Aamir Khan, director Ashutosh Gowariker, lyricist Javed Akhtar, and music composer A. R. Rahman looked back at the struggles, risks, and unforgettable moments that shaped the film.

The magic still remains after 25 years

Released on June 15, 2001, Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India changed the course of Hindi cinema. Based on the story of a drought-hit village challenging the British to a cricket match, the film earned global recognition and was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars, though it could not win the award.

At the event, Aamir Khan said no one had imagined that the film would remain alive in people's hearts even after all these years. He said, 'At that time, we didn't know whether the film would work or not. It feels wonderful that people still remember it after so many years.'

When Aamir said, 'This is a terrible story'

One of the most entertaining revelations came when Aamir admitted that he had initially rejected the film's concept. He said, 'When Ashutosh first narrated the story of villagers playing cricket against the British to avoid paying taxes, I told him, 'This is a terrible story; I don't understand it.''

However, three months later, Ashutosh returned with the complete script. Aamir listened without any expectations, but this time he was completely impressed. He said, 'As he kept narrating, I was completely hooked. By the end, I was stunned. I had never heard such a brilliant script before.' Aamir also revealed that agreeing to produce the film was not easy for him, especially after watching his father, Tahir Hussain, struggle as a producer. 'It took me one and a half years to finally say yes to Lagaan.'

Lagaan came during Ashutosh's difficult phase

Director Ashutosh Gowariker shared that Lagaan came at a difficult time in his career. His previous two films had failed, and he wanted to create something completely different. He said the story began with seven very different characters who eventually unite for a common cause. Ashutosh added that Aamir was always his first choice for the lead role. He said, 'I was very clear that A. R. Rahman would compose the music and Javed Akhtar would write the lyrics.'

Javed Akhtar had advised against making the film

Javed Akhtar admitted that he, too, initially felt the film was commercially risky. He said, 'I felt this film had all the elements that could make it fail in those days. I strongly advised Aamir and Ashutosh not to make it. Thankfully, they did not listen to me.'
He added that after watching the first cut of the film, he realised it was a masterpiece. In his words, 'The moment I watched it, I knew it was extraordinary, and I felt proud to be part of it.'

A. R. Rahman created a timeless score

A. R. Rahman said his biggest challenge was to ensure the music matched the emotional depth of the story. He wanted the soundtrack to remain timeless and collaborated with legendary singers like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.

Rahman also recalled an emotional moment during the background score recording when he saw tears in Aamir Khan's eyes. He said, 'Aamir asked me, 'What have you done to my film?' At that moment, I realised how deeply invested he was as a producer.'

The unforgettable songs

Every song in Lagaan became immensely popular and continues to be loved even today. Tracks like Mitwa, Ghanan Ghanan, and Radha Kaise Na Jale made the film even more special. A. R. Rahman's music added soul to every scene and elevated the cinematic experience.

About the film

Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India released in 2001 and was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. The period sports drama starred Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh in lead roles. The film also featured powerful performances by Suhasini Mulay, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rajendra Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Rajesh Vivek, Raj Zutshi, Akhilendra Mishra, Daya Shankar Pandey, and Yashpal Sharma. The British characters were portrayed by Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne, whose performances added authenticity to the film's narrative.