‘Don’ director Chandra Barot dies at 86; Amitabh Bachchan pays tribute

Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot, best known for directing the 1978 cult classic 'Don' starring Amitabh Bachchan, passed away on Sunday, July 20, at the age of 86. His wife, Deepa Barot, confirmed the news and shared that he had been unwell for some time.
Born and raised in Tanzania, Barot’s journey to Indian cinema was far from conventional. He began his career working in a bank before following his passion for films. After moving to India, he found guidance under legendary filmmaker Manoj Kumar and gradually made his way into the industry.

Barot’s contribution to Hindi cinema went beyond 'Don'. Before helming the iconic thriller, he worked as an assistant director on several classics, including 'Purab Aur Pashchim', 'Yaadgaar', 'Shor' and 'Roti Kapda Aur Makaan'. His work left an indelible mark, especially with Don, which went on to inspire remakes and sequels decades later.

Remembering Barot, Amitabh Bachchan paid a heartfelt tribute on his personal blog. He wrote that his Don director was “more a family friend than anyone else” and expressed how difficult it was to put his grief into words. Bachchan added that he could only pray for his dear friend, a sentiment that resonated with many fans of the beloved filmmaker.