silvan-desouza Amitabh by late 70s had become a reigning force overtaking everyone else, In 1978 he gave back to back 4 big hits like Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Trishul and Kasme Vaade, This may not be as dramatic as the earlier ones yet it's a great entertainer and works well as a thriller. The basic premise is similar to Shakti Samantha's China Town(1962) and Shatrughan Sinha starrer Kalicharan(1976)but yet it's a good film The film took a long time to complete and the producer Nariman's untimely death caused it quite some losses, finally it was released and to everyone's surprise it not only became a big hit but is also remembered till today. Strangely, Amitabh played a dual role in Kasme Vaade too. The film starts off superbly, Don's scenes are superb especially the famous dialogue Don Ko Pakadna which is recalled even today. Don's sudden death does come as a surprise and then Vijay's entry is superb and the going-ons get enjoyable when Vijay enters the gang as Don. There are several brilliant chases, action scenes though which may belong to the 70s but yet work well. The drama towards the second half when Vijay finds himself in a mess are superb. Though the film does tend to drag in the second half, also there are some stupid scenes like Pran walking on the rope and the entire climax which looks too funny, Yet in all fairness, the film keeps you entertained. The film was different compared to films made in 70s, It didn't have maa beta, no high pitched dramatic scenes. Direction by Chandra Barot who didn't do a film after this, is superb Music is a superhit and most of the songs are still remembered today Kalyanji Anandji score yet again, Kishore Kumar and Amitabh Jodi is superb here too, be it the title song, Jiska Mujhe Tha(with Asha), Khaike Paan and Yeh Hai Bambai, Asha also does a superb job in Yeh Mera Dil Camera-work is good, Dialogues are superbAmitabh Bachchan proves his versatility by portraying both the roles superbly, he is superb as DON while as Vijay too he excels, Something Srk couldn't succeed in the remake, Being from Allahabad himself, his bhojpuri accent works well. Zeenat Aman is superb in her part, while Pran is good in his role Kamal Kapoor, Macmohan, Om Shivpuri, Satyen Kapoo are all fantastic Helen is okay in a brief role, Arpana Chowdary as Anita is okay Shetty also leaves a mark

Ibuk This movie has to be one of the best thrillers of the 70's and it still packs a punch today. The reason is simple, you think you know the whole story then suddenly the plot twists leaving you all shaken up. The script by Salim Javed was absolutely superb. Amitabh excelled in a role he was born to play. Zeenat Aman provided good support as his love interest. Even Pran lent fantastic support.The action scenes were very well executed. The songs were simply mind blowing. My favourites were Khaike paan banaraswala and Mein hoon don. I saw the remake recently and to my surprise I was not disappointed. This movie ranks amongst the best thrillers Bollywood has ever made.

Aam Aadmi This movie is one of the earliest blockbusters of the 1970s that firmly launched Amitabh Bachchan in the superstar orbit.In an oft-repeated cop-robber plot, director Chandra Barot makes a film about a gangster don (no particular reference to any Mumbai underworld figure nor any sneaky take on a Hollywood film) who has eluded cops for a long time. "Don ko pakadna itna aasan nahin", says DCP D'Silva in an ominous tone that still resonates among the current duels between crime bosses and superstar cops like Daya Nayak.The essence of Don's charisma goes beyond the methodical framing of its central characters in what is a rather straightforward plot. Cleverly written dialogs that inspired an entire generation of moviegoers, shots and scenes that (at the time) defied the boundaries of all conventional wisdom, fabulous acting by the main and supporting cast, and a musical score by Kalyanji Anandji that is evergreen to this day -- those are of course what made Don such a memorable movie in the minds of many.Best thing is to go see it even if its your first or fifth time. Great movies such as this are way beyond Bollywood now, and it is doubtful if the current crap -- oops sorry, crop! of directors can ever concoct a compelling story such as this one.

Simon Booth Don is a very bad boy. In an international syndicate of smugglers, Don is the meanest of them all. Mess with Don and you're dead. It's not just difficult to catch the Don... it's impossible!Amitabh Bachchan plays Don like every cool dude rolled into one - Shaft, Dirty Harry, and err... other cool dudes! That is until he takes a bullet 30 minutes into the movie and dies. "Wait a minute - this movie is 3 hours long, and they've killed the title character already!" is bound to be your first thought at this. But it's alright, because the only man to see him die, the police 'DSP', happens to know of a man who is Don's exact double... and he has a plan. He trains up the amiable betel-nut chewing street performer in the ways of the Don, and sends him undercover to root out evidence against the rest of the gang. Here Amitabh gets to show his range - from badass cool dude to goofball to goofball pretending to be a badass cool dude, he fits the role (and those flared trousers) to a tee.Don has clearly been made from concentrated 1970's extract... and it's cheesier than a McDonald's Cheeseburger where they forgot to give you everything but the cheese - and when you go up to the counter to complain, they just give you more cheese . But even though you know it's probably going to make you fat and give you spots, you can't help going back for more. The movie manages to straddle that fine line between inspiration and idiocy where you find the rarest of substances - pure entertainment. This is not a movie to be taken seriously, and it could hardly be called a movie of great technical virtue. But Amitabh Bachchan takes the role(s) and gives them such a lot of character and life you can't help but love watching him. The crew of flared and paisleyed crooks and goons and the kung fu fighting revenge babe, the crippled tight rope walker and the well meaning but mostly simple police officers all make the Don's world an interesting environment to watch Amitabh at work and play too.And then there's the zoom lenses, the toe tapping funk tunes, the chase scenes that seem to leap miles between each cut, the fight scenes that are acted out in courteous slow motion (when they're not being bounced around on trampolines)... the song and dance routine opining on the virtues of mixing opiates and stimulants... With Tears Of The Black Tiger and Don all in one weekend I feel guilty, like I've just eaten a whole triple chocolate cake in one sitting... life just shouldn't be this much fun!If you've got 3 hours going spare, let the Don into your life too and he'll make you a happy chappy - I guarantee it!