Filmmaker Chandra Barot, who recently passed away at 86, endured a challenging journey to bring his cult classic “Don” to the big screen, a film initially declared a flop that was saved by a hit song and a crucial piece of advice.
The Early Struggles of a Cult Classic
Chandra Barot’s “Don,” starring Amitabh Bachchan, is now celebrated as a landmark film. However, its path to success was anything but smooth, facing significant financial hurdles and a bleak initial reception.
The film’s producer, Nariman Irani, tragically passed away six months before its release. This left the production team without funds for crucial promotions, putting “Don” at a severe disadvantage against big-budget releases like Yash Chopra’s “Trishul” and Shashi Kapoor’s “Satyam Shivam Sundaram.”
A Debut Director’s Pressure Cooker
Barot, making his directorial debut, found himself in a tough spot. “Don” was unique at the time, being one of Amitabh Bachchan’s few solo-led films, adding immense pressure on the new director to deliver a hit.
The movie was made on a surprisingly modest budget of just Rs 25 lakh. With no money left for promotion after Irani’s death, there was virtually no buzz or audience turnout on its opening day.
From Flop to Phenomenon
On May 12, 1978, “Don” was released and promptly declared a flop due to its empty theaters. But a surprising twist of fate was around the corner.
Within a week, the song “Khaike Paan Banaraswala” became an instant sensation. This unexpected hit ignited word-of-mouth publicity, drawing audiences into cinemas in droves. “Don” quickly transformed from a commercial failure to a blockbuster, running for 50 weeks in many centers and even 75 weeks in Hyderabad.
The Pivotal Advice That Saved the Day
Chandra Barot later credited music director Babla and actor Manoj Kumar for the film’s incredible turnaround. Kumar, after watching a screening, astutely advised Barot that the film, despite being gripping, needed a “relief” song to break its intense pace and allow the audience a moment to breathe.
This led to the inclusion of “Khaike Paan Banaraswala,” a decision that proved instrumental in the film’s eventual success.
A Legacy of Success and Integrity
The team behind “Don” didn’t just celebrate their newfound success. They ensured that the film’s massive earnings were used to settle the debts left by the late producer, Nariman Irani, helping his widow, Salma Irani. This act highlighted the integrity and camaraderie within the team.
Chandra Barot’s journey with “Don” remains a remarkable story of perseverance, a testament to how creative insights and a bit of luck can transform initial failure into an enduring legacy.
- “Don” was initially declared a flop on its release day due to lack of promotion.
- Producer Nariman Irani’s death left the film with no budget for advertising.
- The film’s turnaround was thanks to the massive popularity of “Khaike Paan Banaraswala.”
- Actor Manoj Kumar advised director Chandra Barot to add a song for narrative relief.
- The film’s success helped clear the debts of the late producer’s family.
Chandra Barot’s passing serves as a reminder of the extraordinary efforts and behind-the-scenes struggles that often go into creating cinematic masterpieces, and how a single piece of advice can change everything.
