New Delhi, September 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Veteran actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty has taken on a new role in public life as Cultural Adviser to the West Bengal government, bringing his decades-long association with cinema into initiatives focused on culture, tourism and sports.
The actor, popularly known as “Mithunda”, has recently been involved in promoting measures to revive West Bengal’s film industry, while also advocating tourism development in the Sunderbans and projects aimed at strengthening the state’s sporting ecosystem.
One of his early recommendations has been a reported 30 per cent subsidy for films shot in West Bengal. The proposal is aimed at encouraging filmmakers to return to the state and revive its position as a major centre of Indian cinema. Chakraborty has also stressed the potential of West Bengal’s mountains, coastline and cultural heritage as locations for film production.
Beyond cinema, he has backed plans to promote tourism in the Sunderbans by leveraging its distinctive mangrove ecosystem and wildlife. However, reports of a proposed resort in the region have drawn concerns from environmental activists, with no official confirmation yet regarding such a project.
Chakraborty has also turned his attention to football. On Monday, he announced plans to revive the “Bengal Football Academy” in New Town, Kolkata, accompanied by a group of former footballers. The initiative seeks to nurture young talent and build structured pathways for aspiring players in a state with a deep-rooted football culture.
Chakraborty’s latest public role marks a significant extension of his political journey. Born in Kolkata in 1950, he rose from humble beginnings to become one of India’s most celebrated actors. His breakthrough came with Mrigayaa in 1976, for which he won the National Film Award for Best Actor.
He went on to become a household name during the 1980s and 1990s with films such as Disco Dancer and Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki, besides a substantial body of Bengali cinema. His recent performances in films including Projapati and Kabuliwala have also received appreciation.
His political journey has included an association with the Trinamool Congress and a brief stint as a Rajya Sabha member before his resignation
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