Exclusive: Chandra Barot deserved far more credit for Don, says Javed Akhtar

Veteran director Chandra Barot, 86, best known for making the 1978 cult classic Don, passed away in Mumbai. The filmmaker was battling pulmonary fibrosis for the past seven years. Barot’s directorial debut Don was written by Salim-Javed (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar). The film, which featured Amitabh Bachchan in a dual role, also starred Zeenat Aman, Pran and Helen. The film, which continues to be a landmark in Hindi cinema, was remade by Farhan Akhtar in 2006 with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead.

Barot began his career in the Hindi film industry as an assistant director with actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumar.Remembering Chandra Barot, Javed Akhtar told Bombay Times, “I remember meeting him around 12-15 years ago at an event. It was a fleeting meet and we promised to meet each other soon which sadly never happened. I will always remember him as the most gentle, easy-going man with a great sense of humour. He had no ego hassles and was extremely humble.

Working with him and cinematographer Nariman A Irani on Don, was a great experience.

”‘Don was perhaps one of Amitabh Bachchan’s first solo hits’The 1978 action-thriller went on to become a massive hit, cementing Big B and Salim Javed’s domination and stardom. However, Barot largely stayed out of the limelight. The acclaimed screen writer and lyricist explained, “It’s strange how the industry operates. Don was immensely successful. I remember he was planning to work with Vinod Khanna after that.

There was a big announcement, but the film didn’t take off. He was also in talks with Dilip Kumar. I don’t know what happened there. I am not sure if this is the right time to say this, but he deserved far more credit for Don than he received. It was perhaps one of Amitabh’s first solo hits. Most of his previous hits were multistarrers.”‘Don didn’t mull over melodrama’Speaking about what made Don a cult classic, Javed saab added, “Don was the first caper of Hindi cinema.

It was one of its kind. Like other films of those times, Don didn’t mull over melodrama, had no emotional backstory or rely on histrionics. I remember Chintu (Rishi Kapoor) saying in his classic tongue in cheek way, ‘The whole film looks like a trailer!’ What he meant was the film had that ‘on the move’ tempo and it was all Barot’s vision.

He invented that style and that to me was most unique. It was a well-made film.”‘I will always be loyal to my Don’Don was remade by Javed saab’s son Farhan years later, but he says in all honesty, “I will always be loyal to my Don. Don for me is the 1978 original, a film written by Salim-Javed. The films made later by Farhan are definitely successful and well-made, but I will stay loyal to my film.”