Menu
Lagaan can easily be considered as one of the most iconic films. It was even nominated for the Oscars. But did you know that Aamir Khan, who not only acted in it but also produced it, had initially rejected it?
Speaking at the 5th Screenwriter’s Conference in Mumbai, Aamir Khan said,
“I avoid listening to stories. That’s because from the story to the final script, there’s a big journey. When I first heard the story of Lagaan from Ashutosh Gowarikar, I had rejected it. The story was set in 1895 when it wasn’t raining. People couldn’t pay their taxes because of it and play cricket against the Britishers to not pay taxes. It was a bizarre story. I told Ashutosh to come up with a better story after which he disappeared from my life. Three months later, he called and said that he has a fully developed script which he wanted me to hear. I agreed & was supposed to meet me after a week or so. The one day I called him and asked if it was the same cricket story. He said yes & told me to listen to it as he had worked on it for three months. Then I finally agreed and thought I’ll say a no after hearing it. When I finally heard it’s screenplay, I was blown away by it. Then I realised that there’s a lot of difference between the story and the screenplay. Don’t judge a film’s story.”
Well, all we can say is that some films are destined to me made.
