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Ashutosh Gowariker – an acclaimed director, actor, screenwriter and producer. He has been part of some awesome projects that we loved in different capacities. Ashutosh is known for directing films set on a huge canvas while boasting of an opulent treatment. He has directed films like Lagaan, Swades, Jodhaa Akbar, What’s Your Raashee? and more.
His film Lagaan even received a nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category in 74th Academy Awards. He was recently seen as an actor in Marathi film Ventilator (2016). He was also part of Star Plus’ Everest (2014) as the creator, producer, story and scriptwriter.
We take a look at 3 directorials where Ashutosh Gowariker stole our hearts:
Lagaan (2001)
Written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, the film stars Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, and Paul Blackthorne. The film set in the Victorian period of India’s colonial British Raj received critical acclaim and awards at international film festivals. Lagaan tells the story of a small village where they challenge an arrogant officer to a cricket match as a wager to avoid the high taxes imposed by the government.
https://youtu.be/tYT4AAxgFK4
Lagaan was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 74th Academy Awards. At the 49th National Film Awards, the film won eight awards including Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. It also won eight awards at the 47th Filmfare Awards, nine at the 3rd IIFA Awards and acclaims at the 8th Screen Awards.
Swades (2004)
This drama written, produced and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker is based on the true story of a Non-resident Indian man who returns to his homeland. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan, Gayatri Joshi, Kishori Ballal, Daya Shankar Pandey, Rajesh Vivek, and others. Swadesh is the first Indian movie to be shot inside NASA’s headquarters.
The film received widespread critical acclaim and is even considered a cult classic of Hindi cinema. The film received two Nationals Awards – Best Playback Singer Male and Best Cinematography. It also won two Filmfare Awards, two Global Indian Film Awards, a couple of Zee Cine Award and more.
Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
This historical romance was co-written, produced and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. It stars Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Sonu Sood, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Ila Arun. The film revolves around the love life of Mughal Emperor Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar and Rajput Princess Jodhaa Bai who becomes his wife.
It was a critical and commercial success. The film won the Audience Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the São Paulo International Film Festival. Also, it bagged two awards at the Golden Minbar International Film Festival, seven Star Screen Awards and five Filmfare Awards. It also had two nominations at the 3rd Asian Film Awards.
P.S.: Did you know the music of all three films has been composed by the two times Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman. Most songs in these films have been penned by Javed Akhtar.
On the work front, Ashutosh Gowariker is currently busy with Panipat which is set to release on 6 December 2019. The film stars Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and others.
