Don director Chandra Barot passes away at 86
Don director Chandra Barot passes away at 86
Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot, best known for directing the iconic 1978 film Don, passed away at 86 after a seven-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was receiving treatment at Guru Nanak Hospital
Don (1978), one of the great works of Indian film, was made possible by Chandra Barot, who passed away on Sunday. The filmmaker passed away at the age of 86 after suffering from pulmonary fibrosis for the previous seven years. After announcing his passing, his wife, Deepa Barot, informed TOI, “He had been battling pulmonary fibrosis for the past seven years.” Guru Nanak Hospital was treating Barot. He had previously been admitted to Jaslok Hospital.
Barot was born and raised in Tanzania. He chose to relocate to India after working at a bank, where he began working in the film industry under Manoj Kumar’s guidance. In addition to bringing the cult classic Don to Indian cinema, Chandra served as an assistant director on Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Yaadgaar, Shor, and Purab Aur Pashchim.
After Zindagi Zindagi (1972) failed and Irani was deeply in debt, Barot and his partners made the decision to create Don. They brought in Salim-Javed, a renowned writer, who delivered a story that had been turned down by top directors like Dev Anand, Dharmendra, and Jeetendra.
Barot ventured into Regional Cinema as well after successfully delivering Don
The Bengali films Aashrita (1989) and Pyar Bhara Dil (1991) were directed by Barot after Don, although several of his later works, such as Boss and Neil Ko Pakadna… Impossible, they were never completed or released.
His Don series, however, gained such much traction that it created a universe of its own. In a 2006 tribute to Chandra’s work, Shah Rukh Khan appeared in the same-titled movie with a different plot. Shah Rukh later created a prequel to his Don, and Farhan Akhtar is currently directing the third instalment in the franchise, which stars Kriti Sanon as the female protagonist and Ranveer Singh as the hero.
Chandra Barot was receiving treatment in Mumbai for pulmonary fibrosis, which he had been fighting for a number of years, at the time of his death. His legacy will continue to motivate future generations of fans and filmmakers. The filmmaker garnered immense popularity with his list of blockbuster films.
Farhan Akhtar pens an emotional note mourning the demise of the veteran filmmaker, he wrote, “Saddened to learn that the director of the OG Don is no more. RIP Chandra Barot-ji. Deepest condolences to the family.”
News Edit KV Raman
