Picture by Pradip Sanyal

Mithun Chakraborty threw a father’s protective arm around eldest son Mimoh as he settled down to talk about his Tollywood debut, an untitled film produced by Shree Venkatesh Films, late last week. A t2 chat with the father-son duo…

You have started writing your name as Mahaakshay instead of Mimoh. Why?

Mimoh: Mimoh is my pet name and Mahaakshay is my proper name. I am working with Vikram Bhatt in Haunted and he insisted that I use Mahaakshay, not Mimoh. So now I am only Mahaakshay!

Are you looking at a long-term career in Tollywood?

Mimoh: Absolutely. I love working in films, I love putting on make-up, I love hearing ‘action’ and ‘cut’. I love doing my hair and it doesn’t matter which language it is as long as I hear ‘action’ and ‘cut’. It’s my dream to work in at least every language of India.

Mithun: After being in the Bengali film industry for such a long time, I get a lot of love and respect and that’s why Mimoh has to do a Bengali film. I do at least one Bengali film a year and I have asked Mimoh to do so too. He has to do that. He has to do Bengali films for me. He can also do a Punjabi film sometime to satisfy his mother (Yogita Bali)! (Laughs.)

How are you preparing for the film? Can you speak Bangla?

Mimoh: Ami Bengali khub bhalo boli na kintu khub khub bhalo bujhi! I will do a workshop not only for my acting but also for my diction because I will dub for the film. I will even attend workshops for the fights and dance scenes. I want to give the Bengali audience what they want because again it’s a new thing for me, a new beginning. I did make mistakes in the past (referring to his debut debacle Jimmy) and I don’t want to repeat them.

Mithun: I have seen his work in Haunted, though not the entire film, and I really liked him. I am very happy. Every actor grows with time, you know, ekdine toh boro howa jaye na. But whatever I have seen of him he has done a very good job.

Apparently you are learning taekwondo for the film…

Mimoh: I am doing mixed martial arts actually. It’s a new kind of sport which has come to India. In fact, very few people know about it. I have been doing taekwondo, karate and kung fu, but mixed martial arts is different. I do it three-four days a week and somehow my shoulder or leg get bruised, but it’s the next level of endurance. I am also trying to watch a lot of Bengali channels and films because I need to know what’s working and what’s not working. I just can’t come here blindfolded. (Shooting starts in May.)

Mithun: Mimoh is really working very hard and why not? After all it’s a Bengali film and it’s a huge responsibility. There’s huge competition and he must be prepared. I am proud of Mimoh because he has knocked on every producer-director’s door for work. He gave auditions all by himself. I have no credit in whatever films Mimoh has done so far. He has done it on his merit. But I am a very good father too. Ask him.

Mimoh: Oh, he is an excellent father!

Mithun: All my four children are proud of me kenona poishata amar pocket theke beroy toh oi jonyo. I know it very well!

Mimoh, does the failure of Jimmy bother you?

Mimoh: It’s the truth. Because that’s what has happened. I mean no matter how much I sugar-coat it, people will always talk about Jimmy and my failure, they will always say that I am a loser! But that is what gives me strength. People’s negativity boosts me to become positive and I say, yes I will show everyone. It helps me become a stronger person, the person I want to be today.

Has Mithun given you any advice on Tollywood?

Mimoh: He just told me to be honest. That’s it. He told me whether it’s your work, acting or family or yourself, just look into the mirror and say yes you have given your 100 per cent because nothing beats honesty.

Mithun: I never give him any advice. I don’t believe in giving advice. My only advice to him is be a good human being. As a father whenever he wants me I am there, but when he is in the industry he has to fight his own battle.

Is Mithun part of the film too?

Mimoh: Well, that’s a surprise, I cannot disclose it now!

Mithun: No, I am too hot! Actually Mimoh feels that every heroine looks at me and not him, so for this film at least I want to give him a chance!

Mimoh: This is a problem for me. Whenever Mithun is around, heroines just look through me and stare at him!

Mithun: It happens. You have to add some colour to your character, Mimoh! The moment you get the colour everything changes and that comes with time. Actually, I am not there in the story but I am doing Goonda Fatakesto, a sequel to Minister Fatakesto with Venkatesh and Mimoh doesn’t star in that film.

Would you like to play a character like Fatakesto?

Mimoh: Oh yes. I really want the crowd to say that one line I would say in the film (he meant ‘Maarbo ekhane laash porbe shoshaney’). It would be a dream come true for me. Definitely the time will come and I will have certain types of roles where I can say one line and the audience will repeat it. It’s a high for any actor.

Mithun: I think Mimoh has the potential to become a commercial hero. He is terrific in the fight sequences and he is a terrific dancer. He is a better dancer than me, he can beat me anytime. He is a treat to watch when he dances. Ekhon luck-ta commercial holei holo aar ki! But I am sure he will match my success. In fact anybody who is talented can be successful.