Latest news with #Barot
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Amitabh Bachchan pens heartfelt note to ‘Don' director Chandra Barot
Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot, best known for directing the 1978 Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Don, passed away on Sunday (July 20, 2025) due to cardiac arrest at a hospital in Mumbai, his family said. He was 86. After the announcement of Barot's passing, tributes poured in from several Bollywood personalities, including megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who described the filmmaker as his "dear dear friend". ALSO READ:Amitabh Bachchan confirms son Abhishek Bachchan's role as antagonist in Shah Rukh Khan's 'King' Barot was battling 'Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis' (IPF-fibrosis of lungs) for the last 11 years and had been receiving treatment at the Guru Nanak Hospital, as per his family. Chandra Barot is survived by his wife and a son. In a heartfelt note, Bachchan said he was deeply saddened by the passing of his close friend Barot. "Another and another sad moment .. Dear dear friend and my director of DON - Chandra Barot passed away this morning. "It is difficult to put in words the loss. We worked together, yes, but he was more a family friend than any else ..I can only pray," the 82-year-old actor wrote on his blog. ALSO READ:Re-written by Salim-Javed Before making his directorial debut with Don, Barot served as an assistant director to actor-director Manoj Kumar in Purab Aur Pachhim, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, Yaadgaar, and Shor. After Don, Chandra Barot directed a Bengali film - Aashrita (1989). Released in May 1978, Don, featuring Amitabh Bachchan in a double role – that of a mafioso and a simpleton – went on to become a blockbuster with its racy music, iconic dialogues and pulsating action. One of the most celebrated films of Chandra Barot's career, Don had its fair share of ups and downs. On the 40th anniversary of the movie in 2018, Chandra Barot in an interview with PTI shared an interesting insight that he, along with his friends Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman and Pran – all three who featured in 'Don' – decided to make the film to pull one of their producer friends, Nariman Irani, out of debt. 'Bawa's (Irani) wife was a hairdresser and knew writer Salim Khan. We asked her to put in a word for us. When we met Salim, he didn't have a script ready but told us, 'There is one subject which no one understands'. "We said, 'we don't care, we just want 'Salim-Javed' written on the posters'. It was a ready script and we took it immediately. It didn't even have a title. Everyone in the industry called it 'Don waali script' (A script about a don),' Chandra Barot had recalled. Sadly, Irani passed away six months before the release of Don, he added. The filmmaker also revealed that many big stars in the industry, including Dharmendra, Jeetendra and Dev Anand, had refused the movie, which was one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 1978. Don was turned into a franchise by filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, son of Javed Akhtar, who had written the original script of the movie along with Salim Khan. Film industry colleagues took to social media to mourn Chandra Barot's death, remembering him as a wonderful filmmaker who made one of the most entertaining Hindi movies – Don.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Chandra Barot, original ‘Don' director, passes away at 86
Mumbai: Film director Chandra Barot , best known for the blockbuster classic, Don (1978), which prompted multiple remakes in southern languages and spawned a series of sequels decades later, passed away due to medical complications at Guru Nanak Hospital in Bandra (east) on Sunday. He was 86. "My husband was suffering from pulmonary fibrosis for the past seven years. He died due to a cardiac arrest at 6.30 am,'' his wife Deepa Barot told TOI. Barot also directed the Bengali superhit, 'Ashrita' (1990), starring Mithu Mukherjee. Barot's family lived in Tanzania, but was forced to come back to India following racial conflicts in the East African country in the 1960s. His sister, Kamal Barot, was a playback singer in Bollywood. He assisted Bollywood biggie Manoj Kumar in films such as 'Purab Aur Pachhim', 'Shor' and 'Roti Kapada Aur Makaan'. The making of the original 'Don' is a legendary Bollywood tale. Barot's cinematographer-producer friend, Nariman Irani, was reeling under a debt of nearly Rs 12 lakh after his first film as producer, 'Zindagi Zindagi', had flopped. Barot offered to help. He was friendly with Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman having worked with them in 'Roti Kapada Aur Makaan'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo They all decided to work in 'Don' to help Irani. Tragically, Irani passed away in 1977, before Don could hit the screen. Amitabh Bachchan, who won the Best Actor Filmfare award, dedicated the award to Irani and his wife. In the 1970s, 'Don' was an unusual title for Hindi films. Barot's mentor, Manoj Kumar, had asked him with a quizzical tone if he was making some film called ``Down''! Barot explained that it was a Spanish word `Don' which actually meant `gentleman'. Kumar understood and suggested that the pacy second-half needed a song. The advice led to the birth of the chartbuster, 'Khai ke paan Benaraswala.' Don, which celebrated platinum jubilee, was remade in Tamil as Billa (1980) with Rajinikanth as hero. A year earlier, NT Rama Rao was the lead in Yugandhar, the film's Telugu version. In Malayalam, the film was remade as Shobharaj (1986) with Mohan Lal in lead. Later director Farhan Akhtar reinterpreted the movie in Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006) and Don 2: The Chase Continues. Several Bollywood personalities such as Farhan and Kunal Kohli mourned his passing on social media. "Saddened to learn that the director of the OG Don is no more. RIP Chandra Barot-ji. Deepest condolences to the family,'' posted Farhan. On a rainy Sunday, Barot's last rites were carried out at the Kherwadi based Hindu crematorium in Bandra (east). It was a low-key affair attended by his family members and some relatives. As the final rites took place, one could not help but recall a Barot remark he made years ago: "I will be remembered as the man who made Don".
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Chandra Barot struggled to promote Amitabh Bachchan's 'Don' after the producer's death, he settled Nariman Irani's debts after the film became a hit
Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot passed away on Sunday (July 20) at the age of 86. The director had reportedly been battling pulmonary fibrosis. Following his demise, Amitabh Bachchan , who starred in the classic film 'Don' directed by Barot, shared a heartfelt note in his memory. Barot had once spoken about the financial struggles he faced during the release of 'Don' due to the untimely death of its producer. Barot revealed the financial struggles he endured while shooting Don In an old conversation with Syed Firdaus Ashraf, Barot opened up about the challenges 'Don' faced. Producer Nariman Irani passed away six months before the film's release, which significantly affected the production financially. 'Don' had to compete at the box office with major releases like Yash Chopra's 'Trishul', Satyajit Ray's 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi', 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram', and Prakash Mehra's 'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar'. As a debut director, Barot had to navigate this competitive landscape without sufficient funds to promote the film. Official confirmation for 'Aankhen 2' soon They had no money for promotion after the producer's death Barot revealed that the film was shot on a shoestring budget of just Rs 25 lakh. After Irani's demise, many aspects of the project were at risk. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Casa Maquista chefs explore turmeric's essence in Macanese cuisine. MGTO Undo Initially, the response to 'Don' was underwhelming. Theatres saw low footfall, and the film was almost written off as a flop. However, that changed rapidly, due to its promising music and the power of word-of-mouth publicity. 'It was a big disappointment and declared a flop because not many people turned up. Luckily for me, within a week, the song Khaike Paan Banaraswala became a big hit. Word-of-mouth publicity led to the film becoming a major success from the second week onwards. It ran for 50 weeks in all centres and for 75 weeks in Hyderabad,' Barot recalled. 'Don' became a hit due to its music and word-of-mouth reviews B arot credited music director Babla for delivering a track that ultimately turned the tide for 'Don'. He also acknowledged actor Manoj Kumar, who gave him crucial advice during the film's final cut. Manoj suggested that the film felt too dry and needed a song to lift its appeal. 'Don' was the only film at the time in which Amitabh appeared in a solo lead role, unlike his other projects that featured ensemble casts. This added to Barot's pressure as a first-time filmmaker. Barot offered financial support to the late producer's family After the film became a box office success, Barot and his team made sure that Irani's debts were settled. 'When it became a big hit, we gave the money to Salma Irani, the producer's widow, to settle her husband's debts,' he said. The film also featured Zeenat Aman, Pran, Iftekhar, Om Shivpuri, and Satyen Kappu in key roles.
India.com
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Amitabh Bachchan Mourns Don Director Chandra Barots Demise, Pens Emotional Note
Mumbai: Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan has mourned the passing of Chandra Barot, the director of his iconic 1978 film, 'Don.' Barot, who was 86, passed away on Sunday morning. In a blog post, the 'Zanjeer' actor extended his prayers in an emotional note as he remembered Barot as his family friend. "Another and another sad moment... Dear friend and my director of DON - Chandra Barot passed away this morning... It is difficult to put in words the loss... we worked together yes, but he was more a family friend than any else...I can only pray," Big B wrote in his post. Chandra Barot made his directorial debut with Don in 1978. The film, starring Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role, has gained cult status over the years. The movie's popularity led to several remakes and sequels, including the Don franchise featuring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead. The remake was directed by Farhan Akhtar, and also starred Priyanka Chopra. Its sequel, also helmed by Akhtar, was released in 2011. Apart from Don, Chandra Barot was also known for directing Aashrita in 1989. Earlier, Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar also mourned the death of 'Don' director Chandra Barot. Taking to his Instagram, Farhan Akhtar paid tribute to the filmmaker by calling him the "OG Don". He also expressed his condolences to Barot's 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." Celebrities like Farah Khan and Isha Koppikar reacted to the post. Apart from 'Don,' Chandra Barot assisted on films like 'Purab Aur Pachhim,' 'Yaadgaar,' 'Roti Kapada Aur Makaan,' and 'Shor.' He also directed the 1989 Bengali film, 'Aashrita.'
India Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Amitabh Bachchan mourns dear friend and Don director Chandra Barot's death
Amitabh Bachchan paid tribute to his 'Don' director Chandra Barot. The veteran filmmaker, best remembered for helming the 1978 cult classic, died in Mumbai at the age of 86 after a prolonged battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was undergoing treatment at Guru Nanak Hospital under the care of Dr. Manish Shetty. The news was confirmed by his wife, Deepa passing has left a deep void in the Indian film industry, particularly among those who knew him beyond just his cinematic legacy. Among the first to express grief was Amitabh Bachchan, who delivered one of his most iconic performances under Barot's direction in 'Don'.advertisementOn his personal blog, Bachchan wrote, 'Dear dear friend and my director of Don - Chandra Barot passed away this morning. It is difficult to put in words the loss... we worked together, yes, but he was more a family friend than anyone else. I can only pray (prayer emoji) (sic).' Take a look at the screenshot here: Photo: Screengrab from Amitabh Bachchan's blog on Tumblr Barot's journey in cinema began as an assistant to Manoj Kumar, but it was 'Don'—starring Bachchan in a gripping double role alongside Zeenat Aman—that etched his name in Bollywood history. The film's taut storytelling, unforgettable dialogues, and chartbuster soundtrack elevated it to classic status, inspiring multiple remakes over the he directed only a handful of films, Barot's singular contribution with 'Don' continues to resonate. His creative vision and flair for mainstream storytelling have earned him an enduring place in Indian cinema's hall of fame.- Ends
