Actor Mithun Chakraborty was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the President of India Draupadi Murmu on Tuesday, October 8. The 74-year-old actor became emotional while accepting the award and in his first speech after the win he focused on his struggles as a dark-skinned actor in the industry.

Chakraborty, who is also a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award by the Government of India, mentioned how he was trolled and insulted as a dark-skinned person in the industry. “I was told’Black color will not work in the film industry, All the insult that could have happened happened. (I was told that there was no place for dark-skinned actors like me in the film industry. They humiliated me as much as they could),” he said.

Mithun Da, as he is fondly called, said that he would complain to God about his looks and there came a time when he finally decided to look beyond his skin color and focus on his dancing skills. Did. Known as India’s original ‘disco dancer’, the veteran actor said, “I then decided to dance. I wanted people to look at my feet, not my face or the color of my skin.” Danced in pairs in all the films, and people forgot my color. (I danced with my feet and people forgot to see my colour).”

He further advised aspiring actors in the film industry to never stop dreaming. Chakraborty recounted his own journey and told the youth, “If I can do it, anyone can do it.”

The popular star also earlier opened up about his other National Award wins and how he became egoistic. Chakraborty said that he started behaving like Al Pacino (a famous American actor), but soon realized that if he continued his attitude he would not get any work in the industry.

He ended his speech by telling everyone something he often says: “Go yourself but don’t let your dreams sleep (You sleep, but never let your dreams sleep).”

Mithun Chakraborty received a standing ovation at the ceremony.