Amitabh Bachchan mourns 'Don' director Chandra Barot: ‘More a family friend than anything else’

Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot, best known for directing the 1978 cult film Don starring Amitabh Bachchan, passed away on Sunday, July 20. He was 86 and had been battling pulmonary fibrosis for several years. His passing has left a deep impact across the film fraternity.

Barot’s wife, Deepa Barot, confirmed the news, stating that he had been undergoing treatment for the past seven years. He had received care at Jaslok Hospital and was later admitted to Guru Nanak Hospital, under the supervision of Dr. Manish Shetty.

Amitabh Bachchan, who worked closely with Barot on Don, expressed his grief through a heartfelt blog post. “Another and another sad moment,” he began, reflecting on their long-standing relationship. “Dear dear friend and my director of Don – Chandra Barot passed away this morning… It is difficult to put in words the loss… we worked together, yes, but he was more a family friend than any else… I can only pray.”

Farhan Akhtar, who reintroduced the Don franchise in 2006 with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead, also paid tribute. He shared a photo of Barot on Instagram, writing, “Saddened to learn that the director of the OG Don is no more. RIP Chandra Barot-ji. Deepest condolences to the family.”

Farhan is currently working on the third film in the franchise, which now stars Ranveer Singh and Kriti Sanon. Earlier, Kiara Advani was signed to play the female lead. However, she opted out of the project after the birth of her daughter with actor Sidharth Malhotra. Kriti Sanon has since stepped in to take her place.

Barot’s contribution to Hindi cinema is often associated with Don, a film that became iconic not just for its story but also its music and Bachchan’s dual role. The film remains a benchmark in the thriller genre even decades later.

His loss is being felt beyond his professional legacy. To those who knew him, Chandra Barot was more than just a filmmaker—he was family.