Chandra Barot, the well-known filmmaker who directed the iconic film Don starring Amitabh Bachchan, passed away at the age of 86 on Sunday in Mumbai.
His wife, Deepa Barot, confirmed his death and said that he had been suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, a serious lung disease, for the last seven years. He was being treated at Guru Nanak Hospital by Dr. Manish Shetty and had also been admitted earlier to Jaslok Hospital.
Barot is best remembered for directing Don, which became a huge hit and is now considered a cult classic in Bollywood. He took on the project not just as a creative challenge, but also to support his close friend Nariman Irani, a cinematographer and producer.
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Before becoming a director, Chandra Barot returned to India from Tanzania, where he had been living, due to political and racial issues. He started his career in the Hindi film industry as an assistant director to actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar.
His contribution to Indian cinema, especially through Don, will always be remembered.
