Don

Don

Year: 2007

Runtime: 145 mins

Language: Telugu

ComedyDramaAction

Surya’s police father is killed after arresting a gangster, leaving him to survive alone. He rescues a boy, Jadhav, and together they unite youth, eventually making Surya a feared don with lieutenants Bannerjee and Mathur. He aids the poor and falls for Mathur’s daughter Priya. Their lives are shattered when Pakistani gangster Feroz demands an alliance; Surya’s refusal triggers retaliation that threatens everything.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Don (2007)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Don (2007). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1987, 2007

Two eras drive the narrative: 1987, when Surya first emerges as a vigilante after avenging his parents, forming a loyal band of followers; and 2007, when he has become a powerful, benevolent don who collaborates with the police to dismantle corruption. The transition shows the evolution of his methods and influence as the underworld expands across the state. These periods frame the film's meditation on justice, loyalty, and power.

Location

Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai, Goa

Andhra Pradesh serves as the primary underworld backdrop in the 2007 timeline, with Hyderabad as a major city hub for Surya's operations. The story also travels to Mumbai and Goa, highlighting cross-state crime networks and power plays. The setting blends gritty urban crime with political corruption in a vibrant Indian landscape.

🌆 Andhra Pradesh 🏙️ Mumbai 🏖️ Goa

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:10

Main Characters – Don (2007)

Meet the key characters of Don (2007), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Don (Nagarjuna Akkineni)

Surya, also known as Don, begins as a vigilante who frees and protects the vulnerable and forms a loyal group of boys after avenging his parents' murder. By 2007, he has become a benevolent don who fights corruption and assists the police, shaping a unique code of honor in the underworld. His relationship with Priya provides a humanizing counterpoint to his ruthless methods, while his leadership is tested by rivalries with Stephen.

👑 Boss 🛡️ Protector 🗡️ Vigilante

Priya Mathur (Anushka Shetty)

Priya initially dislikes Surya but gradually sees his good nature and grows to love him. She acts as a moral center and emotional anchor amid the crime and power struggles. Her relationship with Surya adds a human dimension to the story and tests her loyalties as events unfold.

❤️ Love interest 🧭 Moral compass 💖 Romantic arc

Raghava / Jadhav (Raghava Lawrence)

Raghava is Surya's trusted lieutenant and sworn brother, leading a close-knit group of followers. He falls in love with Nandhini, and his loyalty to Surya is tested through battles, betrayals, and loss. His courage and devotion drive much of the film's action, culminating in a tragic but defining arc.

🗡️ Loyal lieutenant 💪 Muscle 💔 Tragic hero

Nandini (Nikita Thukral)

Nandini starts as a potential love interest for Raghava but is revealed to be Stephen's henchwoman. She betrays Raghava, and her fate contrasts with the loyalty shown by Surya and his circle. Her actions intensify the conflict and sharpen the sense of betrayal within the story.

🕵️‍♀️ Double agent 💔 Betrayal 🎭 Complex love triangle

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:10

Major Themes – Don (2007)

Explore the central themes of Don (2007), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔥 Power & Control

Surya's ascent from avenger to unchallenged don defines the central inquiry of power. He uses his influence to dismantle corrupt networks and protect allies, blending ruthlessness with a sense of justice. The theme explores how control reshapes loyalties and public perception.

🤝 Loyalty

Surya and Raghava forge a tight, brotherly bond that motivates their actions and decisions. They build a cadre of loyal followers who see Surya as a protector and leader. The theme is tested by rivalries, romantic entanglements, and the ethical compromises necessary to maintain power.

💔 Betrayal

Betrayal threads through the plot, from Bhushan's rape and murder of a minister's daughter to Nandini's reveal as Stephen's henchwoman. Surya's revelations about Bhushan and the investigative turmoil with the police chief highlight a broken trust in institutions. The final confrontation with Stephen frames betrayal as a catalyst for revenge and transformation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:10

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Movies about building a criminal empire like in Don

Ordinary individuals forced to build criminal empires, only to face the consequences.If you enjoyed Don's story of Surya's rise from the streets to become a feared don, you'll appreciate these movies. This collection features similar narratives about reluctant leaders building criminal empires, facing intense gang warfare, and navigating the heavy personal toll of power, perfect for fans of epic crime sagas.

vengefulruthlessloyalbetrayalpower struggledeterminedgrimsuspenseful

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a catalyst—a personal tragedy or systemic injustice—that pushes a morally conflicted individual into the criminal underworld. The story charts their strategic rise, the formation of a loyal 'found family' within their organization, and the escalating conflicts with rivals. The climax often involves a costly victory or a downfall, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of achieving power through sacrifice.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on the shared protagonist arc of an underdog ascending to a position of feared authority within a crime saga. They share a high-intensity, fast-paced tone focused on power struggles, loyalty, betrayal, and the heavy emotional weight of the criminal life.

Gritty revenge crime stories similar to Don

High-stakes gang wars where loyalty and revenge drive a violent, tense narrative.For viewers who liked the vengeful drive and tense gang warfare in Don, this list features movies with a similar feel. Explore stories where a thirst for justice or revenge within the criminal underworld leads to high-intensity action, brutal betrayals, and emotionally heavy conclusions, capturing the same gritty, determined vibe.

vengefulviolenttensebetrayaldeterminedsuspensefulgrimruthless

Narrative Summary

The plot is typically triggered by a profound personal loss or betrayal that demands retaliation. The protagonist, often already embedded in or forced into a criminal world, navigates a path of escalating violence against a powerful rival. The journey is marked by suspenseful set pieces, tests of loyalty within their own circle, and a final confrontation that resolves the central conflict but leaves lasting scars.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their core engine of revenge set against a backdrop of organized crime. They share a consistently tense tone, fast pacing driven by retaliatory cycles of violence, and a heavy emotional weight derived from the costs of pursuing vengeance.

Unlock the Full Story of Don

Don't stop at just watching — explore Don in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Don is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Don Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Don, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Don Summary

Don Timeline

Track the full timeline of Don with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Don Timeline

Don Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Don that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Don Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Don

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Don: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Don

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