In a recent exclusive interview with renowned film historian Dilip Thakur, insights into the making of the iconic 1978 Bollywood film ‘Don’ have resurfaced, fueled by the buzz surrounding Farhan Akhtar’s upcoming ‘Don 3’ and the addition of Kiara Advani to the cast.
Thakur shared intriguing anecdotes and behind-the-scenes tales, revealing that director Chandra Barot, previously an assistant on Manoj Kumar’s ‘Roti Kapada Aur Makaan,’ collaborated with cinematographer Nariman Irani to create ‘Don.’ Unfortunately, before the film’s completion, Irani passed away. Despite the financial challenges, the cast, including Amitabh Bachchan, completed the film without taking the remaining payment, and ‘Don’ went on to become a blockbuster.
During an interview with Salim Khan, Thakur discovered that ‘Don’ held a special place in the hearts of the scriptwriters. “Salim Khan mentioned that ‘Don’ was the best script they ever wrote,” said Thakur, attributing the film’s success to its intriguing plot filled with twists and turns.
Delving into the musical aspect, Thakur revealed that the iconic song ‘Khaike Paan Banaras Wala’ was not originally composed for ‘Don’ but for ‘Banarasi Babu’ by Kalyanji-Anandji. However, Dev Anand rejected it. The song, featuring Kishore Kumar chewing paan, became a pivotal asset in ‘Don’s success, despite initial lukewarm responses.
Thakur highlighted that ‘Don’ faced a tepid initial response, but the infectious energy of ‘Khaike Paan Banaras Wala’ turned the tide, establishing the song as a game-changer in Hindi cinema. In conclusion, he emphasized the song’s pivotal role in building momentum for the film, ultimately solidifying ‘Don’ as one of the most riveting narratives of its time.
