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Don

Name: Don
Director: Farhan Akhtar
Released: 2006
Duration: 178 min

Representation Score

3.7/10

Limited

2006

PG-13

Director

Farhan Akhtar

Runtime

178 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Don is a sophisticated genre piece that uses the doppelgänger cliché to explore fragmented identities. It challenges binary morality by presenting a nuanced narrative focused on a non-Western perspective. The film successfully presents a culturally specific lens that contrasts with Western-centric action cinema. However, the film remains limited by its lack of representation for LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities. It also upholds conventional gender hierarchies despite featuring a strong female lead.

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Category Breakdown

Does Don have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows a traditional framework that assumes everyone is straight and cisgender, with no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters.

How does Don portray gender?

Fair

The film features a female character, Roma, who holds a professional position with equal intellect to the male leads. However, her storyline is still tied to conventional romantic clichés centered around the male protagonist.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Don?

Good

The film showcases a predominantly South Asian cast, highlighting a non-Western perspective set in an urban South Asian environment.

How does Don represent religion and culture?

Good

The story explores moral ambiguity through an anti-hero protagonist and criticizes state institutions by depicting law enforcement using manipulative tactics.

Does Don include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no visible or invisible disability representation among the main characters or supporting cast.

Present on Screen

The film offers a non-Western perspective that challenges the dominance of Western-centric action cinema.
It provides a nuanced exploration of moral ambiguity and situational ethics.
The character of Roma demonstrates professional equality and intellectual parity with male leads.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth characters.
There is no visible or invisible disability representation within the cast or character arcs.
Romantic clichés tie the female lead's arc to the male protagonist's trajectory.

Official Synopsis

DCP DeSilva sees a way to bring to justice the feared head of a criminal empire by recruiting a man named Vijay, who looks exactly like the crime boss. The ruse works too well, and soon Vijay finds his life in danger when DeSilva, the only one who knows his true identity, dies.

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