Amitabh Bachchan on Chandra Barot death expressed profound grief, mourning the loss of the iconic director, as the legendary actor bid an emotional farewell to the director of the 1978 cult classic Don.
Chandra Barot, aged 86, passed away on July 20, 2025, in Mumbai’s Guru Nanak Hospital after a seven-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis, as confirmed by his wife, Deepa Barot.
Bachchan, who had a close relationship with Barot, said he felt immense sorrow, terming him “more a family friend than anything else.”
A Personal Tribute by Big B
In a heart-wrenching social media post, Amitabh Bachchan on Chandra Barot wrote, “Another and another sad moment.. Dear dear friend and my director of DON – Chandra Barot passed away this morning.. It is difficult to put into words the loss.. we worked together yes, but he was more a family friend than any else.. I can only pray.”
The choice of words Big B has used shows how strong their bonding was formed during the filming of Don. Since its release, Don has become cult classic and a foundation in Bollywood for action genre movies.
Bachchan’s double role as the mafia don and his lookalike Vijay, with Zeenat Aman and Pran, still remains iconic.
The Legacy of Don
Chandra Barot’s Don was not just a box office success; it was a labor of love to bolster producer Nariman Irani, who was on the brink of bankruptcy after his film Zindagi Zindagi tanked.
The film was made in three years under a tight budget. It brought director Barot, actors Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, Pran, and writers Salim-Javed together that resulted in such a massive blockbuster.
The movie had really cool dialogues, awesome action scenes, and melodious songs that people still remember, which made it super popular. It even inspired Farhan Akhtar to make a new version later.
Industry Loses a Visionary
Farhan Akhtar, who re-made Don in 2006 with Shah Rukh Khan, paid his respects on Instagram, posting, “Saddened to hear that the director of the OG Don is no more. RIP Chandra Barot ji.”
Barot’s transition from having been a banker in Tanzania to becoming a Bollywood director was one of perseverance, having served as an assistant to Manoj Kumar prior to directing Don. His subsequent films, such as the Bengali film Aashrita (1989), exhibited his versatility.
A Lasting Impact
Chandra Barot’s death marks the end of an era, but his legacy lives on through Don’s ageless sheen. Bachchan’s moving tribute emphasizes the professional and personal void left by Barot’s death.
With Bollywood mourning his contribution, enthusiasts still hail the movie that revolutionized the anti-hero genre. Barot has left behind his wife and son, along with a cinematic treasure that will inspire generations to come.
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