"To stay in the business I had to know the market and my own value in and out. That's how those films that you call substandard films happened. If I'm still around today it's because I did all those films... big small, good or bad or ugly."

Mithun's range extends from Mrinal Sen's "Mrigaya" to T.L.V. Prasad's "Jallad".

"And let's not forget I play Ramkrishna Paramhans, which got me my third National Award. So, I've played everything, from disco dancer to jallad to god... Yes, it has been a long journey."

Incidentally, Mithun had done a film called "Guru" in the 1980s.

"And I had also done a 'Guru' in Bengali. So, this is my third 'Guru'. Both in the past have been very big hits. I'm sure this will be my third successful 'Guru'... My god! Such a long journey...

"Any mistakes? See, the past is a burden that you carry. I don't think it helps you improve on your mistakes. The present and the future are what count. I don't believe in living in the past."

When asked about his landmark films, he said: "The three National Award winning films ('Mrigaya', 'Tahader Katha' and 'Ramakrishna')... then, of course, 'Disco Dancer', 'Pyar Jhutka Nahin', 'Hum Paanch', 'Mujrim'... These gave me an actor's status and made me very popular."