Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot, best known for directing the 1978 hit film Don starring Amitabh Bachchan, passed away at the age of 86 on July 20, 2025. His wife Deepa Barot confirmed that he had been suffering from pulmonary fibrosis for the past seven years.
Don Director Chandra Barot Passes Away At 86
Chandra Barot’s most iconic work was Don, which became a cult classic over the years. The film featured Amitabh Bachchan in a double role as Don and Vijay. Other major actors in the movie included Zeenat Aman, Pran, Iftekhar, and Om Shivpuri.
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However, Don faced challenges even before its release. In a 2020 blog post, Amitabh Bachchan revealed that when Chandra Barot and the famous writer duo Salim-Javed announced the title Don, most distributors rejected it. Many thought the title was odd or even confused it with a well-known undergarment brand called “Dawn.” The word “Don” was unfamiliar to many at the time, as films like The Godfather had only just introduced the gangster concept in Indian cinema.
Despite the early doubts, Don turned out to be a huge success. Its gripping story, powerful dialogues, and catchy songs made it unforgettable. The film told the story of a dreaded criminal named Don who dies during a chase. To capture his gang, the police replace him with a lookalike, Vijay, a simple man who finds himself in a dangerous web of lies and crime.
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Before becoming a director, Chandra Barot had worked as an assistant director on several big films like Purab Aur Pachhim, Shor, and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. Besides Don, he also directed other projects such as Aashrita, Pyar Bhara Dil, and Neil Ko Pakadna… Impossible.
Barot’s contribution to Indian cinema, especially through Don, left a lasting impact. His storytelling and vision continue to inspire filmmakers today. Farhan Akhtar, who remade Don in 2006, called Chandra Barot the “OG” (original) Don director in his tribute.
Chandra Barot will always be remembered for bringing to life one of the most legendary characters in Bollywood history.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
