Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot, best known for directing the 1978 cult classic Don starring Amitabh Bachchan, passed away in Mumbai on Sunday at the age of 86. He had been battling pulmonary fibrosis for the past seven years.
Barot breathed his last at Bandra’s Guru Nanak Hospital under the care of Dr. Manish Shetty. He had also been admitted to Jaslok Hospital for treatment in the past. His wife, Deepa Barot, confirmed the news of his death and revealed details of his prolonged illness.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who immortalized the dual roles of Don and Vijay in Barot’s iconic film, expressed his grief through a heartfelt tribute on his blog. “Another and another sad moment,” wrote the actor. “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.”
Barot’s Don not only became a defining moment in Bachchan’s career but also went on to become a cinematic milestone in Hindi cinema. The film’s popularity led to several remakes and adaptations over the years, solidifying its place in Bollywood history.
