20 Years Of Lagaan: Aamir Khan had heard the script of 'Lagaan' four times, the idea of the film was rubbish!
Credit: JNN
Lagaan, which reached the nomination in the Foreign Language Film category of the Oscar Awards, was released on 15 June 2001 and today has completed 20 years of age, but Lagaan's efforts did not diminish. The idea of a classic film like Lagaan was rubbish to Aamir at first.
New Delhi, Manoj Vashisht. Lagaan is one of those films of Hindi cinema that have proved their significance and relevance beyond the limits of time. Lagaan, which reached the nomination in the Foreign Language Film category of the Oscar Awards, was released on June 15, 2001 and today has completed 20 years of age, but Lagaan's efforts did not diminish.
However, you would be surprised to know that the idea of a classic film like Lagaan was rubbish to Aamir at first and he listened to the script four times before becoming the producer-star of the film. This interesting anecdote shared by Aamir in an interaction with the media. Full story in the words of Aamir... Cricket for rent waiver in 1893 - what a rubbish!
Ashutosh (Gowariker) narrated the story of Lagaan to me for the first time in two minutes. He said - there is a village. If it is not raining, the villagers are unable to pay the rent. To end the rent, they bet that they will play cricket. I really liked this idea.
I said - this is an idea! Playing cricket in 1893, to get the rent waived. I didn't understand anything. I said that your two films (first Nasha and Baazi) have not worked. Now working fine. He was a little disappointed. Then three months disappeared. After three months he called again that man, I have the script, when can I listen?
The wind blew after listening to the script
I said okay, let's hear next week. Then I got suspicious. I asked- man, is this not the same cricket story that you told. He did not respond. Just said that you listen. I said - if it is a cricket player, then I will not listen. I won't waste three hours.
Such a bad story, still you are working on it. He said that I have written. It's taken so long, you listen. I got annoyed, but friend, I have to listen. When I first heard the detail script, I was blown away. It was such a good script. Whatever you see in the film, 99% was the same.
Producer's search ended on its own
I said - Ashu, you have written the story very well, but it is a very difficult film. Who will make this? I was not a producer at that time. I was an actor Earlier, 'Baazi' of mine and Ashutosh had come, which was not very successful. I asked, how will we make this film? Who is the producer? Since both of us haven't done our previous film, no producer will trust us.
The resources needed for this film will not be available. I told him that you bring a producer first. The day you bring a producer, then I will, but don't tell the producer that Aamir Khan has said yes, because what will happen then? He is saying yes because of producer Aamir. Not saying yes because of Ashutosh or the story.
In the meantime, I said that if you want to make with someone else, then take a look. He narrated the story to many actors, but people did not understand. Every six months I used to tell him that man, heard it one more time. By doing this I listened three times. Whenever I used to listen, I used to think that I should do this film, man, but I did not have the courage. Then one night I was sitting alone.
I thought - if Guru Dutt, Vimal Roy, K Asif, Shantaram, Mehboob Khan were in my place, what would you be afraid of? If you want to be like them, then behave like them, brother. It gave me courage. At that time I decided that if I want to act in this, then I will have to produce. I cannot trust any other producer. However, I didn't want to be a producer as I saw my father producing.
Ammi-Abba and Reena joined the narration for the fourth time,
Then one last time I asked Ashu (Ashutosh Gowariker) to listen to me for the fourth time and in that narration I called Ammi-Abba Jaan. I don't call anyone in my narration. I listen alone I called Ammi-Abba for the first time. Called Reena for the first time, who was my wife at that time. Ammi-Abba Jaan, Me, Reena, Ashutosh, Jhamu Sugandh... There were so many people in my study room.
Narration started, ended. I was looking at all the faces. I was watching his expressions. I asked Ammi-Abba. He said only one thing that when the story is good then you should do it. Don't think ahead of him. Then I asked Reena. She said, I don't know whether you should or not, but I loved it. Ashutosh did not know all this. He thought that I was listening for the fourth time in Tafrih. I decided that day that I am producing a film and also acting.
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