Mumbai July 20 (UNI) Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot died here today following old age complications, family sources said.
He was 86.
Barot breathed his last at a hospital in Mumbai after battling pulmonary fibrosis for nearly seven years, his wife Deepa confirmed.
Barot was best known for directing the original Don (1978), starring Amitabh Bachchan — a film that went on to become a cult classic in Bollywood.
Amitabh took to his blog on X (formerly Twitter) to pen a tribute to the late director, saying he was more of a family friend to him. “Another and another sad moment,” the veteran actor began in his post.
Amitabh continued, “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 (folded hand emoji).”
Filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar, who directed and starred in the rebooted Don franchise, took to Instagram to express his grief. He wrote, “Saddened to hear about the passing of the OG Don director.”
Chandra Barot’s contribution to Indian cinema, particularly through the iconic Don, left a lasting impact. His passing marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy cherished by fans and filmmakers alike, he said.
Filmmaker Kunal Kohli fondly remembered assisting the late director on an unreleased movie, “Boss”, starring Vinod Khanna.
“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’,” Kohli said on X.
