Bollywood says goodbye to a film legend with the passing away of Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot, creator of cult favorite 1978 blockbuster ‘Don’, at the age of 86. Barot’s trailblazing efforts in Amitabh Bachchan’s box office blockbuster cemented its place in Indian cinema books by being the first to start the action, suspense, and irretrievable soundtracks which won hearts.
His demise was preceded by a deluge of condolences and admiration from all in the industry, headed by director Farhan Akhtar, whose own ‘Don’ series is inspired by Barot’s own early work. Barot’s impact went much further than as a director though; he was also highly respected as an assistant director and colleague on a number of other classic films throughout his professional career.
The Enduring Legacy of the 1978 ‘Don’
Chandra Barot’s ‘Don’ in 1978 was more than a film; it was a cultural phenomenon that remapped the action-thriller genre of Indian films. With Amitabh Bachchan playing a dual role as smooth crime lord Don and his innocent doppelganger Vijay, the film had been an instant box office success as well as generating critical success.
Barot’s style was liked for its minimalist script, sweat-drenched chase scenes, and the indelible music score by Kalyanji-Anandji with evergreen songs like “Pan Khaye Saiyan Hamaro” and “Main Hoon Don.” The complicated plot of a man taking the identity of a deceased killer to sneak into a syndicate was adopted as the formula for most of the thrillers that followed. Don, in his archetypal style and tricks, is Bachchan’s most enduring characterization, a credit to the creative vision and skill of Barot in bringing out the best in his actors.
Farhan Akhtar’s Tribute and a Continuing Inspiration
Among those who paid their tribute, Farhan Akhtar’s was a personal one from within the fraternity. Akhtar, who had re-launched the ‘Don’ franchise to success with Shah Rukh Khan playing the title role, recognized Barot’s path-paving activities as an early influence. He praised Barot for having created a cinematic world that was ready to be re-interpreted but stayed true to its very essence.
Akhtar’s emotional tribute to Barot underlined his enduring presence in the world of cinema and his permanent influence on future generations of filmmakers. the success of the new ‘Don’ series so far is a proof of Chandra Barot’s enduring popularity and a good sense of storytelling. His untimely death creates a vacuum, but his film, especially the original ‘Don’, will entertain and inspire generations to come.
A recent media graduate, Bhumi Vashisht is currently making a significant contribution as a committed content writer. She brings new ideas to the media sector and is an expert at creating strategic content and captivating tales, having working in the field from past four months.
