Chandra Barot, the director of the original 1978 film Don starring Amitabh Bachchan, has passed away at the age of 86 in Mumbai. His wife, Deepa Barot, confirmed that he had been battling pulmonary fibrosis for the past seven years. He was receiving treatment at Guru Nanak Hospital and had previously been admitted to Jaslok Hospital.

Born in 1939, Chandra Barot's journey to cinema was unconventional. His family relocated to Dar-es-Salaam, South Africa, in the 1930s amidst political unrest. Barot initially worked at Barclay's Bank in Tanzania. However, his passion for storytelling led him to India, where he became an assistant director to Manoj Kumar, working on films like Purab Aur Pachhim, Shor, and Roti Kapada Aur Makaan.

Barot's directorial debut, Don, became a cult classic despite a modest initial reception. The film, written by Salim-Javed, starred Amitabh Bachchan in a double role and is remembered for its action, music, and memorable dialogues. Don significantly impacted Hindi cinema, defining the stylized crime-thriller genre and paving the way for future adaptations. The film's success is attributed to Barot's vision amidst budget constraints. He directed the film to help his friend, cinematographer-producer Nariman Irani, who had suffered financial losses.

The legacy of Don continued with remakes and sequels, including the Shah Rukh Khan-led franchise directed by Farhan Akhtar. Akhtar paid tribute to Barot, calling him the "OG Don" and a true legend. He extended his condolences to Barot's family. Farhan Akhtar is currently directing a third Don film with actor Ranveer Singh.

While Barot directed other films like Aashrita (1989) and Pyar Bhara Dil (1991), none matched the success of Don. Some of his projects, such as Hong Kong Wali Script and Neil Ko Pakadna…Impossible, were shelved.

Chandra Barot is survived by his wife and son. His contribution to Indian cinema, especially Don, continues to inspire filmmakers and entertain audiences.