Mithun Chakraborty steals show at son Namashi’s event

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The curtain-raiser event for Bad Boy, the latest film from Rajkumar Santoshi and producer Sajid Qureshi of Inbox Pictures, was held at the Hotel Sun’N’Sand on April 14. The producer, director and lead pair Namashi Chakraborty and Amrin Qureshi (the co-producer’s daughter) were joined on the occasion by Mithun Chakraborty, who stole the show by his presence and comments. Anjum Qureshi is the other producer. Namashi is Mithun’s (and his actress-wife Yogeeta Bali’s) second son. The film has music by Himesh Reshammiya. It is set to release on April 28.

While the lead pair was raving about their director and producer for making their dream come true, Namashi, who came across as a very humble young man, said that he also felt blessed being Mithun Chakraborty’s son.

Rajkumar Santoshi stated that it was always great to direct newcomers as they had limitless enthusiasm. He had, however, directed established stars who were also great to work with and reminded the media that he had earlier introduced another pair—Bobby Deol and Twinkle Khanna in Barsaat. He was all praise for the two lead players and he stated that he had signed them after due appraisal of their acting talent. He was confident that both would make it big.

Namoshi said that he was overjoyed that he had danced on screen alongside his father, who became a household name in the 1980s with his trendsetting dances in Disco Dancer, Dance Dance, Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki and more. “To share screen space and actually dance with him in the song Janab-e-aali was overwhelming. I put in a lot of energy. It is a dream come true and I am fortunate it happened in my very first film,” he smiled.

Asked by newsindiatimes.com about the steep decline in film music today when his father and his generation got a major professional fillip from his hit music, Namashi replied that he was very happy that Bad Boy had great songs. He agreed with the fact that good music has been missing for a long time and hoped that he, personally, will continue to get such music in his films to come.

At this point, his father intervened and quipped, “Let me tell you something. When people heard my songs, they would be dismissive and found them all peculiar. They became hits only after I enacted them!”

Mithun Chakraborty was the scene-stealer of the event as he talked about his stardom and that his son would have to fight his own battles. He stated that he was, however, always there for his son for advice and guidance.

He also made another pithy statement, “I have worked for 45 years, while he is a newcomer. Do not compare him with me. You see his work and then judge him. He will look small when you do a comparison. But in our times, a beginner had to struggle to even get food on sets. He was totally ignored. I am happy that things are better now. Also, today, the money a newcomer gets today is what we got after doing four films!”

Talking about his fans’ expectations, Mithun smiled and said that he had to respect his age and he could not possibly do the Disco dancer kind of songs and movements today. But he could do something “close”. He also added that his fans wanted him to be seen on screen and that he is shooting for three new films that will all come in 2023.

“Of late, I have been selective,” he stated. “But my films have always made a mark—The Tashkent Files, The Kashmir Files and the Bengali film, Projapati, which had completed a 100 days in cinema halls in this day and age. I have also done Bestseller, the web series.”

Dismissing any credit in his son’s career takeoff, he declared that his son owed his big break to the director and producer. Asked by newsindiatimes.com if he would like any of his movies to have remakes or sequels with his son, Mithun stated that he would disapprove of any such thing as his son would have to carve his own niche by working very hard.

Mithun also remarked that while there was a lot of professionalism today, there is less of a bond. “Earlier, we would hug each other and have lunch together. But now SMS-es are sent to the neighboring vanity van!” he said seriously.

The announcement on the occasion for the film was of an on-ground event at Mumbai’s MMRDA Grounds on April 22, which will include a live performance by composer-singer Himesh Reshammiya, and will see Namashi and Amrin also on stage.