The Don Redux: Wait begins for the Ranveer Singh starrer

Let's look back on the five-decade legacy of Bollywood's most suave outlaw. The year was 1978. Written by the screenwriting duo Salim-Javed (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar) and directed by Chandra Barot, "Don"  released on May 12, 1978, marking the inception of a captivating series, focusing on the enigmatic criminal Don, starring superstar Amitabh Bachchan, with the dynamic Zeenat Aman (matching Big B with her own charisma in the short cut hair) and Pran. Actors Iftekhar, Satyen Kappu and Om Shivpuri also contributed to the ensemble cast of Don.

The film kicks off with Don's demise during a police pursuit, leading to the emergence of Vijay, his uncanny doppelgänger. With Vijay assuming Don's identity, the narrative weaves a gripping tale of intrigue as he delves into Don's criminal network.

Amitabh Bachchan and Helen in a scene in Don.

Helen's sizzling number Yeh Mera Dil.. in which she seduces Amitabh Bachchan to avenge her fiance's killing is another high-octane slice of the film. Yeh Mera Dil Pyar Ka Deewana composed by Kalyanji Anandji has the signature moves of Helen who sizzled  in a white, low-cut top with a low-waisted skirt with long slits while Big B's intense facial expressions heightened the tension of the audience. The song is still a superhit.

The  film's tension prompted also the inclusion of the song 'Khaike Paan Banaraswala' to which Bachchan danced to with his fractured leg, easing the pace, which ironically became a highly cherished moment.

Fast forward to the "Don: The Chase Begins" (2006), directed by Farhan Akhtar and starring Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Arjun Rampal. Released during Diwali on October 20, 2006, the film's revamped iteration continues the tale, with the look-alike criminal tasked to infiltrate Don's underworld machinations.

Priyanka Chopra's dynamic portrayal of an action-oriented character added a fresh dimension to her career. This time Kareena Kapoor is seen as an item girl as she reprised Helen's chartbusting number Yeh Mera Dil.. in a shimmering sequined golden dress.

The sequel, "Don 2," was spawned by the original's success. Released on December 23, 2011, it reunites Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra, along with the introduction of Lara Dutta.

The storyline shifts five years ahead, as the ruthless Don orchestrates a plan to dominate the European drug trade, prompting Roma (Priyanka Chopra) to join Interpol in pursuit. The film's mixed-to-positive reception didn't deter its box office power.

Shahrukh Khan played Don in two of the films of the franchise.

Looking to the future, a third sequel, "Don 3," is in the works and will be out in 2025, featuring Ranveer Singh in the titular role. While the absence of Khan in Don 3 might disappoint some, the excitement over Ranveer Singh taking on the iconic role, despite the film's two-year wait, is making rounds on the internet.

Speaking to BBC Asian Network, Farhan Akhtar said: "I’m just really looking forward to get it going. I mean Ranveer is amazing. He’s great for the part. He’s also as you can imagine, really excited and really nervous, about the thing you’re filling some big shoes before you."

"But we went through the same emotional process when Shah Rukh did it and everyone was like ‘Oh my God, how can you replace Mr. Bachchan?.’ That whole thing happened then."

Ranveer Singh plays the 'Don' in Farhan Akhtar's 'Don3'. A screenshot of his look from the teaser of the film.

He added, "It really is about an actor coming in and owning the part and making it really like, giving it their style and their flair. And he has that, he has that in spades. So, he’s going to do a great job. I think the responsibility is more mine now to make sure that the script and the film works out the way I imagine.”

This installment's anticipation rests on the success of its predecessors, promising to continue the saga of thrilling crime and intrigue that the "Don" series has consistently delivered.

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