Chandra Barot had a remarkable journey – from an East African banker to the director of Bollywood’s cult classic DON (1978). He passed away on July 20, 2025 leaving behind a timeless cinematic gift for all of us
RAO NARENDER YADAV
Don was a childhood favourite—and continues to be so even now. It’s a film that isn’t just watched, but experienced, every time with a new flavour. The film didn’t just tell a story, it took the viewer with the story introducing to an enviable ensemble of characters – earnest Vijay, sultry Roma, sharp-eyed DCP D’Silva, the wounded Jasjit, the dubious Mr. Malik, slick Narang, and the affable Deepu and Munni. It took us into a world brimming with suspense, danger, disguise, and unforgettable dialogues.
DON is widely remembered for Salim-Javed’s razor-sharp dialogues, Kalyanji-Anandji’s unforgettable score, and Kishore Kumar’s electric voice— but what remained largely oblivious was the person who had put it all together: Chandra Barot, who passed away on July 20, 2025.
Like many of us, I was also clueless about it. I always thought it was Prakash Mehra, who had made several landmark films with Amitabh Bachchan – Zanzeer, Namak Halaal, Laawaris, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Sharaabi. But to my surprise it was Chandra Barot and DON was his first film and what a film he made – with right mix of masala.
His entry into Bollywood was equally little known. Born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 1939, Barot was part of the Gujarati diaspora in East Africa. He began his career in banking at Barclays, but political upheaval and post-independence policy changes forced him to leave. He had originally planned to settle in London, but before relocating, he decided to visit his sister, Kamal Barot, a well-known playback singer, known for her song “Hansta Hua Noorani Chehra” from the film Parasmani.
During this visit, he was introduced to the renowned music directors Kalyanji-Anandji, who later took him to meet Manoj Kumar, then in the final stages of completing his film Upkar. The brief meeting was enough for the legendary filmmaker Manoj Kumar to identify his talent and he invited him to join his team. However, Barot was still intent on trying his luck in London. But later, when things didn’t work out as hoped abroad, he reached out to Manoj Kumar to ask if the offer still stood. Soon after, Chandra Barot joined him as an assistant director,
It is learnt that Barot never intended to be a director. He took on Don purely to help his friend, producer Nariman Irani, who was in financial distress. The film took three and a half years to complete. Midway, tragedy struck—Irani died in an accident, and the film nearly fell apart. With little money and no resources for promotion, Don was released to a low-key response. It was dismissed as a flop.
However, luck changed soon, and within a week, the song Khaike Paan Banaraswala became a big hit. Interestingly, Barot added the song Khaike Paan Banaraswala on Manoj Kumar’s suggestions. Lyricist Sameer’s father Anjaan wrote it and music director Babla, the brother of Kalyanji-Anandji, included the song. Word of mouth publicity led to the film becoming a big hit from the second week on. From flop to phenomenon, Don became a blockbuster—running for 50 weeks in many centres and a staggering 75 weeks in Hyderabad.
Barot never repeated the magic. He started films with legends like Dilip Kumar (Master) and Sarika (Titli), but they remained incomplete. He did direct a Bengali film, Aashrita (1989), which was a hit. Yet, for the most part, he quietly stepped away from the spotlight.
In a 2015 interview, he had said, “It doesn’t matter how many films one makes. I made one film—Don—and I’ll always be remembered for it.” Indeed, he will. In an industry obsessed with volume, Barot’s legacy is proof that one great film is enough—if it can live in the hearts of generations.
Barot gave us Don—a film that didn’t just entertain but became a cultural landmark, shaping the very idea of uber cool, crime, and charisma in Indian cinema. And in doing so, he gave Bollywood a gift it will never forget.
(Author is the Director of African Centre of India. Views are personal)