Don (1978 film)
Encyclopedia
Don is a 1978 Indian action film
, produced by Nariman Irani and directed by Chandra Barot, with music by Kalyanji Anandji
and lyrics by Anjaan
. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan
, Zeenat Aman
, Pran, Iftekhar
, Helen and Om Shivpuri
, Satyen Kappu
and Pinchoo Kapoor
. It was the third-highest grossing Bollywood movie of 1978. It has gained cult film
status in India
.
) is the leader of an underworld gang until Police Officer D'Silva (Iftekhar
) tracks him down and in an attempt to catch him ends up killing him. But Don's death is only known to D'Silva. So Officer D'Silva tracks down a lookalike of Don named Vijay. Vijay impersonates Don to take down the rest of Don's gang while the DSP promises him that he will give a proper education to his wards who are actually the children of Jasjit (Pran).
Meanwhile, Jasjit comes out of prison after serving his jail term, only to find Officer D'Silva having a red diary that would show Vijay's true identity. Officer D'Silva is killed by Malik who is introduced as the Interpol
officer, but is in fact the real king of the underworld. It's now a race to retrieve the diary in which the DSP has documented the substitution of the real Don with the innocent Vijay.
One famous dialogue of movie is Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahin, namumkin hai (It is not just difficult to catch Don, it is impossible)
, as the story of one of the most powerful men in the business of crime, who in spite of being one of the most wanted on the list of Interpol, remains elusive to the police. Along with the police, Don makes a few other enemies through his merciless approach to running his organization, especially when he kills one of his own men, Ramesh, when Ramesh decides to leave the business. This introduces Don to two new enemies, Kamini (Helen), Ramesh’s fiancee, and Roma, (Zeenat Aman
) Ramesh’s sister. When Kamini seduces Don and attempts to have the police arrest him, her plan backfires as Don outsmarts her and the police in his escape, and in the process Kamini loses her life.
A shattered, revenge-seeking Roma gets her hair cut short, trains in judo
and karate
, then enters Don’s gang after deceiving them into thinking that she too is on the wrong side of the law. Don is impressed with her fighting skills and allows her to work for him, without realizing her true intentions. Meanwhile, after a couple of unsuccessful attempts at nabbing Don, the police finally succeed, but Don dies during the pursuit, botching Officer D’Silva’s plan to reach the source of all crime—the man Don reported to—through capturing Don alive. D’Silva buries Don’s body, ensuring that people believe that he may still be alive. As luck would have it, D’Silva remembers his chance encounter with Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan
), a simpleton trying to survive in the hustle and bustle of Bombay in order to support two small foster children, who is an exact lookalike of Don. D’Silva hatches a plan to transform Vijay into Don and place him back into the crime nexus, but this time as a police informer.
Around the time Vijay "returns" to Don's gang as Don under the guise of amnesia, Jasjit (Pran), just released from jail, begins his mission of revenge against D’Silva and his search for his children Deepu and Muni, who had been saved and taken care of by Vijay. Vijay manages to replace the red diary with a blank one, and tells his gang that he is going to take revenge on the DSP, but is actually going there to give him the red diary. Roma goes after him, but Vijay survives the attack and he tries to explain to her that he is not Don, but Vijay. She refuses to believe him at first but D'Silva intervenes and tells her that the man she is trying to kill is indeed Vijay.
Meanwhile, as Vijay learns more and more about Don through his discovery of his diary and Roma’s help, he announces to his colleagues that his memory is back. Celebrations ensue, as Don announces his return to the world, but things take a drastic turn when the police raid the celebrations, acting upon Vijay's information, but Vijay’s only witness to his true identity, D’Silva, dies in the crossfire.
Tangled in a web of confusion where the police refuse to believe that he is Vijay, whereas his underworld gang realizes that he is indeed not Don, Vijay becomes not only hated by the police, but also by Don’s right-hand man, Narang, and the rest of his gang. To add to Vijay’s woes, Don’s diary which he had handed over to D’Silva — his last hope of proving his innocence — is stolen by Jasjit in an attempt to track down his lost children, without realizing that Vijay is the one man who can reunite them. Vijay escapes the clutches of the police and the underworld with Roma’s help and returns to his old self though he struggles to prove his identity and innocence. After a long fight of Vijay against Vardan's men Roma ends up getting the diary and one of the gangster's snatch it and burn it. The ending reveals that the diary which was burnt was, in fact, the fake diary and Vijay had the real one in order to trick Vardan, he gives the proof to the police and all charges are put against him, Vardan is arrested and Vijay returns to his old life.
and the lyrics were written by Anjaan
and Indivar
. Kishore Kumar
and Asha Bhosle
received accolades at filmfare for the tracks "Khaike Pan Banaraswala" and "Yeh Mera Dil" respectively.
(1972) starring Sunil Dutt
flopped. He was in debt for Rs12 lakhs and couldn't pay it off on a cinematographer's salary. When he was doing the cinematography for Manoj Kumar
's major hit Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974), the film's cast (Amitabh Bachchan
, Zeenat Aman
, Pran) and crew (assistant director Chandra Barot) decided to help him out. They all recommended that he produce another film and that they will participate in the film. They all approached scriptwriting duo Salim-Javed
, who gave them an untitled script that had already been rejected by the entire industry. The script had a character named Don. Bachchan would play Don, and Barot would direct the film. Aman and Pran would play key roles in the film. The film took three-and-a-half years to complete. Before filming was completed, producer Irani had an accident on the set of another film he was working on, and died as a result. Barot faced budget restraints but he got help. Aman did not take any money for her work in the film. Barot showed it to his mentor Manoj Kumar
, who felt that the film was too tight and needed a song in the midst of the action-filled film, and so "Khaike Paan Banaraswala" was recorded. The film was released without any promotion on 12 May 1978 and was declared a flop the first week. Within a week, the song "Khaike Paan Banaraswala" became a big hit, and word of mouth spread, so by the second week, the film was also declared a big hit. The profits from the film were given to Irani's widow to settle her husband's debts.
's film China Town (1962) and is apparently inspired by it. The movie had Shammi Kapoor
playing the double roles of both a gangster and his lookalike - a common man turned informer. Don was itself later remade several times.
A sample from the song "Yeh Mera Dil" was used by The Black Eyed Peas
for their hit 2005 song "Don't Phunk with My Heart
." The song won the Black Eyed Peas their first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
, while the composers for "Yeh Mera Dil", Kalyanji Anandji
, were awarded the BMI Award
for being the originators of the melodies used in "Don't Phunk with My Heart."
The third season American Dad!
episode "Tearjerker
" uses the 1978 Don theme music in its intro sequence.
in the lead role of Don, Priyanka Chopra
as Roma, Arjun Rampal
as Jasjit, Boman Irani
as D'Silva, and Om Puri
as Malik. It was directed by Farhan Akhtar
. With some changes in script, the film proved to be one of the highest grossing films of the year. A sequel to that film, Don 2 - The Chase Continues
is being made and is releasing on the 23rd of December, 2011.
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
, produced by Nariman Irani and directed by Chandra Barot, with music by Kalyanji Anandji
Kalyanji Anandji
Kalyanji Anandji is a name used by Indian composer duo known for its work on Hindi film soundtracks, particularly action potboilers in the 1970s. The name comes from first names of the two Gujarati brothers that formed the duo, Kalyanji Virji Shah and Anandji Virji Shah...
and lyrics by Anjaan
Anjaan
Anjaan was the nom-de-plume of Lalji Pandey, the Hindi movie lyricist famous for songs such as Khaike Paan Banaraswala from Don and Rote hue aate hain sab from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar....
. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
, Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman is an Indian actress who has appeared in Hindi films, notably in the 1970s and 1980s. She was the second runner up in the Miss India Contest and went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific in 1970...
, Pran, Iftekhar
Iftekhar
Iftekhar was a character actor in Bollywood films, especially known for his roles as police officers in several films.-Career:...
, Helen and Om Shivpuri
Om Shivpuri
Om Shivpuri was an Indian theatre actor-director and character actor in Hindi films.A National School of Drama, New Delhi alumni, Om Shivpuri became the first chief of the National School of Drama Repertory Company and one of its actors; he later founded an important theatre group of its era, in...
, Satyen Kappu
Satyen Kappu
Satyen Kappu , also credited as Satyendra Kapoor, was an Indian character actor in Bollywood films. His most remembered role is Ramlal in movie Sholay and as Amitabh Bachchan's father in Yash Chopra's Deewaar...
and Pinchoo Kapoor
Pinchoo Kapoor
Pinchoo Kapoor was a noted Indian actor. He acted in many Hindi films during 70s and 80s. His film career lasted from 1969 to 1989. He was born in Jaipur in Rajasthan. He is best remembered for his role in film Don.-Filmography:- References :*...
. It was the third-highest grossing Bollywood movie of 1978. It has gained cult film
Cult film
A cult film, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film that has acquired a highly devoted but specific group of fans. Often, cult movies have failed to achieve fame outside the small fanbases; however, there have been exceptions that have managed to gain fame among mainstream audiences...
status in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Synopsis
Don (Amitabh BachchanAmitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
) is the leader of an underworld gang until Police Officer D'Silva (Iftekhar
Iftekhar
Iftekhar was a character actor in Bollywood films, especially known for his roles as police officers in several films.-Career:...
) tracks him down and in an attempt to catch him ends up killing him. But Don's death is only known to D'Silva. So Officer D'Silva tracks down a lookalike of Don named Vijay. Vijay impersonates Don to take down the rest of Don's gang while the DSP promises him that he will give a proper education to his wards who are actually the children of Jasjit (Pran).
Meanwhile, Jasjit comes out of prison after serving his jail term, only to find Officer D'Silva having a red diary that would show Vijay's true identity. Officer D'Silva is killed by Malik who is introduced as the Interpol
Interpol
Interpol, whose full name is the International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL, is an organization facilitating international police cooperation...
officer, but is in fact the real king of the underworld. It's now a race to retrieve the diary in which the DSP has documented the substitution of the real Don with the innocent Vijay.
One famous dialogue of movie is Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahin, namumkin hai (It is not just difficult to catch Don, it is impossible)
Plot
Don begins, true to its titleCrime boss
A crime boss or boss is a person in charge of a criminal organization. A boss typically has absolute or near-absolute control over his subordinates, is greatly feared by his subordinates for his ruthlessness and willingness to take lives in order to exert his influence, and profits come from the...
, as the story of one of the most powerful men in the business of crime, who in spite of being one of the most wanted on the list of Interpol, remains elusive to the police. Along with the police, Don makes a few other enemies through his merciless approach to running his organization, especially when he kills one of his own men, Ramesh, when Ramesh decides to leave the business. This introduces Don to two new enemies, Kamini (Helen), Ramesh’s fiancee, and Roma, (Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman is an Indian actress who has appeared in Hindi films, notably in the 1970s and 1980s. She was the second runner up in the Miss India Contest and went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific in 1970...
) Ramesh’s sister. When Kamini seduces Don and attempts to have the police arrest him, her plan backfires as Don outsmarts her and the police in his escape, and in the process Kamini loses her life.
A shattered, revenge-seeking Roma gets her hair cut short, trains in judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
and karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, then enters Don’s gang after deceiving them into thinking that she too is on the wrong side of the law. Don is impressed with her fighting skills and allows her to work for him, without realizing her true intentions. Meanwhile, after a couple of unsuccessful attempts at nabbing Don, the police finally succeed, but Don dies during the pursuit, botching Officer D’Silva’s plan to reach the source of all crime—the man Don reported to—through capturing Don alive. D’Silva buries Don’s body, ensuring that people believe that he may still be alive. As luck would have it, D’Silva remembers his chance encounter with Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
), a simpleton trying to survive in the hustle and bustle of Bombay in order to support two small foster children, who is an exact lookalike of Don. D’Silva hatches a plan to transform Vijay into Don and place him back into the crime nexus, but this time as a police informer.
Around the time Vijay "returns" to Don's gang as Don under the guise of amnesia, Jasjit (Pran), just released from jail, begins his mission of revenge against D’Silva and his search for his children Deepu and Muni, who had been saved and taken care of by Vijay. Vijay manages to replace the red diary with a blank one, and tells his gang that he is going to take revenge on the DSP, but is actually going there to give him the red diary. Roma goes after him, but Vijay survives the attack and he tries to explain to her that he is not Don, but Vijay. She refuses to believe him at first but D'Silva intervenes and tells her that the man she is trying to kill is indeed Vijay.
Meanwhile, as Vijay learns more and more about Don through his discovery of his diary and Roma’s help, he announces to his colleagues that his memory is back. Celebrations ensue, as Don announces his return to the world, but things take a drastic turn when the police raid the celebrations, acting upon Vijay's information, but Vijay’s only witness to his true identity, D’Silva, dies in the crossfire.
Tangled in a web of confusion where the police refuse to believe that he is Vijay, whereas his underworld gang realizes that he is indeed not Don, Vijay becomes not only hated by the police, but also by Don’s right-hand man, Narang, and the rest of his gang. To add to Vijay’s woes, Don’s diary which he had handed over to D’Silva — his last hope of proving his innocence — is stolen by Jasjit in an attempt to track down his lost children, without realizing that Vijay is the one man who can reunite them. Vijay escapes the clutches of the police and the underworld with Roma’s help and returns to his old self though he struggles to prove his identity and innocence. After a long fight of Vijay against Vardan's men Roma ends up getting the diary and one of the gangster's snatch it and burn it. The ending reveals that the diary which was burnt was, in fact, the fake diary and Vijay had the real one in order to trick Vardan, he gives the proof to the police and all charges are put against him, Vardan is arrested and Vijay returns to his old life.
Cast
- Amitabh BachchanAmitabh BachchanAmitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
as Don/Vijay - Zeenat AmanZeenat AmanZeenat Aman is an Indian actress who has appeared in Hindi films, notably in the 1970s and 1980s. She was the second runner up in the Miss India Contest and went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific in 1970...
as Roma - Pran as Jasjit (JJ)
- IftekharIftekharIftekhar was a character actor in Bollywood films, especially known for his roles as police officers in several films.-Career:...
as DSP D'Silva - Om ShivpuriOm ShivpuriOm Shivpuri was an Indian theatre actor-director and character actor in Hindi films.A National School of Drama, New Delhi alumni, Om Shivpuri became the first chief of the National School of Drama Repertory Company and one of its actors; he later founded an important theatre group of its era, in...
as Vardan/Interpol Officer R.K. Malik (Impostor) - Pinchoo KapoorPinchoo KapoorPinchoo Kapoor was a noted Indian actor. He acted in many Hindi films during 70s and 80s. His film career lasted from 1969 to 1989. He was born in Jaipur in Rajasthan. He is best remembered for his role in film Don.-Filmography:- References :*...
as Interpol Officer R.K. Malik (Real) - Satyendra Kapoor as Inspector S. Verma
- Jagdish RajJagdish RajJagdish Raj Khurana is a former Bollywood actor who holds a Guinness World Record record for being the most type-cast actor. He has played a police inspector in 144 films. He was born in 1928 in the town of Sargodha, British India, which is now in Pakistan...
as Police Officer - Keshav Rana as Police Officer
- Abhimanyu Sharma as Inspector Sharma
- Prem Sagar as Police Inspector (inspected the ambulance)
- Paidi JairajPaidi JairajPaidi Jairaj, Jayraj or Jai Raj was a renowned film actor, director and producer. He was recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement in 1980.-Brief lifesketch:...
as Dayal, Judo Karate Instructor - Kamal Kapoor as Narang
- Arpana Choudhary as Anita
- Helen as Kamini
- M. B. Shetty as Shakaal
- Mac MohanMac MohanMohan Makijany , popularly known as Mac Mohan, was a well-known Indian character actor in Hindi language films...
as Mac - Baby Bilkish as Munni
- Alankar Joshi as Deepu
- Moolchand as Govinda
- H. L. Pardesi as Banarasi, Pan Seller
- Sharad Kumar as Ramesh
- Gulshan as Doctor
- Rajan Haksar as Kishan, Jasjit's Employer
- Yusuf Khan as Vikram
Crew
- Director: Chandra Barot
- Writer: Salim-JavedSalim-JavedSalim-Javed were a scriptwriter duo who wrote a number of commercially and critically successful Hindi films in the 1970s and early 1980s. The duo, composed of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, made the writer's role popular with their names appearing in the posters of the films, and in some films they...
- Producer: Nariman A. Irani
- Production Company: Nariman Films
- Cinematographer: Nariman A. Irani
- Editor: Wamanrao
- Art Director: Sudhendu Roy
- Costume Designer: Ramola Bachchan, V. Scharwachter
- Wardrobe: S. Irani, Manikrao Jagtap, Mani J. Rabadi, Mehboob Shaikh
- Stunts: Haji Khan, A. Mansoor
- Choreographer: P. L. RajP. L. RajP. L. Raj was a Bollywood film choreographer from Andhra Pradesh. He choreographed over 1,000 films, and won a Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography for Jaag Utha Insan . Other notable works include Milan . Though Raj began his career in Bollywood in early 50s the first major break saw him...
- Music Director: Kalyanji AnandjiKalyanji AnandjiKalyanji Anandji is a name used by Indian composer duo known for its work on Hindi film soundtracks, particularly action potboilers in the 1970s. The name comes from first names of the two Gujarati brothers that formed the duo, Kalyanji Virji Shah and Anandji Virji Shah...
- Lyricist: AnjaanAnjaanAnjaan was the nom-de-plume of Lalji Pandey, the Hindi movie lyricist famous for songs such as Khaike Paan Banaraswala from Don and Rote hue aate hain sab from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar....
, IndeevarIndeevarShyamalal Bahu Rai, known professionally as Indeevar, was one of the leading Hindi film lyricists in the 1960s... - Playback Singers: Asha BhosleAsha BhosleAsha Bhosle is an Indian singer. She is one of the best-known and most highly-regarded Hindi playback singers in India, although she has a wider repertoire. Bhosle's career started in 1943 and has spanned over six decades. She has done playback singing for over a thousand Bollywood movies...
, Kishore KumarKishore KumarKishore Kumar , born Abhas Kumar Ganguly, was an Indian film playback singer and an actor who also worked as lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter.Kishore Kumar was one of India's greatest performers of the late 20th century...
, Lata MangeshkarLata MangeshkarLata Mangeshkar is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional...
, Amitabh BachchanAmitabh BachchanAmitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
Soundtrack
The Soundtrack is by the duo Kalyanji AnandjiKalyanji Anandji
Kalyanji Anandji is a name used by Indian composer duo known for its work on Hindi film soundtracks, particularly action potboilers in the 1970s. The name comes from first names of the two Gujarati brothers that formed the duo, Kalyanji Virji Shah and Anandji Virji Shah...
and the lyrics were written by Anjaan
Anjaan
Anjaan was the nom-de-plume of Lalji Pandey, the Hindi movie lyricist famous for songs such as Khaike Paan Banaraswala from Don and Rote hue aate hain sab from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar....
and Indivar
Indeevar
Shyamalal Bahu Rai, known professionally as Indeevar, was one of the leading Hindi film lyricists in the 1960s...
. Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar , born Abhas Kumar Ganguly, was an Indian film playback singer and an actor who also worked as lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter.Kishore Kumar was one of India's greatest performers of the late 20th century...
and Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle is an Indian singer. She is one of the best-known and most highly-regarded Hindi playback singers in India, although she has a wider repertoire. Bhosle's career started in 1943 and has spanned over six decades. She has done playback singing for over a thousand Bollywood movies...
received accolades at filmfare for the tracks "Khaike Pan Banaraswala" and "Yeh Mera Dil" respectively.
| Song Title | Singer | Lyricist | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Main Hoon Don" | Kishore Kumar Kishore Kumar Kishore Kumar , born Abhas Kumar Ganguly, was an Indian film playback singer and an actor who also worked as lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter.Kishore Kumar was one of India's greatest performers of the late 20th century... |
Anjan | 4:45 |
| "Yeh Hai Bombay Nagaria" | Kishore Kumar | Anjan | 5:53 |
| "Khaike Pan Banaraswala" | Kishore Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan Amitabh Bachchan Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades... |
Anjan | 3:57 |
| "Jiska Mujhe Tha Intezar" | Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar Lata Mangeshkar Lata Mangeshkar is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional... |
Anjan | 4:20 |
| "Yeh Mera Dil" | Asha Bhosle Asha Bhosle Asha Bhosle is an Indian singer. She is one of the best-known and most highly-regarded Hindi playback singers in India, although she has a wider repertoire. Bhosle's career started in 1943 and has spanned over six decades. She has done playback singing for over a thousand Bollywood movies... |
Indeevar | 4:18 |
Awards
- Amitabh BachchanAmitabh BachchanAmitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
won Filmfare Award for Best Actor, for this movie. - Asha BhosleAsha BhosleAsha Bhosle is an Indian singer. She is one of the best-known and most highly-regarded Hindi playback singers in India, although she has a wider repertoire. Bhosle's career started in 1943 and has spanned over six decades. She has done playback singing for over a thousand Bollywood movies...
won Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Yeh Mera Dil". - Kishore KumarKishore KumarKishore Kumar , born Abhas Kumar Ganguly, was an Indian film playback singer and an actor who also worked as lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter.Kishore Kumar was one of India's greatest performers of the late 20th century...
won Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Khaike Paan Banaraswala".
Behind the scenes
Producer and cinematographer Nariman Irani was in a financial mess when his film Zindagi ZindagiZindagi Zindagi
Zindagi Zindagi is a 1972 Bollywood romance film directed by Tapan Sinha. The film stars Deb Mukherjee, Waheeda Rehman, Farida Jalal and Ashok Kumar . The film revolves around life in a village hospital.-Cast:*Jalal Agha … Ratan...
(1972) starring Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt , born Sunil Balraj Dutt, was an Indian Hindi movie actor , producer, director and politician. He was the cabinet minister for Youth Affairs and Sports in the Manmohan Singh government...
flopped. He was in debt for Rs12 lakhs and couldn't pay it off on a cinematographer's salary. When he was doing the cinematography for Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar is an award-winning Indian actor and director in the Bollywood film industry. He is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes, and has been given the nickname "Mr Bharat"...
's major hit Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974), the film's cast (Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
, Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman is an Indian actress who has appeared in Hindi films, notably in the 1970s and 1980s. She was the second runner up in the Miss India Contest and went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific in 1970...
, Pran) and crew (assistant director Chandra Barot) decided to help him out. They all recommended that he produce another film and that they will participate in the film. They all approached scriptwriting duo Salim-Javed
Salim-Javed
Salim-Javed were a scriptwriter duo who wrote a number of commercially and critically successful Hindi films in the 1970s and early 1980s. The duo, composed of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, made the writer's role popular with their names appearing in the posters of the films, and in some films they...
, who gave them an untitled script that had already been rejected by the entire industry. The script had a character named Don. Bachchan would play Don, and Barot would direct the film. Aman and Pran would play key roles in the film. The film took three-and-a-half years to complete. Before filming was completed, producer Irani had an accident on the set of another film he was working on, and died as a result. Barot faced budget restraints but he got help. Aman did not take any money for her work in the film. Barot showed it to his mentor Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar is an award-winning Indian actor and director in the Bollywood film industry. He is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes, and has been given the nickname "Mr Bharat"...
, who felt that the film was too tight and needed a song in the midst of the action-filled film, and so "Khaike Paan Banaraswala" was recorded. The film was released without any promotion on 12 May 1978 and was declared a flop the first week. Within a week, the song "Khaike Paan Banaraswala" became a big hit, and word of mouth spread, so by the second week, the film was also declared a big hit. The profits from the film were given to Irani's widow to settle her husband's debts.
Influence
Don has elements of Shakti SamantaShakti Samanta
Shakti Samanta was an Indian film director and producer, who founded Shakti Films in 1957, which is most known for films like Howrah Bridge, China Town, Kashmir Ki Kali, An Evening in Paris, Kati Patang and Amar Prem.He received Filmfare Awards for Best Film for Aradhana, Anuraag and Amanush,...
's film China Town (1962) and is apparently inspired by it. The movie had Shammi Kapoor
Shammi Kapoor
Shammi Kapoor was an Indian film actor and director. He was a prominent lead actor in Hindi cinema from the late 1950s until the early 1970s....
playing the double roles of both a gangster and his lookalike - a common man turned informer. Don was itself later remade several times.
Remakes in languages
- Don was first remade in 1979 in TeluguTelugu languageTelugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
as YugandharYugandharYugandhar was a 1979 Telugu remake of the hit Hindi film Don. It starred N.T. Rama Rao, Jayasudha, Jaggaiah, Sheela and Chalam. Jayamalini does a dance number in the film. The director was K. S. R...
, starring N.T. Rama Rao. - It was also remade in 1980 in Tamil as BillaBilla (1980 film)Billa is a 1980 Tamil film produced by K.Balaji and directed by R.Krishnamurthy. The film stars Rajinikanth, Suresh Balaje, Thengai Srinivasan, Manorama, Sripriya, Reena Roy and Major Sundarrajan...
, starring RajnikanthRajnikanthRajinikanth is an Indian film actor, media personality, and cultural icon. He made his debut as an actor in the National Film Award-winning motion picture Apoorva Raagangal , directed by K. Balachander, whom the actor considers his mentor....
. - In 1986, the movie was remade in Malayalam as Sobharaj, starring MohanlalMohanlalMohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
.
Other versions
- One HindiHindiStandard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
remake was titled Dav Pech (1989), starring JeetendraJeetendraJeetendra born Ravi Kapoor is an Indian actor and television producer...
. It was unsuccessful. - Don was then remade in 2006 in Hindi starring Shahrukh KhanShahrukh KhanShahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
, titled Don - The Chase Begins AgainDon - The Chase Begins AgainDon: The Chase Begins Again is a 2006 Indian action film directed by Farhan Akhtar. It is a remake of the 1978 film Don. The film is produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under their home banner Excel Entertainment. The film stars Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Arjun Rampal, Ishaa...
. It was inspired by the Tamil directors who made the Ajith KumarAjith KumarAjith Kumar is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He began his career as a supporting actor in a Telugu film before gaining critical recognition in the Tamil thriller Aasai . A succession of high-grossing films followed where Ajith was usually depicted as a romantic hero, with...
starrer BillaBilla (2007 film)Billa is a 2007 Tamil gangster-thriller film directed by Vishnuvardhan. Based on the 1980 Tamil film of the same name and the 2006 Hindi film, Don: The Chase Begins Again, it was adapted by the director, who rewrote portions of the film from the original...
— a remake of the same-titled Rajinikanth film. - In 2009, a second Telugu remake titled BillaBilla (2009 film)Billa is a 2009 Telugu gangster-thriller film film directed by Meher Ramesh, a remake of the 2007 Tamil Film of the same name. But some scenes were changed to suit the Telugu audience. It also drew inspirations from the Telugu film, Yugandhar which drew inspirations from another Hindi film...
was released. This remake was moreover inspired by the Tamil remake. - Duplicate (1998), directed by Mahesh BhattMahesh BhattMahesh Bhatt , is a prominent Indian film director, producer and screenwriter.Bhatt's early directional career consisted of acclaimed films, such as Arth, Saaransh, Janam, Naam and Zakhm....
and starring Shahrukh KhanShahrukh KhanShahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
and Juhi ChawlaJuhi ChawlaJuhi Chawla is an Indian actress, film producer and television presenter.After being crowned as the winner of the Miss India beauty contest in 1984, Chawla pursued an acting career...
, is partly a parodyParodyA parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
of Don. - The 2007 Hollywood movie The Death and Life of Bobby ZThe Death and Life of Bobby ZThe Death and Life of Bobby Z, also known as Bobby Z and Let's kill Bobby Z, is a 2007 American action film, directed by John Herzfeld, and stars Paul Walker, Laurence Fishburne, Olivia Wilde and Joaquim de Almeida...
had a similar premise to this movie, i.e., a lookalike of a gang leader is asked to masquerade as him by law enforcement officer(s), though the remainder of the plot was largely different. The movie received negative critical and commercial reactions. - A film with the similar plot line was made starring Bollywood actress Rekha. The film was named Madam X. The plot was similar that the look-alike of a don replaces him after the Don was caught/died. The look-alike was used to catch the whole gang which has international network in drugs and smuggling. Madam X has the same plot: The lead character is a gangster who is caught and replaced in the gang by her look-alike who was a road singer. This film was not a big hit but showed the acting prowess of Rekha who was on the top in the industry when it was released.
A sample from the song "Yeh Mera Dil" was used by The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
for their hit 2005 song "Don't Phunk with My Heart
Don't Phunk with My Heart
"Don't Phunk with My Heart", titled "Don't Mess with My Heart" on some radio edits, is a song by The Black Eyed Peas from their fourth album Monkey Business. It was released as the lead single from the album on May 10, 2005....
." The song won the Black Eyed Peas their first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group was awarded between 1991 and 2011, alongside the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. Previously a single award was presented for Best Rap Performance....
, while the composers for "Yeh Mera Dil", Kalyanji Anandji
Kalyanji Anandji
Kalyanji Anandji is a name used by Indian composer duo known for its work on Hindi film soundtracks, particularly action potboilers in the 1970s. The name comes from first names of the two Gujarati brothers that formed the duo, Kalyanji Virji Shah and Anandji Virji Shah...
, were awarded the BMI Award
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
for being the originators of the melodies used in "Don't Phunk with My Heart."
The third season American Dad!
American Dad!
American Dad! is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane and owned by Underdog Productions and Fuzzy Door Productions. It is produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television...
episode "Tearjerker
Tearjerker (American Dad!)
"Tearjerker" is the tenth episode of the third season of the animated comedy series American Dad!. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on January 13, 2008...
" uses the 1978 Don theme music in its intro sequence.
Don series
The film was remade in 2006 as Don: The Chase Begins Again starring Shahrukh KhanShahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
in the lead role of Don, Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra is an Indian actress and former Miss World. Before starting her acting career, she worked as a model and gained fame after winning the Miss World title in 2000. She is often referred to by the nickname "Piggy Chops", which was given to her by co-stars on the set of the film...
as Roma, Arjun Rampal
Arjun Rampal
Arjun Rampal , born 26 November 1972, is an award-winning Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films, as well as a fashion model.- Film career :...
as Jasjit, Boman Irani
Boman Irani
Boman Irani is an Indian film and theatre actor and photographer. Irani began his acting career in theatre and moved to film in 2000 at the age of 44 with a role in Josh...
as D'Silva, and Om Puri
Om Puri
Om Puri is an Indian actor who has appeared in both mainstream Indian films and art films. His credits also include appearances in British and American films. He has received an honorary OBE.-Early life:...
as Malik. It was directed by Farhan Akhtar
Farhan Akhtar
Farhan Akhtar is an Indian filmmaker, script writer, actor, playback singer, lyricist, film producer in Hindi cinema and a television host.His directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai won a National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi...
. With some changes in script, the film proved to be one of the highest grossing films of the year. A sequel to that film, Don 2 - The Chase Continues
Don 2 - The Chase Continues
Don 2 is an upcoming Indian action thriller film written and directed by Farhan Akhtar. It is a sequel to the 2006 film, Don: The Chase Begins Again. The film stars Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra in the lead roles and also Om Puri, Lara Dutta and Kunal Kapoor in supporting roles...
is being made and is releasing on the 23rd of December, 2011.