Genius Chandra Barot-Sir had great music sense, but he allowed us creative freedom for his movie 'Pyar Bhara Dil'", says composer Nikhil Kamath ! by Chaitanya Padukone

Undoubtedly modest, friendly nature, talented director Chandra Barot, who passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2025, was known for the legendary mega-hit movie 'Don' (1978) which featured Amitabh Bachchan's excellent performance in a contrasting double-role backed by evergreen timeless songs of both folksy flavour (Ee Hai Bambai Nagariya and Khaike Paan Banaraswala) and of western beats genre ( Yeh Mera Dil and Main Hoon Don ). As a senior film journalist, I shared a warm personal rapport with Chandra-jee. We used to cordially meet at various events and parties, or at media interviews, or speak on the phone. This was until a few years ago, when he had his major health ( critical pulmonary ailment) breakdown-- that's when we lost touch. I will really miss him.

Not many maybe aware,  that Chandra Barot  (he used to always respectfully call his mentor-friend Amitabh Bachchan-Sir as "Tiger") also directed several other movies, some of which could 'not' be completed and released ( like 'Master', 'Boss' Titlee and Time,), But dynamic Chandra was always optimistic and resilient by nature...

Meanwhile, there was this romantic musical hit movie produced by Anis-bhai and directed by Chandra Barot titled  'Pyar Bhara Dil ( 1991) which had melodious songs and music by the popular duo Nikhil-Vinay. The playback singers included Anuradha Paudwal, Kamal Barot, Udit Narayan, Kumar Shanu, and Abhijeet. This musical thriller romantic movie featured promising newcomers Tushar Vohra and Deepa. supported by famous star-actors like Tanuja, Rakesh Bedi, Alok Nath, Razaa Murad, Harish Bhimani, Reema Lagoo.

Most interesting to note was that being a romantic-at-heart, the sentimental Chandra Barot literally experienced a 'pyaar-bharaa-dil' during the making of this movie, and he gradually fell in love with the beautiful movie heroine Deepa. (Daughter of noted dance choreographer Vijay). Eventually, they got married to each other and remained a happily married couple

When I contacted composer Nikhil Kamath for his tribute to director-editor Chandra-jee, he seemed quite emotional as he went into a flashback mode. Recalled Nikhil, "  My working experience in 1991, with legendary director Chandra Barot, was the best thing that happened in my musical career and life. My first debut released Bollywood film "Pyar Bhara Dil as a music composer (duo-partner NIKHIL VINAY) was directed by Chandra Barot of iconic film Don fame. Chandra-Sir was a very friendly, kind-hearted person who was very passionate about his work. Although he had a great musical sense, he allowed the composer complete freedom.. You know, he never tried to tell us that you should compose like Kalyanji Anandji style or force his views around.  He would brief us and courteously accept whatever good compositions we had. He was very clear about his song situations and was great at his work," shared Nikhil

Continued Nikhil, " Many years later, when I went solo as a music composer, under the name Nikhil Kamath, he fully supported me. And I composed all the songs for his year 2015 directed film "Hum Baaja Bajaa Denge" ( HBBD)!  Believe me, I had no tensions as a composer working with him, and he gave me creative freedom.. There was a friendship song which Pankaj Udhas-ji and Anup Jalota-ji sang and recorded together, perhaps for the first time in HBBD movie, and even the song was picturised on both of them together. It was Chandra-Sir's idea.  He used to come during the dubbing, and I remember Asha Bhosle ji agreed to sing and record free of charge for Chandra Barot.  She smilingly returned the payment back. Chandra-Sir was a happy, family man Always positive and down-to-earth. He was a great leader, a dynamic, creative visionary, and was always concerned and cared about his team. I did six songs for Hum Baaja Bajaa Denge.  For the 1991 film Pyar Bhara Dil he went out of his way to call legendary drum-player-arranger Ranjit Barot to program the songs for me. Ranjit Barot was his nephew, whose mother was the legendary Kathak classical dancer Sitara Devi. All top-class playback singers were readily willing to come and record songs, just on hearing Chandra-Sir's name. He used to regularly send me messages on Facebook messenger and I was in regular touch with him.  I will always miss him," says popular viral-tending composer Nikhil, with tinges of sadness in his voice..

Read also:

• Himesh Reshammiya Concert: Pays Tribute to Soldiers, Salutes Operation Sindoor
• Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Update: Karan-Nandini Return? Photo Goes Viral
• Kantara: Chapter 1 – Rishab Shetty Wraps Shoot, Makers Share Exclusive BTS Video
• Shreyas Talpade Fraud Case: Supreme Court Stays Arrest, Actor Gets Major Relief