The story sounds like a plot from an emotional Bollywood film — a legendary actor, a sprawling farmhouse, and over a hundred furry companions. But this is no movie. This is the real life of Mithun Chakraborty, one of India’s most celebrated actors, who stunned the nation by leaving ₹45 crore of his fortune to his dogs.

For those who have followed his career, Mithun “Disco Dancer” Chakraborty is not just a superstar of the 70s and 80s. He is a man of surprising depth, eccentricities, and a heart that beats loudly for animals. Especially dogs.

When the news broke, many thought it was a rumor. Social media was flooded with disbelief. Fans were sharing memes. TV anchors were debating. Could it really be true that the man who has ruled the silver screen had also become the ultimate “dog dad”?

It all started when Mithun’s daughter-in-law, actress Madalsa Sharma, casually mentioned in an interview that her father-in-law had named his dogs as beneficiaries in his will. She spoke warmly, almost proudly, about how much Mithun loved them. But the figure she revealed — ₹45 crore — took everyone by surprise.

For perspective, that’s a sum larger than what many Bollywood actors earn in a lifetime. It’s enough to buy a fleet of luxury cars, a private island, or even finance an entire movie. But for Mithun, it was an investment in loyalty — in the creatures who, as he says, “never lie, never betray, and never forget who you are.”

Mithun owns 116 dogs. Not one or two. Not even ten. A hundred and sixteen. Each one with a name, a personality, and a place in his heart. They live on his sprawling 1.5-acre farmhouse near Mumbai’s Madh Island.

The property is not just a kennel. It is a canine paradise. Each dog has its own private room — yes, an actual room — equipped with toys, food areas, and even medical facilities. The rooms are cleaned daily by a team of caretakers, many of whom have worked with Mithun for decades.

When you step onto the farmhouse grounds, you don’t hear the chaos of barking. You hear joy. The dogs run freely in open lawns, splash in small pools, and play under the shade of coconut trees.

Mithun is said to visit them as often as his schedule allows. And when he does, the reunion scenes are nothing short of cinematic. The dogs rush toward him, tails wagging furiously, some jumping up to lick his face. He laughs, talks to them, and often brings treats from the city.

His love for animals isn’t a recent passion. Those who knew him in his early years remember how he would rescue strays from the streets of Kolkata. Even when he was struggling as an actor, living in a tiny rented room, he always found a way to share his food with a dog.

Over the years, as his career skyrocketed and his wealth grew, his compassion never faded. In fact, it only expanded. He adopted more dogs — not just pedigrees from breeders, but also injured and abandoned street dogs.

This is what makes his story even more touching. While many celebrities flaunt their purebred pets, Mithun’s pack includes stray dogs he has given a second chance at life.

The ₹45 crore fortune he left for them is not just about food and shelter. It’s about ensuring that even after he is gone, they will live in dignity and comfort.

The news came at a time when India was in the middle of a heated debate over stray dogs. A Supreme Court order had directed that stray dogs in Delhi NCR be rounded up and sent to shelters within eight weeks. The ruling sparked outrage among animal lovers, activists, and celebrities alike.

Bollywood stars like Janhvi Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and John Abraham voiced strong opposition, arguing that sterilization and vaccination were humane solutions. Locking strays in shelter homes, they said, was cruel.

Mithun didn’t just speak. He acted. By securing his dogs’ future, he was making a statement — that animals deserve the same love, care, and respect as humans.

In the farmhouse, no expense is spared. Imported dog food, regular vet checkups, specialized play areas — everything is meticulously planned. There are even luxury “dog rooms” designed with temperature control for breeds that can’t handle India’s summer heat.

It’s not just about the expensive setup. It’s about the philosophy behind it. Mithun believes that the way you treat animals reflects your soul. And in his case, his soul is a sanctuary for creatures who have no voice of their own.

Madalsa Sharma’s revelation also included another detail — that Mithun travels with his dogs. When he takes vacations, he brings some of them along, hiring extra staff to ensure their comfort on the journey.

Fans recall spotting him at airports with dogs in tow. No designer handbag. No entourage of stylists. Just Mithun in casual clothes, with a leash in one hand and a warm smile on his face.

This deep connection isn’t lost on his family. His children grew up surrounded by animals, learning compassion firsthand. Madalsa often says that her father-in-law’s kindness to dogs has influenced the whole family’s attitude toward all living beings.

It’s rare in Bollywood to see such a personal cause take precedence over the glamour of parties, premieres, and red carpets. But then again, Mithun has always been different.

Even his choice to live partially away from the city reflects his preference for a quieter, more grounded life. His farmhouse is not a showpiece for magazine spreads. It is a living, breathing ecosystem of love.

The ₹45 crore inheritance sparked debates. Some questioned whether it was “too much” for animals. Others defended him fiercely, saying that it was his money and his right to spend it on those he loved.

Animal rights groups applauded him, calling his gesture groundbreaking in a country where pets are often abandoned when they become old or sick.

For Mithun, it wasn’t about making headlines. Those close to him say he never intended for this to become public knowledge. The will was simply his way of keeping a promise — that he would protect his dogs for as long as they lived.

The farmhouse at Madh Island continues to buzz with life. Puppies are born, older dogs lounge in the shade, and caretakers move about with bowls of food and fresh water.

Some of the dogs have heartwarming backstories — a Labrador rescued from a film set, a stray found injured near a railway station, a German Shepherd abandoned by its previous owners. Each one has found not just shelter, but a family.

Mithun’s story has inspired many of his fans to adopt rather than buy pets. Animal adoption drives in Mumbai have reported increased interest since the news broke.

The Supreme Court ruling on stray dogs remains a divisive issue, but the discussion it sparked has given animal welfare more visibility in mainstream conversation.

Perhaps that is the real legacy Mithun is leaving — not just the money, but the message that compassion is worth more than any fortune.

And for his 116 dogs, the message is even simpler. In a world where loyalty is rare, their human proved that his love was unconditional, unshakable, and eternal.