH in this exclusive and intimate interview for Cineblitz that he is here to prove his mettle as he feels that his potential has not yet been fully exploited. Over to Mimoh Chakraborty…

Why have you been lying low for quite a long time and what made you decide to stage your comeback with the film Rosh?

Frankly, I can say a lie and get away with it by telling you that I have been very selective and choosy but exactly like you said it, I was actually lying low but was determined to stage my comeback, because I have had a harrowing period of struggle when my films did not do well or were shelved after shooting. Though everyone wants opportunities, not everyone is lucky enough to bag opportunities at the right time, though everyone deserves good opportunities. I kept on going to audition after audition.

Did you also get Rosh by way of an audition?

Yes. I got Rosh by way of an audition like I got films Jogi Ra Sara Ra Ra with Nawazuddin Siddique, Alina, and Neha Sharma and the Telugu film titled Prestitute (Attention Please not Prostitute) and a film called Pride for an OTT platform.

How tough was it to tell your dialogues in Telugu when you set out to act in a Telugu film?

The associate directors on the sets really helped me a lot by giving me the lines a day before and I could work on my lines with a lot of difficulties. Language barriers are always bound to be there when you work in regional films especially because you just are not in a position to improvise your lines on the sets and quite often you do not know whether you should focus more on your dialogues or emotions.

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Do you watch regional films?

I watch a lot of Tamil films and Vijay is my evergreen favorite among South Indian actors. I know a little bit of Tamil because I spent my childhood in Ooty where our family owns Hotel Monarch.

How was Nawazuddin Siddiqui as a co-actor in Jogi Ra Sara Ra Ra?

Nawaz is a rock star indeed and I think one becomes a better actor by just sitting with him and talking to him about acting. Nawaz is prone to a lot of improvisation on the sets. Kushan Nandy, director of Babumoshai Bandookbaaz helms the film. This film is being produced by Kiran Shroff and Naeem Siddiqui.

Tell me what exactly is your role in Rosh?

I am sorry but I just cannot divulge anything about my role in Rosh. All that I can say is that it is a thriller in which I play a computer engineer with gray shades. In real life, I am super techno-savvy and hence it was easy for me to adapt myself to the requirements of my role. The film has several layers to it. Rosh is neither a remake nor has it been inspired by any film.

What is Rosh all about?

The film Rosh sets out to tell that life is very uncertain and anything can happen at any time though we may think otherwise. The needle of suspension is on everyone in Rosh. It is a taut thriller with a lot of layers.

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You have had a harrowing struggle in spite of being a star son!

I was supposed to be launched with He-The Only One the Hindi remake of a Telugu film with Hansika Motwani as my leading lady but thanks to a rift between the producers, the film did not progress on the floors. Then I was to act in a film produced by Vikram Bhatt and Ratan Jain but then the film was shelved. It has taken me 15 long years to come back with Rosh though I wouldn’t say that it is my second innings.

What did your film Jimmy teach you?

Jimmy was indeed my savior though it flopped. If it had not flopped, I would not have become what I am today. You see hopes, as well as rejection, are the two best friends of any actor. Jimmy’s failure humbled me. It taught me to flaunt not my attitude but my talent to the world.

Your wife Madalsa Sharma Chakraborty is a popular TV actress with her serial Anupama!

Yes. I am happy and proud of her. Besides being a good housewife, she is also very popular now after she started acting in the serial Anupama.

Madalsa Sharma with Mimoh Chakraborty

What did you learn from your dad Mithun Chakraborty?

My dad is the Institute of life, not just acting. That Man is damn honest and humbles me because he is a stickler for words as he keeps his word always, come what may. Keeping your head low and treading your path is what he has taught me. He has told me that the more I fall down, the more will I get chances of bettering myself as an actor.

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Which are your favorite Mithun Chakraborty films?

Phool Aur Angaar is one film I’d like to be a part of as and when it is remade today. I also like Suraksha, Jallad, Mrigaya, and last but not least the Bengali film Prajapati.

Your younger brother Namashi Chakraborty is also all set to be an actor.

Yes. He is all set to make his debut with Rajkumar Santoshi’s film Bad Boy. Namashi is such a damn good actor and even more chilled out and sorted and mature than I am and do not at all need advice from me as he has seen me struggling

What is your other brother Ushmey Chakraborty doing now? He also acted in one film some time back!

Ushmey has acted in films like Holy Smoke!, Gay, Asian, Immigrant, Phir Kabhi, Lucky Man, Life, Somewhere, etc, but has now shifted abode to the USA and is keen on pursuing a career as a writer and director.

Are you now Mimoh: 6?

You bet. Like you rightly said, I am Mimoh 6 version today. I am not who I was last year and understand that life is all about learning every day. I am very hungry for good roles as well as recognition. I am here to prove my mettle as I feel that my potential has not yet been fully exploited. I am ready to play any kind of role – hero, villain, comedian, or even the brother of the leading man. I remember my dad telling me that if you are a good actor, even your back can act. Right now, besides looking after Hotel Monarch at Ooty, I am also auditioning for web shows, films, and TV serials. I am even ready to play the part of a tree in children’s play.

Who is your favorite actor?

Hrithik Roshan is my favorite actor today. I always wonder how on earth a Man can be so good and accomplished.