Chandra Barot, man behind Amitabh Bachchan’s cult classic Don, dies at 86; Farhan Akhtar remembers him

Filmmaker Chandra Barot, famous for directing the legendary 1978 film Don featuring Amitabh Bachchan, passed away on Sunday at the age of 86. Director Farhan Akhtar, who rejuvenated the franchise with Shah Rukh Khan, is now doing so once more with Ranveer Singh, offering a sincere tribute to honor his legacy. Chandra Barot passed away at a hospital in Bandra on Sunday. His spouse, Deepa Barot, verified his passing to The Times of India, stating,  “He had been battling pulmonary fibrosis for the past seven years.” She added that he was undergoing treatment at Guru Nanak Hospital under the care of Dr Manish Shetty and had also been admitted to Jaslok Hospital earlier.

Once the news of his passing emerged on social media, actor and director Farhan Akhtar was among the earliest from Bollywood to publicly express his condolences. Farhan, currently occupied with the third installment of Don, honored Chandra on Instagram, referring to him as the “OG.”

Prior to its success, Don, a screenplay by Salim-Javed, was turned down by several major stars. Subsequently, Chandra, together with Amitabh and Zeenat Aman, resolved to tackle the project of assisting a friend in overcoming their financial troubles. Chandra served as the long-time assistant director for Manoj Kumar and formed friendships with Amitabh and Zeenat while filming Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. He formed a strong connection with the film’s cinematographer, Nariman Irani, affectionately known as Bawa.

Released on May 12, 1978, Don showcased Amitabh in a dual role, portraying both a mafia leader and a humble villager. The movie turned into a hit with its lively music, memorable dialogues, and high-octane action. Farhan recreated Chandra Barot’s renowned Amitabh Bachchan film in 2006, featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Arjun Rampal, and Isha Koppikar in his version. He returned to the scene with Don 2: The King Is Back in 2011. The movie showcased Shah Rukh Khan alongside Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani, Lara Dutta, Om Puri, Nawwab Shah, Ally Khan, Sahil Shroff, and Kunal Kapoor.

Farhan will return shortly with the third part. He will present Ranveer Singh in the role of the anti-hero.