Though Amitabh Bachchan’s classic film “Don” cemented his superstar status, its production tragically ruined producer Nariman Irani, who died before its release, with profits used to clear his debts.
The Cost of a Blockbuster
Released in 1978, “Don” was a massive success, adding to Amitabh Bachchan’s string of hits after “Zanjeer,” “Deewaar,” and “Sholay.” However, for its producer, Nariman Irani, the journey was one of immense financial hardship.
Irani was already deeply in debt from a previous film, “Zindagi Zindagi,” which had flopped. “Don” was meant to be his financial recovery, with friends like Amitabh Bachchan, Pran, Salim-Javed, and Zeenat Aman reportedly coming forward to help.
The Last-Minute Hit Song
Lyricist Sameer Anjaan recently revealed a fascinating detail about the film’s production: the iconic song “Khaike Paan Banaras Wala” was a last-minute addition. Javed Akhtar, after watching the film, felt the second half was too action-heavy and insisted a new song be added to balance it out.
This demand came when the film was already complete and its release date was set. At this point, Nariman Irani was reportedly in such dire financial straits that he barely had money for food.
A Race Against Time to Film a Classic
Despite Irani’s protests about the lack of funds, Javed Akhtar was adamant. The challenge was compounded by Amitabh Bachchan’s imminent international travel, leaving only one day to shoot the song.
With no set available, they improvised. The team headed to Goregaon, where they filmed the song at a ‘tabela’ (stable) belonging to some people from Uttar Pradesh. In just a couple of hours, cinematic history was made, creating a song eternally linked to Bachchan’s legacy.
A Tragic End for the Producer
Nariman Irani’s struggle tragically ended before he could witness “Don”‘s success. Weeks before the film’s premiere, he died in a freak accident when a wall collapsed on him during a cloudburst on another film’s set.
The film, made on a modest budget of around Rs 25 lakh, became a huge hit. Its profits were then given to Irani’s widow, Salma Irani, to pay off the substantial debts her husband had incurred during the production.
Zeenat Aman, who starred in the film, recalled how everyone worked like family. She was so moved by Irani’s passing that she waived her entire remuneration for “Don” to help the family.
- “Don” producer Nariman Irani was financially ruined and died before the film’s release.
- The iconic song “Khaike Paan Banaras Wala” was added last-minute due to Javed Akhtar’s insistence.
- The song was filmed in just hours at a makeshift location due to budget constraints and Amitabh Bachchan’s schedule.
- “Don”‘s success helped clear Irani’s extensive debts posthumously.
- Actors and crew reportedly came together to help Irani, who was already in debt from a previous flop.
“Don”‘s enduring legacy continues, with a Shah Rukh Khan remake in 2006, a sequel, and a new reboot starring Ranveer Singh underway. However, the untold story of its original producer serves as a poignant reminder of the hidden struggles behind the scenes of even the biggest blockbusters.
