Don (1978)

Seventies were the decade of crime-thrillers in Bollywood when a plethora of such movies were presented to the audience. Among them Don (1978) is a milestone movie which demonstrated what a quality crime-thriller is all about. It enhanced the popularity of already very popular Angry Young Man of India - Amitabh Bachchan.The word Don (perhaps) traces its origin to Don Vito Corleone of the classic work of Mario Puzo - The Godfather. However it's the Hindi movie Don which coined this term in the world of Indian fiction (both movies and books), rendering its meaning as a gangster.The hero of this movie is an international criminal Don (Amitabh Bachchan) who leads a smugglers' gang but himself works for another gangster Vardhaan. It's Don who remains in limelight and being chased by the police whereas very little is known about Vardhaan. Don is a very smart, cunning, dangerous and ruthless criminal who is very difficult to be got better of.However one day, this high profile and domineering gangster gets killed in a police encounter. However except the encountering police officer Mr. D' Silva (Iftekhaar), nobody knows that Don has died. Mr. D' Silva decides to take advantage of this situation as he knows a look-alike of Don whose name is Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan in another role). He ensures Vijay's entry to the gang of smugglers as their boss, i.e., Don so that the complete network of the smuggling activity can be caught by the law. In the gang, Vijay presents himself as Don to the members of the gang and stealthily keeps on searching significant information about the activities and links of the gang.Vijay has to remain wary of a girl Roma (Zeenat Aman) who is an expert in judo and karate and Jasjeet (Pran) who is a handicapped person because both of them are hell-bent upon settling their respective scores with Don. He comes to know of the existence of some Vardhaan whom Don and his gang works for but nothing is known about him. He wants to provide all the relevant information to Mr. D' Silva so that a huge police action could be carried out against the gang. However the sudden demise of Mr. D' Silva puts Vijay in deep trouble as now he is not able to prove before the law and the society that he's not Don because Mr. D' Silva was the only person knowing his real identity. The action-packed climax paves the way for Vijay's redemption once Vardhaan is unmasked.This highly entertaining and very well made movie inspired many movies to be made later viz. Daav-Pech (1989) starring Jeetendra in lead role and Madam X (1994) starring Rekha in lead role. Farhaan Akhtar straightaway made its remake in 2006 starring Shah Rukh Khan in lead role. Many other movies which did not lift the whole story of Don, also used certain ingredients of it. Meri Aawaaz Suno (1981) is also one such movie in which Jeetendra has played the lead role. But very few people know that the writers of Don - Salim-Jaaved themselves had written it by seeking inspiration from Shakti Saamanta's China Town (1962) in which Shammi Kapoor has played the lead role.Don is a fast-paced thriller with ample doses of comedy through the character of Vijay who impersonates Don. Right from the opening scene which establishes the title character as a bold, cunning, sharp-minded and authoritarian individual before the audience to the climax, the whole movie proves to be completely engrossing for any viewer. There is no moment of boredom in the movie and both the script and the direction (by Chandra Barot) have done complete justice to the original story idea. Salim-Jaaved used to write dialogs also and they have written impressive dialogs in sync with their script.Kalyanji Anandji have composed very good music for this movie containing the chartbuster as well as still very popular songs like Khai Ke Paan Banaraswaala, Arre Deewano Mujhe Pehchaano, Jiska Mujhe Tha Intezaar, Ye Mera Dil Pyar Ka Deewaana and Ee Hai Bambai Nagariya Tu Dekh Babua. These songs are counted among the all time popular songs of Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar.Technically, this movie is up to the mark with all the action and thrills being very good according to the norms of that period, good cinematography and art direction, effective background score and razor-sharp editing.All the principal characters have done justice to their roles and left their mark may it be very smart Zeenat Aman or the seasoned actor Pran or the villains or the actors like Iftekhaar and Helen whose roles have their own significance in the story. Who can forget Helen's performance on Ye Mera Dil Pyar Ka Deewaana ? And finally, Don is a memorable movie mainly because of Amitabh Bachchan. Nobody could do this role better than AB. His tall personality with the God-given extra-ordinary voice make him the ideal choice for the domineering role of Don. He looks like a real don who is chased by the police of many countries. The remakes of Don could not be as impressive as the original version because no other actor doing this role possessed such an extra-ordinary personality. Big B has delivered an unforgettable performance in the roles of sturdy Don and jolly Vijay.This movie is so impressive and carries such a high entertainment value that its being a blockbuster is not at all surprising. It has been re-released many times and it is capable of rocking the box office if released in theatres once more.

I saw the movie as a freshman in college and fell in love with this action thriller. It has every ingredient to keep the audience enthralled. It is fast paced with an amazing background score that you want to hear again and again. I still cannot get enough of the beginning of the film and its opening credits. It is just mind blowing.Amitabh Bachchan, what can I say about this great actor. I love every aspect of him be it his hairstyle, intense manner of speaking or his dignified appearance in so many films such as K3G, Baghban and Deewaar (1975). In the case of Don Amitji gives a lot of life to the character he plays. He is larger than life in so many films and Don is a classic example. He has amazing screen presence and his dialogue delivery is the best in the business. To sum it Amitji is a great actor who has enthralled billions of fans around the world and I am one of them. I admire him immensely.Other cast members do a very fine job. Zeenat Aman is sheer movie magic. Hats off to the cast and crew of the entire film which was very ahead of its times in the 70s. Music is wonderful especially yeh mera dil and kaike paan.This classic cannot be beaten by any remake such as the 2006 version starring King Khan. His version was good but Amitji's Don is the best.

DON IS COOL...DON IS HOT...DON IS SEXY...DON IS THE BAD BOY...DON IS SMART...DON IS HANDSOME...DON IS AMITABH BACHCHAN!!! Don is surely one of the finest and the best movies made in Indian Cinema... The direction is amazing...the script is amazing...such fine dialogs...(more about that soon)...amazingly thrilling story!!!...and of course...the heart and soul of the film=AMAZING AMITABH 'DON' BACHCHAN!!!The film is very well made...each and every character is very well etched out and great direction...good job Mr.Barot!!! The story is superb...it takes you through 3hrs of sheer excitement and thrill... and the dialogs....wow...The standout ones are surely those of Don: "Don Ko Pakadna Mushkil nahiin, Namumkin hai" "Don Zakhmi Hai to kya, phir Bi Don Hai" "Tum Jaante ho revolver Kali hai, main jaanta Hon Ki revolver Kali hai lekin Police nahiin jaanti Ki ye revolver Kali hai" "DSP, Mujhe giraftaar hone Ki aadat nahiin hai..." etc etc(there are many so...)---and WHO COULD HAVE DELIVERED SUCH DIALOGUES other that the REAL DON HIMSELF-AMITABH BACHCHAN!?? His stunning deep baritone voice, tall posture and personality, amazing facial expressions truly oozes reality and menace through silence into this character!!! Standing ovations to him!!!But Vijay too doesn't fail you here...He too has some stunningly simple and lovely dialogs: "In Kali Kali Nanon Se...Tu goo Na humko aye Gore!!!" "Pehle Pan...phir Gan!!!" etc etc(here too..there are many so...) ---Amitabh delivers these dialogs in the exact "Banarasi boy" accent which seems to come so naturally for him...Now we know why he is the A-Z of Cinema...He is the underworld sophisticated Don and the simpleton Vijay...Bravo Bravo BIG B!!! The show completely belongs to Amitabh Bachchan...he is the other name of 'Don' and truly so!!! He definitely deserves the Best Actor award for this film which he did get...!!!! Genius of an actor he is!!!The music also deserves a special mention here...the songs are a visual and audible treat to all...especially "Khaike Paan Banaraswala" and "Main Hon Don"...In the former...Amitabh jives and jumps amazingly with such simplicity and it is truly a treat to all viewers...and in the Latter...Amitabh proves himself the best looking(:=)) and the ultimate...The song too is another fast number and a visually enjoyable!!!...The other songs too are superb!!!Zeenat Aman and Pran too shine in the roles of Roma and Jasjit respectively...AND so do all others...But Under the Bachchan thunder, they get overshadowed by the Big B's amazing acting skills, screen presence and manly personality!!! In fact the film is the best entertainer one would ask for...SHOLAY--DEEWAAR---DON=Three of the best classics ever!!!The film is completely thrilling and exciting and if you have 3 hrs to spare...the go see Don!!! He will make you happy!!!

DON- A great film.I have seen it many times like I see all Amitji's films.Hats off to Mr.Chandra Barot for his excellent direction & making this a slick entertainer.Javed saab's script was terrific as usual. Not to forget the Late Nariman Irani & his family,who passed away during the making & how Chandra ji,Amitji,Zeenatji & the crew finished the movie to help the family out.Kudos to all. Next month we will see a new DON,starring King Khan & directed by Farhan ji.I know its going to be fabulous.The music of by Shankar,Ehsaan & Loy is already creating waves on top of the charts.The first promos are super.Iam a great fan of SRK & Farhanji,but I request people NOT to compare the two DON's.See the new DON in a new perspective.Amitji & SRK are great actors in different ways.