Okay, rewind your minds with me for a second. Picture this: cruising the aisles of the local video store, maybe "Global Video" or "Starlite Rentals," looking for that perfect weekend watch. Tucked away, perhaps slightly worn from repeated rentals, you might stumble upon a tape with a charismatic, intense-looking Amitabh Bachchan staring back at you. That tape? Likely the 1978 Bollywood phenomenon, Don. Finding this gem felt like unearthing treasure, a ticket to a world of slick thrills, double-crosses, and unbelievable cool that practically leaped off the fuzzy CRT screen. This wasn't just any movie; it was an event, even years after its release, discovered and rediscovered on glorious VHS.
### From Troubled Shoot to Timeless Thriller
You wouldn't guess it from the film's undeniable swagger, but Don had a notoriously difficult birth. Helmed by first-time director Chandra Barot, the production dragged on for years, plagued by delays and financial woes to the point where it was almost shelved entirely. It's a classic "underdog triumphs" story from behind the camera! The faith kept by the cast and crew, particularly the powerhouse writing duo of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar (known to legions as Salim-Javed, the minds behind titans like Sholay and Deewaar), paid off spectacularly. What emerged wasn't just a hit, but an absolute benchmark for Indian action cinema.
The premise, cooked up by Salim-Javed, is pure pulp perfection: the ruthless, untouchable international smuggler Don (Amitabh Bachchan) is killed during a police chase. To infiltrate his gang, the shrewd DSP D'Silva (Iftekhar) recruits Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan again), a simple, good-hearted street performer from Bombay who happens to be Don's spitting image. The catch? Vijay must convincingly become Don, navigating a treacherous world of ruthless criminals and vengeful associates, all while trying to stay alive and feed information back to the police. It’s a brilliant setup for suspense, mistaken identity chaos, and, of course, explosive action.
### The Bachchan Phenomenon and Raw 70s Action
Let's be clear: Don is Amitabh Bachchan's show. His dual performance is legendary. As the villainous Don, he’s effortlessly cool, menacing, dripping with sophisticated charm even as he orders hits. Then, as Vijay, he’s goofy, earnest, and increasingly desperate, making his transformation utterly compelling. Watching him switch between these personas is pure movie magic. It's a testament to his star power that he makes both characters distinct and believable, even when things get wildly dramatic. Legend has it that the distinctive paan-chewing habit for Vijay was Bachchan's own suggestion to differentiate the character, a small touch that became iconic.
And the action! Oh man, this is where that raw, pre-CG energy shines. The car chases might seem quaint compared to today's physics-defying spectacles, but back then? They felt real, heavy, dangerous. Remember how visceral those practical stunts looked? Cars skidding, metal crunching – you felt the impact. The fistfights have that satisfying, bone-jarring quality, choreographed with a certain 70s flair but packing genuine punch. When guns went off, you saw the squibs burst, felt the concussive force – a world away from sanitized digital muzzle flashes. It’s this grounded, physical approach to action that gives Don its enduring gritty appeal.
Zeenat Aman as Roma deserves a huge shout-out too. She wasn't just eye candy; she was a force, infiltrating Don's gang herself for revenge, wielding guns and participating in the action with ferocity. Her stylish presence and proactive role were genuinely refreshing for the era.
### Behind the Scenes Magic and Music Mania
The supporting cast is equally memorable. The fantastic Pran, playing the streetwise acrobat JJ, brings warmth and surprising depth. Here’s a great retro fun fact: Pran’s character was reportedly added later in the production, partly because his involvement helped secure much-needed financing to finally complete the film after its long delays! His friendship with Vijay provides some of the film's most heartfelt moments.
You absolutely cannot talk about Don without mentioning its killer soundtrack by Kalyanji-Anandji. The title track is pure distilled cool, but the real showstopper is "Khaike Paan Banaraswala." Believe it or not, this iconic song, which became a national sensation, wasn't even in the original cut! After a test screening, veteran actor-director Manoj Kumar reportedly suggested adding a song to release tension in the second half. Barot and team quickly conceived and shot the sequence with Bachchan (allegedly nursing a foot injury!) giving it his all. It was pure serendipity, a last-minute addition that became one of the film’s most defining elements and a chartbuster for the ages.
### The Verdict on a VHS King
Don wasn't just a movie; it was a cultural moment. Despite its troubled production, it became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 1978, cementing Amitabh Bachchan's superstar status and proving Salim-Javed's Midas touch. Critics and audiences alike were blown away by its slick plot, charismatic performances, and thrilling action. Its influence is undeniable, spawning multiple remakes and inspiring countless action thrillers in India and beyond.
Watching it again now, perhaps on a cleaner digital print than my well-worn tape, the charm is absolutely intact. Sure, some elements feel gloriously of their time – the fashion, the dialogue delivery – but the core story, the central performance, and the sheer energy remain incredibly potent. It’s a masterclass in mainstream entertainment, crafted with genuine passion.
Rating: 9/10
Why? Don earns this high score for its near-perfect blend of thrilling action, unforgettable performances (especially Bachchan's iconic dual role), a brilliantly twisty Salim-Javed script, and a killer soundtrack. Its troubled production yielding such a polished, influential, and enduring classic adds to its legendary status. Minor 70s datedness can't overshadow its sheer entertainment power.
Final Thought: Don is pure, uncut cinematic cool, bottled lightning from the golden age of Bollywood thrillers – the kind of movie that made hunting through video store shelves an adventure, and still delivers a knockout punch today.