Don director Chandra Barot dies at 86

Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot, who cemented his legacy with the 1978 cult classic 'Don' starring Amitabh Bachchan, died in Mumbai on Sunday. He was 86.

His wife, Deepa Barot, confirmed that the director had been suffering from pulmonary fibrosis for the last seven years. He had been receiving treatment at Guru Nanak Hospital and was earlier admitted to Jaslok Hospital, where doctors tried multiple therapies to manage his condition. Age-related complications further deteriorated his health.

Though 'Don' was his debut feature, it left an outsized mark on Hindi cinema. While the film had a modest run upon release, it soon snowballed into a cultural phenomenon -



defining the stylised crime-thriller genre in Bollywood and setting the stage for future adaptations. The film not only contributed to the mythos of Amitabh Bachchan’s stardom but also gave rise to a successful franchise, with Shah Rukh Khan leading two remakes and a third part now in the works under Farhan Akhtar’s direction.

Tributes have begun pouring in from the film industry, including Farhan Akhtar and filmmaker Kunal Kohli. Farhan, in an emotional note, hailed Barot as the “OG Don” and a true legend, extending condolences to his 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 (sic)."