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Pink Villa
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Who was Chandra Barot? Filmmaker who began as banker in Tanzania, directed cult classic Don and breathed his last at 86
The unfortunate news about 1978's Don director, Chandra Barot, passing away left everyone in a state of shock. The filmmaker was battling Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis for the past 11 years and breathed his last on 20 July at a hospital in Mumbai. We have all heard of and seen his cult classic Don, but do you know the story behind his journey from Tanzania to Bollywood and his rise to stardom? Keep scrolling further to know about it. Entry in Bollywood Chandra Barot was born in Tanzania, where he worked in a bank. Later, he had to migrate to India due to radical tensions in the 1960s. He began his Bollywood career as an Assistant director, working with Manoj Kumar on films such as Purab Aur Pachhim, Yaadgaar, Shor, and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. How Don came into the picture Almost everyone knows that the late Chandra Barot directed Don. Reportedly, the film starring Amitabh Bachchan was conceived to assist producer Nariman Irani, who was in massive debt after a flop. The script of Don, written by Salim-Javed, was brought to Barot, but it was rejected by other leading actors. Later, the megastar came on board. Don went on to become such a massive hit that the profits made by the film were used to settle Irani's debts. Big B's film was shot on a modest budget of approximately 0.84 crore. A lesser-known fact about the movie is that the song Khaike Paan Banaraswala was added at Manoj Kumar's advice. No one had imagined, even in their wildest dreams, that this would go on to become so popular among fans. Don was loved so much and became such a big hit that it sparked remakes in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and an entire franchise in Bollywood. In fact, we are all eagerly awaiting the release of Don 3, starring Ranveer Singh in the lead. His fight with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Chandra Barot was fighting Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis for around 11 years. On 20 July, he was admitted to Guru Nanak Hospital in Mumbai, where he passed away at the age of 86 after suffering a cardiac arrest following a chest infection. Although Chandra Barot is no longer with us, his legacy will remain with all cinema lovers forever.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Amitabh Bachchan pens heartfelt note to ‘Don' director Chandra Barot
Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot, best known for directing the 1978 Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Don, passed away on Sunday (July 20, 2025) due to cardiac arrest at a hospital in Mumbai, his family said. He was 86. After the announcement of Barot's passing, tributes poured in from several Bollywood personalities, including megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who described the filmmaker as his "dear dear friend". ALSO READ:Amitabh Bachchan confirms son Abhishek Bachchan's role as antagonist in Shah Rukh Khan's 'King' Barot was battling 'Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis' (IPF-fibrosis of lungs) for the last 11 years and had been receiving treatment at the Guru Nanak Hospital, as per his family. Chandra Barot is survived by his wife and a son. In a heartfelt note, Bachchan said he was deeply saddened by the passing of his close friend Barot. "Another and another sad moment .. 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," the 82-year-old actor wrote on his blog. ALSO READ:Re-written by Salim-Javed Before making his directorial debut with Don, Barot served as an assistant director to actor-director Manoj Kumar in Purab Aur Pachhim, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, Yaadgaar, and Shor. After Don, Chandra Barot directed a Bengali film - Aashrita (1989). Released in May 1978, Don, featuring Amitabh Bachchan in a double role – that of a mafioso and a simpleton – went on to become a blockbuster with its racy music, iconic dialogues and pulsating action. One of the most celebrated films of Chandra Barot's career, Don had its fair share of ups and downs. On the 40th anniversary of the movie in 2018, Chandra Barot in an interview with PTI shared an interesting insight that he, along with his friends Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman and Pran – all three who featured in 'Don' – decided to make the film to pull one of their producer friends, Nariman Irani, out of debt. 'Bawa's (Irani) wife was a hairdresser and knew writer Salim Khan. We asked her to put in a word for us. When we met Salim, he didn't have a script ready but told us, 'There is one subject which no one understands'. "We said, 'we don't care, we just want 'Salim-Javed' written on the posters'. It was a ready script and we took it immediately. It didn't even have a title. Everyone in the industry called it 'Don waali script' (A script about a don),' Chandra Barot had recalled. Sadly, Irani passed away six months before the release of Don, he added. The filmmaker also revealed that many big stars in the industry, including Dharmendra, Jeetendra and Dev Anand, had refused the movie, which was one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 1978. Don was turned into a franchise by filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, son of Javed Akhtar, who had written the original script of the movie along with Salim Khan. Film industry colleagues took to social media to mourn Chandra Barot's death, remembering him as a wonderful filmmaker who made one of the most entertaining Hindi movies – Don.
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Amitabh Bachchan Mourns Don Director Chandra Barots Demise, Pens Emotional Note
Mumbai: Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan has mourned the passing of Chandra Barot, the director of his iconic 1978 film, 'Don.' Barot, who was 86, passed away on Sunday morning. In a blog post, the 'Zanjeer' actor extended his prayers in an emotional note as he remembered Barot as his family friend. "Another and another sad moment... 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," Big B wrote in his post. Chandra Barot made his directorial debut with Don in 1978. The film, starring Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role, has gained cult status over the years. The movie's popularity led to several remakes and sequels, including the Don franchise featuring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead. The remake was directed by Farhan Akhtar, and also starred Priyanka Chopra. Its sequel, also helmed by Akhtar, was released in 2011. Apart from Don, Chandra Barot was also known for directing Aashrita in 1989. Earlier, Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar also mourned the death of 'Don' director Chandra Barot. Taking to his Instagram, Farhan Akhtar paid tribute to the filmmaker by calling him the "OG Don". He also expressed his condolences to Barot's family. His post read, "Saddened to learn that the director of the OG Don is no more. RIP Chandra Barot-ji. Deepest condolences to the family." Celebrities like Farah Khan and Isha Koppikar reacted to the post. Apart from 'Don,' Chandra Barot assisted on films like 'Purab Aur Pachhim,' 'Yaadgaar,' 'Roti Kapada Aur Makaan,' and 'Shor.' He also directed the 1989 Bengali film, 'Aashrita.'
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
‘Don' director Chandra Barot dies at 86; film fraternity mourns his demise
Last Updated: Mumbai, Jul 20 (PTI) Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot, best known for directing the 1978 Amitabh Bachchan-starrer 'Don", passed away on Sunday due to cardiac arrest at a hospital in Mumbai, his family said. He was 86. Barot was battling 'Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis' (IPF-fibrosis of lungs) for the last 11 years and had been receiving treatment at the Guru Nanak Hospital, as per his family. 'Chandra passed away at the Guru Nanak Hospital this morning at 6.30 due to cardiac arrest caused by a chest infection. He had IPF, which is fibrosis of the lungs, for the past 11 years," his wife Deepa Barot told PTI. Before making his directorial debut with 'Don", the filmmaker served as an assistant director to actor-director Manoj Kumar in 'Purab Aur Pachhim", 'Roti Kapada Aur Makaan", 'Yaadgaar", and 'Shor". After 'Don", Chandra Barot directed a Bengali film – 'Aashrita" (1989). Released in May 1978, 'Don", featuring megastar Amitabh Bachchan in a double role — that of a mafioso and a simpleton — went on to become a blockbuster with its racy music, iconic dialogues and pulsating action. One of the most celebrated films of Chandra Barot's career, 'Don" had its fair share of ups and downs. On the 40th anniversary of the movie in 2018, Chandra Barot in an interview with PTI shared an interesting insight that he, along with his friends Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman and Pran – all three who featured in 'Don" — decided to make the film to pull one of their producer friends, Nariman Irani, out of debt. 'Bawa's (Irani) wife was a hairdresser and knew writer Salim Khan. We asked her to put in a word for us. When we met Salim, he didn't have a script ready but told us, 'There is one subject which no one understands'. 'We said 'we don't care, we just want 'Salim-Javed' written on the posters'. It was a ready script and we took it immediately. It didn't even have a title. Everyone in the industry called it 'Don waali script'," Chandra Barot had recalled. Sadly, Irani passed away six months before the release of 'Don", he added. The filmmaker also revealed that many big stars in the industry, including Dharmendra, Jeetendra and Dev Anand, had refused the movie, which was one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 1978. Chandra Barot is survived by his wife and a son. 'Don" was turned into a franchise by filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, son of Javed Akhtar, who had written the original script of the movie along with Salim Khan. Film industry colleagues took to social media to mourn Chandra Barot's death, remembering him as a wonderful filmmaker who made one of the most entertaining Hindi movies – 'Don". Farhan Akhtar paid tribute to the 'OG' 'Don" filmmaker on Instagram. 'Saddened to learn that the director of the OG Don is no more. RIP Chandra Barot-ji. Deepest condolences to the family," said the actor-filmmaker. Farhan Akhtar's Excel Entertainment bought the rights to the 1978 film and directed it in 2006, with superstar Shah Rukh Khan playing the titular role. He made the follow-up movie 'Don 2" in 2011. The third part of the franchise will see actor Ranveer Singh stepping into the shoes of Khan. Filmmaker Kunal Kohli fondly remembered assisting the late director on an unreleased movie, 'Boss", starring Vinod Khanna. 'Chandra ji RIP sir. The only director I assisted. Not in 'Don'. For a film with Vinod Khanna called 'Boss' that never saw the light of day. But what an enriching experience working with him. Heard so many BTS stories of 'Don'," Kohli said on X. 'I sided bunk college and assisted Chandra ji. Remarkably sharp man. Lovely person. Had a very enlightening and fun chat with him. Thank you, sir, for giving us #Don Indian cinemas' most stylish films to date," he added. Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta thanked Barot for making 'Don", which he described as one of the most entertaining Hindi movies ever made. 'Rest In Peace, Chandra Barot Sir. Many thanks for DON. One of the most entertaining Hindi films ever," he said. PTI KKP GK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
‘Don' Director Chandra Barot Passes Away At 86, Wife Confirms Long Battle With Pulmonary Fibrosis
Last Updated: Chandra Barot, director of the 1978 film Don, passed away at 86. His wife, Deepa Barot, confirmed he had been battling pulmonary fibrosis for seven years. The director of the 1978 cult classic film, Don, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Chandra Barot, passed away at the age of 86 on Sunday, July 20. His demise has sent shockwaves through the film industry. It was his wife, Deepa Barot, who confirmed the news of his passing and revealed that he had not been keeping well for a while. While speaking to TOI, Deepa Barot confirmed, 'He had been battling pulmonary fibrosis for the past seven years." She further revealed that the veteran filmmaker was undergoing treatment at Guru Nanak Hospital under Dr Manish Shetty. He had also been admitted to Jaslok Hospital earlier. Barot was born and raised in Tanzania. After working at a bank, he decided to move to India and, under the mentorship of Manoj Kumar, joined the film industry. Chandra not only gave Indian cinema the cult classic Don but also worked as an assistant director on films like Purab Aur Pashchim, Yaadgaar, Shor, and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. Marking a major turning point, Barot and his associates decided to produce Don, bringing on board acclaimed writers Salim–Javed, who provided a script that had been rejected by leading filmmakers like Dev Anand, Dharmendra, and Jeetendra. After Don, Barot directed the Bengali film Aashrita (1989) and Pyar Bhara Dil (1991), but many of his subsequent projects, including Boss and Neil Ko Pakadna… Impossible, remained unfinished or unreleased. Meanwhile, his Don franchise became so popular that it developed its own universe. Shah Rukh Khan starred in the 2006 film of the same title but with a different storyline—an ode to Chandra's work. Later, Shah Rukh made a prequel to his Don, and now Farhan Akhtar is directing the third part in the franchise with Ranveer Singh playing the hero and Kriti Sanon starring as the female lead. At the time of his passing, Chandra Barot had been battling pulmonary fibrosis for several years and was undergoing treatment in Mumbai. He leaves behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations of filmmakers and fans alike. First Published:
