Renowned director Chandra Barot, known best for his cult classic, Don (1978), starring Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman, passed away on July 18, 2025, at 86 years old. Even though the film didn’t succeed at the box office upon its initial release, it gradually shaped up to be one of the most iconic thrillers of Bollywood. Despite the film’s enduring popularity, many in the industry, including veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar, feel Barot was long denied the recognition he deserved.

Javed Akhtar remembers the late director, Chandra Barot

Javed Akhtar was the co-writer of the iconic 1978 film, Don, who wrote the script alongside veteran screenwriter Salim Khan. The film, starring Amitabh Bachchan in a double role, redefined the crime thriller genre in Indian cinema. Remembering the late filmmaker, Javed expressed his grief and admiration in a conversation with Bombay Times. He recalled:

“I remember meeting him around 12-15 years ago at an event… I will always remember him as the most gentle, easy-going man with a great sense of humour. He had no ego hassles and was extremely humble. Working with him and cinematographer Nariman A Irani on Don was a great experience… I am not sure if this is the right time to say this, but he deserved far more credit for Don than he received. It was perhaps one of Amitabh’s first solo hits. Most of his previous hits were multistarrers.”

Javed Akhtar feels Barot deserved more credit for Don

When Chandra Barot released Don, it became a trendsetter in Bollywood, as it redefined the narrative style of the conventional films of the 70s. Rather than focusing on melodramatic scripts, Don stuck to a sleek storyline with a gripping pace, stylish cinematography and catchy numbers like Khaike Paan Banaras Wala. Reflecting on the film, Javed Akhtar shared:

“Don was the first caper of Hindi cinema. It was one of its kind. Like other films of those times, Don didn’t mull over melodrama, had no emotional backstory or rely on histrionics. I remember Chintu (Rishi Kapoor) saying in his classic tongue-in-cheek way, ‘The whole film looks like a trailer!’ What he meant was the film had that ‘on the move’ tempo, and it was all Barot’s vision. He invented that style, and that to me was most unique. It was a well-made film.”

The legacy of Don: from Amitabh Bachchan to Shah Rukh Khan

Don was one of Amitabh Bachchan’s earliest solo hits, which played a huge role in helping the megastar break out from multi-starrer films. Decades later, in 2006, Javed Akhtar’s son, Farhan Akhtar, remade the timeless classic with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead, and the modern version was also well-received in Bollywood’s circles. However, for Javed, Barot’s original holds a special place. He said:

“I will always be loyal to my Don. Don, for me, is the 1978 original, a film written by Salim-Javed. The films made later by Farhan are definitely successful and well-made, but I will stay loyal to my film.”

Chandra Barot, the ‘OG Don’, dies at 86

On July 18, 2025, Chandra Barot took his last breath at a Mumbai hospital. His wife, Deepa Barot, confirmed to TOI that he had been battling pulmonary fibrosis for the past seven years. After his passing, Farhan Akhtar paid tribute to the late filmmaker, calling him the ‘OG Don’ as he shared a behind-the-scenes photo of the legendary filmmaker with Amitabh Bachchan on the Don set.

Chandra Barot’s legendary legacy will forever echo in Indian cinema. 

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