Don director Chandra Barot, the man behind Amitabh Bachchan’s hit, dies at 86

Chandra Barot, the man who directed the 1978 classic Don, died on July 20 at the age of 86. His wife, Deepa Barot, confirmed that he had been battling pulmonary fibrosis for the past seven years. He had been receiving treatment in Mumbai under Dr Manish Shetty at Guru Nanak Hospital and had also spent time under medical care at Jaslok Hospital.

Barot’s passing has led to an outpouring of memories and tributes from the film industry. Known for his sharp eye and determination, he carved his place in Hindi cinema with just a few projects, though Don remains his most iconic work.

Barot was born in Tanzania and initially worked in banking before shifting to India to pursue a career in films. Under the mentorship of Manoj Kumar, he assisted on several films, including Purab Aur Pashchim, Yaadgaar, Shor, and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. These early experiences helped him build the skills he later brought to his directorial debut.

The journey to Don was not easy. The film’s script, written by Salim–Javed, had been turned down by major actors like Dev Anand, Jeetendra, and Dharmendra. Still, Barot and his team took a chance on it. With Amitabh Bachchan in the lead, Don became a box-office success and eventually, a cult film in Indian cinema.

After the success of Don, Barot went on to direct Aashrita in Bengali (1989) and Pyar Bhara Dil (1991). However, many of his later projects, including Boss and Neil Ko Pakadna… Impossible, either remained incomplete or unreleased.

Despite a short directorial filmography, the influence of Don lasted. The story was revived in 2006 with Shah Rukh Khan’s version, which paid homage to Barot’s original. That version too developed into a franchise, with Farhan Akhtar now directing its third installment starring Ranveer Singh and Kriti Sanon.

Barot’s death marks the end of a chapter in Hindi cinema. His contribution to one of Bollywood’s most enduring franchises remains undeniable.