When ‘Lagaan’ hit theaters in 2001, it became both a critical and commercial triumph. However, the journey to bringing this iconic film to life was anything but smooth for director Ashutosh Gowariker. In a recent interview, Yashpal Sharma, who portrayed the character of Lakha, unveiled some fascinating behind-the-scenes details about the making of the 2001 classic.
Speaking with Friday Talkies, Yashpal shared that the film initially faced widespread skepticism. “Everybody including Javed Akhtar said Lagaan wouldn’t work,” he revealed. “Nobody will accept a village story or a hero in a dhoti and pagdi..” Despite Javed Akhtar being the film’s lyricist and AR Rahman its composer, even the industry’s veterans were uncertain about its potential.
Yashpal further recounted Ashutosh Gowariker’s struggle to find a leading star for the project. “I have heard he (Ashutosh) had this script for a very long time. He had even approached Shah Rukh Khan for the project, but apparently he wasn’t convinced with the script. He then approached Hrithik Roshan for the film, but he too declined it.”
The actor went on to highlight the global impact of ‘Lagaan’ after its release. “But that film did so well that it took us around the world. It was even nominated for the Oscars. It gave us exposure,” Yashpal said. He also mentioned how the cast spent about a month in the USA for the Oscars during the time of the 9/11 attacks, crediting Ashutosh for his unwavering belief in the film.
Interestingly, Aamir Khan, who ultimately starred in and produced ‘Lagaan’, initially rejected the film as well. In an interview with Pinkvilla, Aamir recalled his first reaction to the story: “When I heard Lagaan, in five minutes of its narration, I rejected it. I was like it is a story of people who are not able to pay ‘lagaan’ as there are no rains and they play cricket with British people? I was like ‘What a bizarre thought is this? I told Ashutosh, ‘This is a strange story. I told him to get me a different story.’”
However, Aamir eventually came around after hearing the final script. ““I loved the final script of Lagaan and found it unbelievable. I told him, ‘It is a fantastic script and it does break the record of mainstream cinema. But I am scared to say yes. I can’t do it,” he admitted. It was only after his parents heard the story and were moved to tears that Aamir decided to take on the project, “Later, I would often think why am I not doing the film? Then I told Ashutosh to narrate the story to my parents. They heard it and were crying. They told me I should do it,” the actor added.
‘Lagaan’, which took nearly six months to shoot, not only marked Aamir Khan’s debut as a producer but also became a landmark film that defied the norms of mainstream cinema. The film’s legacy is a testament to Ashutosh Gowariker’s vision and persistence.
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