"What an enriching experience working with him."
On July 20, 2025, the veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot passed away. He was 86 years old.
Barot had been suffering from pulmonary fibrosis for the past seven years.
Born in Tanzania, East Africa, Barot first began working at a bank.
He later moved to Mumbai, India, to pursue a career in filmmaking.
The legendary actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumar appointed Barot as an assistant director.
Barot worked with Kumar on films including Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Shor (1972), and Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974).
In 1978, Chandra Barot made his directorial debut which became an enduring classic of Indian cinema.
The film was titled Don and starred Amitabh Bachchan as the titular criminal as well as his lookalike, Vijay.
Written by Salim-Javed, the film also featured Zeenat Aman, Pran, and Iftekhar.
Surprisingly, Don flopped when it was first released.
Upon the advice of Manoj Kumar, the chartbuster ‘Khaike Paan Banaraswala‘ was added to the film which helped improve its success.
As a result, Don became one of the highest-grossing films of the year and earned Amitabh a Filmfare Award for ‘Best Actor’ in 1979.
In 2006, Farhan Akhtar remade Don with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. A sequel – Don 2 – was released in 2011.
The third instalment, titled Don 3 is currently in development, allegedly starring Ranveer Singh and Kriti Sanon.
Since the news of his death emerged, many took to social media to pay tribute to Chandra Barot.
Kunal Kohli wrote: “Chandra Ji. RIP sir. The only director I assisted. Not in Don.
“For a film with Vinod Khanna called Boss that never saw the light of day.
“But what an enriching experience working with him. Heard so many BTS stories of Don.
“I decided to bunk college and assist Chandra Ji. Remarkably sharp man. Lovely person.
“Had very enlightening and fun chats with him.
“Thank you, sir, for giving us Don – Indian cinema’s most stylish film to date.”
Chandra ji RIP sir. The only director I assisted. Not in Don. For a film with Vinod Khanna called Boss that never saw the light of day. But what am enriching experience working with him. Heard so many BTS stories of Don. I sided bunk college and assist Chandraji. Remarkably sharp… pic.twitter.com/POaXkNEFbU
— kunal kohli (@kunalkohli) July 20, 2025
Amitabh Bachchan wrote on his blog: “Another and another sad moment.
“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.”
Farhan Akhtar took to Instagram to condole the director’s death. He said: “Saddened to learn that the director of the OG Don is no more.
“RIP Chandra Barot Ji. Deepest condolences to the family.”
Following Don, Chandra Barot directed a Bengali film titled Aashrita (1989).
His other films included Pyaar Bhara Dil and Hong Kong Wali Script. However, these films were either shelved or they remained unreleased.
In an interview, Barot had revealed: “I started a film with Dilip Kumar called Master, and another with Sarika called Titli.
“The first wasn’t completed, and Sarika went on to marry.”
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