Aamir Khan's Journey in Producing Lagaan: Insights from His 2002 Interview

Aamir Khan's Adventurous Spirit in Film Production

Aamir Khan has always embraced adventure, so it’s no surprise that he wrapped up the shooting of his debut production, Lagaan, in record time. The film generated significant buzz in the industry, with questions swirling about its genre and whether Aamir had a hand in directing it alongside Ashutosh Gowariker. However, Aamir clarified his dedication to delivering a high-quality film.

Many of your peers avoid film production, yet you have taken the plunge. What role does Jhamu Sughand play in Lagaan?

Jhamu Sughand is financing the project, while I serve as the producer. A producer either has full budget control or secures funds from other sources. They are responsible for assembling the team, ensuring the film is made, and maximizing its market potential.

Did you find joy in your role as a producer?

Absolutely. I can’t fully assess my satisfaction with the film until I see the final cut. So far, it seems that Ashutosh and I have accomplished what we aimed for.

Did you maintain strict oversight of your cast and crew?

I believe I did. I communicated my vision clearly to the cast and crew, and most were aligned with my expectations. Thankfully, we didn’t encounter any major crises on set.

There was a wedding among your British cast members in Bhuj, correct?

Yes, we had forty junior artists, with twenty from London. One actor, Jamie, came with his girlfriend, and they expressed a desire to marry in India following local customs. We suggested they tie the knot on set, and I happily agreed to the ceremony, complete with traditional festivities.

If Mrinal Sen were to hear about this wedding, he might make a film about it.

A (laughs) It certainly was a memorable event.

Your leading lady, Gracy Singh, was selected over many established actresses. Did she deliver the performance you expected?

Yes, she did. While Ashutosh chose her, I supported his decision. We initially approached Rani Mukherjee, but due to scheduling conflicts, we turned to Ashutosh’s shortlist of new talents, and Gracy stood out as the perfect fit for the innocent village girl role.

Do you see her becoming a major star after this film?

I hope so. She is a talented actress and dancer, and I believe she will be a valuable addition to the industry. However, I had no involvement in casting decisions.

Was it coincidental that actors like Akhilendra Mishra and Mukesh Rishi, with whom you’ve previously worked, were part of this film?

Actually, Mukesh Rishi isn’t in the film. He informed me ten days before shooting that he had scheduling issues and requested to be released from his commitment, which I agreed to. We replaced him with Pradeep Rawat, who played Sultan in Sarfarosh. Ashutosh had shortlisted actors for each role, and I had asked him to finalize the cast before informing me.

Given your active involvement in filmmaking, how did you collaborate with Ashutosh Gowariker on Lagaan?

My relationship with each director develops organically. I engage as much as the director allows. In this case, as the producer, I could demand more interaction than I could as an actor. Ashutosh and I were friends, and I found him confident about the film. The script was his vision, and I often relied on his judgment. We had discussions and made decisions long before filming began.

Did he meet your expectations?

I believe so. He has shown remarkable growth since Baazi, and I would love to collaborate with him again.

Now that you’ve experienced production, will you continue making films?

Yes, I think so. Lagaan was a challenging project, especially with international actors and technicians involved. I hope my next film will be easier (laughs).

What character do you portray in Lagaan?

My character, Bhuwan, is a simple villager. I learned to wear a dhoti in just one day. He is strong-willed, honest, and possesses the ability to rally his village against injustice without inciting rebellion.

Is Lagaan a groundbreaking film?

That’s a lofty term, but there’s certainly no other film quite like Lagaan. We constructed an entire village set in Bhuj.

J.P. Dutta mentioned that the locals were very supportive. What was your experience?

Indeed, they were incredibly helpful. We employed many local workers to build the set, incorporating local architectural styles to ensure authenticity.

Did you leave the village set intact after filming?

No, the land belonged to local farmers. We rented it for a year and compensated them for their potential earnings during that time. We returned the land in its original condition.

Was it difficult for you to see the set demolished?

I didn’t stay to witness that moment; I left before the demolition.

What type of music has A.R. Rahman composed for Lagaan?

Lataji has sung a bhajan for the film. While it’s not period-specific music, Ashutosh instructed Rahman to create a sound that feels authentic to the era without being modern. Rahman achieved this beautifully. Initially, I spoke with Rahman, and after he liked the script, I informed him that Ashutosh would provide further direction. Rahman visited Bhuj a couple of times, and I enjoyed observing his creative process.