Director: Chandra Barot
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman and Iftekhar
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Bollywood have earned praise of Amitabh Bachchan. Following his rise to fame amid the 1970’s, Bachchan has transformed in a legendary Bollywood icon. Whether it’s inspiring teachers, frustrated fathers or patriotic leaders, Bachchan has played many strong characters. Arguably, Bachchan’s best strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare Indian actors that has always had strong presence which has elevated every movie he is in. Through his capabilities to create characters which audience can easily relate to, Bachchan has become a celebrated Bollywood icon that audiences value. Although he is best known for roles in Bollywood, Bachchan has proven he excels in every genre. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Bachchan has never lost long lasting passion for entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Bachchan has produced countless movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bachchan and admire all the films which he has made in his career. However, “Don” definitely stands out as his most iconic role. Released in 1978, Chandra Barot’s movie offered a captivating portrait of criminals. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it is one of the best Bollywood movies made. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Amitabh Bachchan, who portrays a cruel criminal that faces tension. Ultimately, what makes “Don” a Bollywood classic is broad appeal. Unlike most Bollywood films made in the 1970’s which are outdated today, the movie has aged beautifully. A breathtaking Bollywood classic about gangsters, there’s many strong reasons why “Don” is a movie worth watching.
“Don” tells the story of a ruthless gangster that engages in a lifestyle of crime causing tension. Amitabh Bachchan portrays Don, an evil gangster that has built a formidable reputation. Don has always gotten away in committing gruesome crimes without facing price to pay. However, Don’s life is in danger when he’s chased by a police officer. DSP D’Silva (Iftekhar) is a commanding police officer with a determination to track down criminals in India. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Don questions whether it is possible for him to be a truly successful gangster. Faced with a dilemma, Don wonders whether it’s possible for him to commit crimes in India.
Chandra Barot is a newcomer towards the crime genre. Before he made “Don”, Barot had never made a gangster film before. It marked the filmmaker’s first ever attempt capturing the struggles faced by gangsters experiencing adversity but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Barot captures a gangster upon a journey to find identity. Emulating Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, Barot effectively employs montages to capture gangsters whose lives are in grave danger. For instance, montages elevate the crimes scene. During this tense scene, Don commits a series of crimes that go undetected by police. Through stunning montages, Barot creates a strong portrait of gangsters that’s compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” clearly proved, montages enhance Bollywood films about downtrodden families. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using bold visuals, Barot captures gangsters that face tension.
Another admirable aspect of “Don” meriting appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the finest Bollywood films you’ll see. Taking inspiration in Martin Scorsese’s “Mean Streets”, Barot deftly uses costumes to capture the tensions faced by gangsters on mean streets. Throughout the movie, Don’s costumes showcase his strong transformations in a gangster. For instance, costumes enhance the Are Dewano Mujhe song scene. During this memorable scene, Don showcases authority as a gangster by a musical number. Using strong costumes. Barot creates a portrait of a gangster that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the heavy burdens that gangsters bear. Using bold production, Barot captures the lives of gangsters facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Don” is a Bollywood movie that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses dramatic monologues to capture the lives of gangsters that experience tension. Throughout the movie, Don’s monologues showcase his transformation in a gangster. For instance, dramatic monologues elevate the final fight scene. During this memorable scene, Don delivers an emotional speech to showcase his strong transformations into a gangster. Through captivating monologues, Barot creates a portrait of gangsters which audiences can relate to. Monologues aren’t easy techniques to use in movies. As Aditya Chopra’s “Mohabbatein” proved, dramatic monologues elevate Bollywood films about college students. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Barot captures gangsters that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Amitabh Bachchan delivers one of his best performances as Don. Bachchan achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroes in Bollywood movies. With “Don”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a gangster that engages in crime causing tension but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: bravery, charismatic and vulnerable in his most complex role. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, grief and tensions of a gangster. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actors in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Bachchan, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of recognition. Zeenat Aman is spectacular, capturing the fervour of a prostitute that engages in a love affair with a gangster. Iftekhar is incredible, and brings authority to a police officer seeking to apprehend a criminal that’s evil. Finally, Helen merits appreciation. As a female spy, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “Don” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing gangsters which face tension. Unlike most Bollywood films made in the 1970’s which are outdated, it has aged beautifully. The movie discusses relevant themes including ambition, mental health and trauma which would absolutely resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Indian culture to enjoy it. Therefore, “Don” is one of those rare crime films everyone would adore.
Fans of Amitabh Bachchan will absolutely appreciate “Don” and so would audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A bold Bollywood crime drama, it celebrates an actor with charisma.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about gangsters that engage in crime causing tension, it’s a riveting reminder about a legendary Indian actor that has created a strong reputation through his abilities to portray compelling characters in iconic movies earning appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 