Mahaakshay Chakraborty
Mahaakshay Chakraborty, also known as Mimoh Chakraborty, is an Indian actor who primarily works in Hindi films.[1] Born on 30 July 1984 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, he is the son of veteran actors Mithun Chakraborty and Yogeeta Bali.[2][1] He made his acting debut in 2008 with the film Jimmy, directed by Raj N. Sippy, which marked his entry into Bollywood despite receiving mixed reviews and underperforming at the box office.[2][3] Chakraborty's career has spanned action, thriller, and comedy genres, with notable roles in films such as Haunted – 3D (2011), Enemmy (2013) where he shared screen space with his father, Jogira Sara Ra Ra (2023), in which he portrayed an overweight nerd character, and Haunted 3D: Ghosts of the Past (2025).[2][4][5][6] Despite facing challenges like last-minute rejections from projects, he has expressed resilience in navigating Bollywood's competitive landscape, often highlighting his self-made journey without relying on nepotism.[7][5][8] In his personal life, Chakraborty married actress Madalsa Sharma in July 2018, and the couple has been open about family dynamics, including his father's influence on her career decisions.[9][10] He has also pursued interests in dance and comedy, enrolling in acting classes to refine his skills, while maintaining a low-key family-oriented lifestyle away from the industry's glamour.[11][12]Early years
Family background
Mahaakshay Chakraborty was born on 30 July 1984 in Mumbai, India, then known as Bombay.[13][14][15] He is the eldest son of veteran Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty, renowned for his iconic role in the 1982 film Disco Dancer, and actress Yogeeta Bali, who appeared in several Hindi films during the 1970s and 1980s.[1][16][17] Mahaakshay has three younger siblings: brothers Ushmey Chakraborty, a filmmaker and producer who took over the family production company Chariot Films, and Namashi Chakraborty, an actor making his mark in Bollywood; as well as an adopted sister, Dishani Chakraborty, who has pursued acting with a debut in Hollywood.[18][19][20] Raised in Mumbai within a prominent film industry family, Mahaakshay was exposed to the world of cinema from an early age due to his parents' established careers, including frequent encounters with cameras, lights, and sets.[1] His early education began at Learner's Academy in Mumbai, where he studied up to the fourth standard, before transitioning to boarding schools in Ooty, including Hillwoods and Woodside, for his higher secondary schooling.[14][21] This environment, blending urban family life with periods away at school, shaped his initial years amid the backdrop of Bollywood's glamour and challenges.[14]Education and training
Mahaakshay Chakraborty completed his early schooling at Learner's Academy in Mumbai up to the fourth standard, after which he attended boarding schools in Ooty, including Hillwoods School and Woodside School.[14] He later passed his 10th standard board exams privately in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.[14][22] For higher education in acting, Chakraborty attended the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, where he completed a four-week crash course in acting.[14][22] He also underwent an acting workshop with renowned coach Roshan Taneja and received mentorship in acting from director Babbar Subhash, known for his work on the film Disco Dancer.[14][22] Additionally, he pursued a four-week crash course in Indian classical dancing, horse riding, and kick-boxing in Chennai to build his performance skills.[14] Following his training abroad and in India, Chakraborty returned to Mumbai to pursue opportunities in Bollywood, drawing on his family's legacy in the industry while prioritizing his self-acquired preparation.[22]Professional career
Film debut and initial struggles
Mahaakshay Chakraborty, then known professionally as Mimoh Chakraborty, made his acting debut in the 2008 Hindi film Jimmy, directed by Raj N. Sippy and produced by Nawman Malik and Salman Malik.[23] In the lead role, he portrayed Jimmy, a mechanical engineer and part-time DJ who is falsely accused of murder and uncovers a larger conspiracy while imprisoned, in an action-drama that blended thriller elements with themes of injustice and redemption.[24] The film marked his entry into Bollywood at the age of 24, following acting training at the New York Film Academy.[22] The production of Jimmy featured extensive action sequences, including fight scenes and chases, alongside demands for emotional depth in portraying the protagonist's turmoil and transformation.[24] Despite these elements, the film faced significant challenges during its release, becoming a commercial failure at the box office with a low audience reception, evidenced by its 1.7/10 rating on IMDb from over 300 user reviews.[24] Critics panned the weak script, outdated storytelling, and Chakraborty's inexperienced performance, with reviews from The Times of India describing it as "yawn-inducing" and poorly directed.[25] The debut also sparked debates on nepotism, given his lineage as the son of veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, with media outlets highlighting how family ties influenced perceptions of his launch.[26] Post-Jimmy, Chakraborty encountered substantial early career hurdles, including typecasting as the "star son" and a scarcity of substantial offers, as the flop led to a professional dry spell.[27] He later shared in interviews that he isolated himself at home for nearly a year, grappling with bounced cheques, a silent phone, and intense criticism that initially fueled anger but ultimately taught resilience amid industry pressures.[28] His father, Mithun, reportedly broke down over the setback, underscoring the family's emotional toll, yet Chakraborty emphasized learning from these failures to navigate Bollywood's demands without relying on familial advantages.[3]Breakthrough and Hindi cinema roles
Mahaakshay Chakraborty's breakthrough came with the 2011 horror-thriller Haunted - 3D, directed by Vikram Bhatt, in which he played the lead role of Rehan, a young man uncovering supernatural secrets in a haunted mansion. The film marked his first major commercial success, grossing approximately ₹37 crore worldwide against a budget of ₹13 crore, establishing him as a viable lead in the genre.[29] Following this, Chakraborty appeared in the ensemble action-comedy Loot (2011), directed by Rajneesh Ghai, where he portrayed the character of Wilson, one of four bumbling thieves entangled in a high-stakes heist gone wrong, alongside stars like Govinda and Suniel Shetty.[30] He later starred in the action thriller Enemmy (2013), sharing the screen with his father Mithun Chakraborty.[31] Chakraborty's career evolved to encompass diverse genres, including horror, action-comedy, and political drama, reflecting his efforts to broaden his acting range beyond initial typecasting. In 2023, he portrayed an overweight nerd character in the comedy Jogira Sara Ra Ra. He later took on the role of Shivpal Singh Yadav in the biographical drama Main Mulayam Singh Yadav (2024), directed by Suvendu Raj Ghosh, depicting the political journey of the Yadav family in Uttar Pradesh politics.[32] In recent years, Chakraborty starred in the drama Pride (2024), directed by Pankaj Kr Virat, playing a pivotal role in a story about a middle-class girl's struggles to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor amid societal challenges.[33] He also appeared in the Hindi comedy-horror Oye Bhootni Ke (2025). He is set to reprise his association with the horror genre in the upcoming sequel Haunted 3D: Ghosts of the Past (2026), again directed by Vikram Bhatt, where he leads the cast in a spiritual follow-up exploring lingering supernatural elements from the original film, scheduled for release on January 30, 2026.[34][35] In 2023 interviews, he addressed perceptions of nepotism, asserting that it does not exist in the industry and citing his own trajectory as "living proof," emphasizing consistent hard work and audition rejections as key to his persistence.[8] This period signaled a resurgence, with multiple projects lined up, including the upcoming political thriller Mission Maajhi, underscoring his growing opportunities in Hindi cinema.Regional films and television appearances
Mahaakshay Chakraborty's entry into regional cinema began with the 2013 Bengali-language action thriller Rocky, directed by Sujit Mondal, where he played the lead role of a Mumbai-based goon evading police while on a mission in Kashmir.[36] The film, co-starring Puja Banerjee and featuring a guest appearance by his father Mithun Chakraborty, marked his debut in Bengali cinema and aimed to showcase high-octane action sequences. However, it received mixed to negative reviews, with critics noting robotic expressions and weak dialogue delivery from Chakraborty, contributing to its status as a box-office flop.[37]) Expanding further into South Indian cinema, Chakraborty made his Telugu debut with the 2025 thriller Nenekkadunna...?, directed by Madhav Kodad, portraying a lead character in a story centered on a female journalist trapped in a sinister chamber.[38][39] The film, also featuring Brahmanandam and Murali Sharma, represents his deliberate push into regional markets to gain diverse acting experience and reach new audiences beyond Hindi cinema.[40] This move aligns with his stated goal of surprising viewers through varied roles across languages.[41] In television and web series, Chakraborty appeared in the 2025 Netflix crime drama Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, created by Neeraj Pandey and set in early 2000s West Bengal, playing SIT Officer Himel Majumder amid a narrative of gangsters, corruption, and police intrigue.[42][43] The series, directed by Debatma Mandal and starring Prasenjit Chatterjee, provided him a platform in a Bengal-contextual story, earning notice for his supporting performance after a hiatus from prominent roles. Overall, these regional and television endeavors have garnered mixed critical reception but have been praised for demonstrating his versatility in action, thriller, and dramatic roles, aiding in cultivating a wider fanbase across India's linguistic cinemas.[43][37]Other ventures
Mahaakshay Chakraborty has diversified his professional pursuits into the hospitality sector, where he is professionally recognized as a hotelier alongside his acting career. Since the early 2010s, various profiles have listed him in this capacity, highlighting his involvement in managing family-owned properties.[15][22] He serves as the Managing Director of The Monarch Hotel in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, a property under the Mithun Group of Hotels established by his father, Mithun Chakraborty. Located amid the Nilgiri hills, the hotel offers accommodations in a serene, green setting and reflects the family's commitment to hospitality ventures. Chakraborty's role involves overseeing operations, contributing to the property's reputation as a tranquil retreat for visitors.[44][45] This business engagement provides stability amid the fluctuations of his film work, allowing him to balance management responsibilities with acting opportunities. As of 2025, he maintains part-time involvement in the hotel while focusing on potential comebacks in cinema.[46]Personal life
Marriage and children
Mahaakshay Chakraborty married actress Madalsa Sharma on 10 July 2018 in a private ceremony in Ooty.[47] The couple had been dating for several years prior to their wedding, having met around 2015.[48] Madalsa Sharma hails from a film family as the daughter of actress Sheela Sharma and writer-director Subhash Sharma.[49] Chakraborty and Sharma lead a low-key family life together in Mumbai, prioritizing privacy in their personal affairs while occasionally sharing glimpses of their relationship on social media.[50] Mithun Chakraborty, Chakraborty's father, has been notably supportive of his daughter-in-law's acting career, often engaging in family activities like cooking for them during visits.[51] As of 2024, the couple has no children and has expressed a deliberate approach to family planning, focusing on mental readiness before expanding their family.[52]Legal controversies
In July 2018, a Delhi court ordered the registration of an FIR against Mahaakshay Chakraborty and his mother Yogeeta Bali following a complaint by a woman alleging rape on the pretext of marriage, cheating, and causing miscarriage without consent.[53] The complainant claimed the incidents occurred in Mumbai in 2015, including being drugged and assaulted, with subsequent threats from Yogeeta Bali to terminate the pregnancy.[54] Chakraborty was granted anticipatory bail by the Delhi court shortly after, and his wedding to actress Madalsa Sharma proceeded on July 10, 2018, in Ooty after a brief postponement.[55][47] On October 17, 2020, Mumbai Police registered another FIR at Oshiwara Police Station against Chakraborty and Yogeeta Bali, based on a complaint from a 38-year-old Bhojpuri actress alleging repeated rape over three years on false promises of marriage, along with intimidation, threats, and coercion to undergo an abortion.[56] The actress claimed the abuse began in 2017 and involved physical assault and administration of harmful substances, with Yogeeta Bali allegedly complicit in the threats.[57] The case was filed under sections for rape, criminal intimidation, and cheating of the Indian Penal Code.[58] Both cases underwent police investigations, but as of 2025, no convictions have been reported, with proceedings either ongoing or unresolved in public records.[59] Chakraborty has consistently denied the allegations, describing them as false and motivated by ulterior motives, as supported by statements from his family and legal team during bail hearings.[60] These controversies drew significant media attention, amplifying discussions on accountability, nepotism, and ethical conduct among Bollywood figures from influential families.[61]Filmography
Feature films
Mahaakshay Chakraborty's feature film career spans Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, and other regional cinema, with a focus on lead roles in action, horror, and thriller genres. His debut and early works were primarily in Hindi films, where he explored diverse characters, including supernatural elements in horror projects. Notable among these is his portrayal in the horror genre, particularly the Haunted series, which marked a commercial success. Later, he ventured into Bengali cinema and biographical dramas, while recent years have seen him take on lead roles in political thrillers and upcoming multilingual projects. Following a period of selective appearances, Chakraborty bagged multiple projects in 2023, resulting in several releases and announcements for 2024 and 2025.[62]| Year | Title | Language | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Jimmy | Hindi | Jasminder 'Jimmy' Kumar R. Pushp (lead) | Debut film; romantic drama that underperformed at the box office, grossing approximately ₹1.34 crore nett in India.[63][24] |
| 2011 | Haunted – 3D | Hindi | Rehan Ahmed (lead) | Supernatural horror thriller, India's first stereoscopic 3D horror film; commercially successful, grossing ₹26.39 crore nett in India and serving as his highest-grossing project to date.[29][64] |
| 2011 | Loot | Hindi | Wilson (supporting) | Action thriller heist film.[65] |
| 2013 | Enemmy | Hindi | Madhav Sinha / Maddy (supporting) | Action thriller involving undercover cops; dual role as CID officer.[66][67] |
| 2013 | Rocky | Bengali | Rocky (lead) | Action thriller, marking his debut in Bengali cinema; remake of Telugu film Oosaravelli.[36][68] |
| 2015 | Ishqedarriyaan | Hindi | Agam Diwan (lead) | Romantic drama.[63] |
| 2023 | Jogira Sara Ra Ra | Hindi | Supporting (overweight nerd) | Comedy-drama released on May 26, 2023. |
| 2024 | Main Mulayam Singh Yadav | Hindi | Shivpal Singh Yadav (supporting) | Biographical political drama on Mulayam Singh Yadav's life; released on July 26, 2024 after multiple delays.[32] |
| 2024 | Pride | Hindi | Supporting | Drama released on July 26, 2024; story of aspiring doctor Nandini.[69] |
| 2025 | Oye Bhootni Ke | Hindi | Amit Bhosale | Comedy-horror drama involving rivalry and supernatural elements; released on April 25, 2025.[70][71] |
| 2025 | Nenekkadunna | Telugu | Anand (lead) | Action thriller, marking his Telugu debut; released on February 28, 2025.[38] |
| TBD | Mission Maajhi | Hindi | Lead (political-action thriller) | Shot in locations like Jaunpur; focuses on political intrigue; filming completed in 2023, release pending as of 2025.[72][62] |
| 2026 | Haunted 3D: Ghosts of the Past | Hindi | Lead | Spiritual sequel to Haunted – 3D; supernatural horror thriller directed by Vikram Bhatt, scheduled for January 30, 2026 release after postponement.[34][35] |