Did you know that even after winning a National Film Award for his debut film “Mrigayaa” in 1976, Mithun Chakraborty continued to lead a modest life? As he worked on the 1979 film “Prem Vivah,” Mithun traveled to the set in a BEST bus, living as a paying guest and facing financial struggles.

During this time, Mithun candidly revealed that his make-up man and hairdresser earned more than him on the project. While he received Rs 5000 for the film, his staff made approximately Rs 7500-8000. This financial disparity was significant, considering that Rs 5000 held immense value for him back then. Despite his National Film Award win, Mithun’s journey was marked by frugality; he lived on a tight budget, paying Rs 75 per month as a paying guest, and managing with minimal clothing.

Surprisingly, Mithun’s success was not anticipated by the film industry. A renowned director even expressed doubts about his potential, stating that if Mithun became a successful hero, the director would leave the industry. However, Mithun’s eventual rise to stardom, particularly after the global hit “Disco Dancer” in 1982, proved the naysayers wrong.

Despite the lack of confidence in him, Mithun remained humble and did not hold any grudges. When the director, who had initially doubted his success, eventually collaborated with him in a highly successful film, Mithun chose not to mention the past disrespect. The director, too, never acknowledged the earlier doubts.

Mithun’s journey from struggling days to becoming a Bollywood icon is a testament to his resilience and determination. Today, he continues to be a prominent figure in the industry, taking up projects like “Baap,” featuring stars like Sunny Deol, Sanjay Dutt, and Jackie Shroff.

Get ready for some big-screen magic as actor Ajay Devgn and director Tigmanshu Dhulia join hands again for a movie about India’s first Dalit cricketer, Palwankar Baloo! It’s like a reunion of talent as Ajay and Tigmanshu team up to tell the incredible story of this legendary sportsman.

Producer Priti Sinha recently spilled the beans on X about this exciting project. She announced that they’ll be bringing Palwankar Baloo’s inspiring journey to life, based on historian Ramchandra Guha’s book “A Corner of a Foreign Field”. This isn’t just any cricket tale; it’s a story of resilience, determination, and breaking barriers.

For those not in the know, Palwankar Baloo started as a groundsman at a cricket club in Pune and rose to fame when he was picked to play for the Hindu Gymkhana in 1896. But it wasn’t an easy road for him, facing discrimination at every turn, as depicted in Guha’s book.

As for Ajay, he’s been making waves with his recent roles, from the football coach in “Maidaan” to the spine-chilling “Shaitaan”. But his journey doesn’t stop there! With “Singham Again” on the horizon, where he’ll be sharing the screen with a star-studded cast, Ajay’s fans have a lot to look forward to. And now, with the Dalit cricketer biopic in the works, the excitement is only going to soar higher!

In the dazzling world of Bollywood, where every headline is scrutinized and every rumor gains momentum, Imran Khan offers an intriguing glimpse into his friendship with fellow actor Ranbir Kapoor. Having burst onto the scene almost simultaneously, both Imran and Ranbir quickly became the talk of the town with their impressive debuts in 2008 and 2007, respectively. However, alongside their rising fame came the inevitable comparisons and relentless scrutiny from media outlets. 

Despite being subjected to constant comparisons and gossip, Imran reminisces about how they maintained a steadfast friendship amidst the noise. In an exclusive chat with IndiaToday.in, Imran fondly recalls his conversations with Ranbir during those early days, highlighting their shared commitment to the craft of acting. Imran emphasizes that while the industry may have attempted to pit them against each other, they never succumbed to the negativity. 

Instead, they chose to focus on their mutual passion for cinema. Their bond was further evident when they appeared together on the iconic Koffee With Karan during Season 3, showcasing their camaraderie to the world. While Imran is currently exploring new projects and developing scripts, the enduring warmth of his friendship with Ranbir serves as a reminder that true camaraderie transcends the glitz and glamour of Bollywood.

Farah Khan recently shared a delightful behind-the-scenes anecdote about the making of the iconic “Deewangi Deewangi” song from Om Shanti Om. This song was a massive undertaking, featuring almost all of Bollywood’s top stars, including Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerji, Karisma Kapoor, Rekha, and Dharmendra. Coordinating their schedules and getting them together was a near-impossible task, but Farah and Shah Rukh Khan managed to pull it off. However, there was one humorous hiccup during the shoot—Govinda showed up a whole day late!

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In an interview on IFTDA Official’s YouTube channel, Farah recounted, “Govinda arrived 24 hours late.” She elaborated on the situation, recalling how everything was set for Govinda’s shot, and they were all waiting for him. Farah called him to find out his whereabouts, asking, “Chichi, where are you?” To which Govinda casually replied, “I’m shooting in Dharavi.” Farah, somewhat exasperated, responded, “But we are in Film City!” Despite the mix-up, Govinda showed up the next day, and the shoot continued.

In a previous appearance on the Zee Comedy Show, Farah shared another interesting tidbit. Despite her 30-year career as a choreographer and having known Govinda since childhood, she had never choreographed him. Even during the “Deewangi Deewangi” shoot, Farah admitted she didn’t have the confidence to choreograph him. Instead, she asked Govinda to teach Shah Rukh Khan his dance steps for the song. Farah confessed, “I didn’t have the courage to choreograph him. Hence, I told Govinda to choreograph Shah Rukh Khan for his portion, telling them that we’ll keep those steps.”

The result was a charming and memorable segment where Shah Rukh and Govinda performed a lively “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” routine, which came out exceptionally well. Farah further explained in the same interview that she always felt Govinda’s collaboration with choreographer Ganesh Acharya was unparalleled. She believed that anything she attempted with Govinda wouldn’t have matched the magic he created with Ganesh Acharya.

Farah Khan’s stories from the “Deewangi Deewangi” shoot not only highlight the logistical challenges and comedic moments of bringing together Bollywood’s biggest stars but also underscore the respect and admiration she has for their individual talents. The final product was a spectacular celebration of Bollywood, with each star adding their unique sparkle to the unforgettable song..