NEW DELHI, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government on Monday conferred the film-industry Bollywood's highest award, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, to veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, 74.
The actor-turned-politician has also been a lawmaker in the Indian parliament's upper house Rajya Sabha. Currently, he is a member of the country's main ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Chakraborty made his acting debut in the mid-1970s and contributed immensely to the country's film industry for over four decades by acting in more than 350 films in different languages.
He rose to fame in 1982 after he acted in the film "Disco Dancer." His inimitable dance moves made him a household name in the country.
The actor will be given the award at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony in New Delhi next week. ■