He’s a chip off the old block in the real sense. Mimoh Chakraborty has all the down-to-earth, warm qualities of his father Mithun Chakraborty that made the latter endure for three decades. Cheerful, ever-smiling and not prone to the faddish macho look common to most new faces, Mimoh also lacks the snooty attitude and brashness common to most of the star-progeny even before they take off. A welcome change, and a true daddy’s son, Mimoh comes across as the epitome of exemplary upbringing.
Excerpts from an interview:

A cliché: did you always want to be an actor, like dad?

I did not! I am immensely interested in Space Science. I love planets and I wanted to be a part of NASA. In school, they would talk about my dad, and that was my first impression of how popular dad was. But our family life was completely normal, and my becoming a star was never on the agenda. For starters, I was very fat— you cannot imagine how much! Around the time when I was 14 and beginning to feel physical attraction, I would have an armful of rakhis on Raksha Bandhan day from all the girls in my class! And I would actually be khush about this! (laughs)

So when did the great change happen?

Then much later, B Subhash, who is very close to my father from the times of Disco Dancer, called up dad and expressed a wish to work with me. I remember that even when he called I was digging into a MacDonald burger! (Laughs again)

Dad asked me to consider the option if I wanted. ‘Try a diet!'’he told me. The next 2 to 3 years went on self-discipline and diet and my motivation slowly increased as my figure started becoming normal.  So I went off for a month’s course to learn acting at the New York Film Academy.

What was dad'’s advice to you when you embarked on this career?

Dad told me to give 100 per cent to whatever I did. '’Be honest to yourself, your work and your family,’ he said. I adore the way he works— unlike many other actors who are good at specific aspects, dad is a switch-on-switch-off actor who was a dream dancer, good at action and also terrific at acting. If you have noticed, dad’s biggest asset is his range. He never prepared for any role, whether he was playing ‘Ramakrishna Paramhans’ or a goonda, but he instinctively understood his character.

Despite being a star-son you faced rough weather - your first film did not even take off, and Jimmy, which will be your first release, got delayed.

Well, two films never took off, but Jimmy wasn’t delayed. It was my first film, so I had to be satisfied with it.  We added a song later and re-shot two songs. Bappa Lahiri has composed some of the music, which is quite fitting because his father Bappi Lahiri gave my father career-defining hit songs in Suraksha and Disco Dancer.

We heard that you were injured too on the sets of this film.

Yes, I pulled a muscle on my right leg. The rehearsals were perfect after I refused a double, but during the actual shot I overdid the part! And do you know what, when I called up and told dad about it from the sets, he said, ‘Is your left leg alright?’ and when I said it was, he told me to ensure that the shooting was not interrupted. That’s how professional he is!

Are you planning your career moves?

It’s like this, someone who always plans never enjoys and vice-versa. My funda is that if I earn Rs 3000, I enjoy Rs 1500 and save the same amount. I have already signed Popcorn Entertainment’s Loot, an action comedy with Suniel Shetty, Govinda and Javed Jaffrey. I am also doing Hamilton House, a period thriller, Salim (Akhtar)’s next in which I am a rock star and a film called India Rocks.

What is Jimmy all about?

Jimmy is an action thriller. Raj N Sippy is directing it and I am paired with a new girl, Vivana, who— let me tell you—is better than me! I play a car engineer who is a DJ at night. Then one incident changes his life.

Was the title deliberate - since ‘Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy’ is a hit song of your dad?

Yes it was. Sohail Khan suggested the idea as people identify the song with dad. But by the time the film'’s shoot had ended, it became an emotional bond for me too.

Your mom Yogeeta Bali too has been a top star. What has she to say about you?

She is my frank critic. But you know what? I never watch her films— I cannot watch her romancing other heroes! With Dad, it’s okay, though that sounds chauvinistic! (Laughs)

But dad and mom did movies together - so you can watch her in them.

No way! It’s embarrassing to watch your parents romance! (Guffaws).

And who are the other actors you admire?

 I am a great fan of Sunny Deol as I am an action film buff. I love the way Hrithik Roshan and Shahid Kapoor dance. And Priyanka Chopra is my favourite actress!