MUMBAI: Mithun Chakraborty, one of the most popular Indian actors for over four decades, recently recalled that more than often he has been compared to the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan who was the biggest star of those times.

Mithun da, as he is fondly called, who has starred in some of Bollywood's most memorable films, including Disco Dancer, Pyar Jhukta Nahin, and Agneepath, said in a recent interview, that he was initially called the 'poor man's Amitabh Bachchan' by critics and audiences alike. 

He said, "At that time, Bachchan saab was doing big banner films, and I had no banner, but my films would do business of almost that target. So, people would say he is also Amitabh Bachchan, but poor man’s Amitabh Bachchan and I took it as a compliment," he said.

Mithun da said that comparisons between actors are common in the film industry and are often used to express appreciation for an artist's work. He said he didn't take it as an insult but as a compliment because, for him, Amitabh Bachchan was the biggest superstar of Indian cinema and being compared to him was indeed a huge honour. He said that it was his dream to become an actor like Amitabh Bachchan, and he worked hard to achieve that dream.

Mithun da also recalled the time when he was struggling to make a mark in the industry and how he used to watch Amitabh Bachchan's movies for inspiration, although he emphasized that every actor has a unique style and personality, and it is their differences that make them stand out.

Despite the comparison, Mithun da was successful in creating a niche for himself in the industry with his unique style and exceptional acting and dance skills. Both the veteran actors had an excellent equation in the film Agneepath.

In a recently released memoir titled 'Mithun Chakraborty: The Dada of Bollywood,' the actor revealed that his life was not without challenges, and narrates how he was written off by the film industry even before he had begun properly. He was once told by a filmmaker, "From which angle do you look like an actor?"

This incident left Mithun feeling insecure about his looks and his ability to make it in the industry, however, he did not let it deter him from pursuing his dreams. 

He also said that he had to deal with financial struggles and even slept in a public park when he did not have a roof over his head. Despite the challenges, Mithun Chakraborty's hard work and perseverance paid off. He went on to appear in more than 350 films in multiple languages and was awarded three National Awards for his performances.