Aamir Khan recalls being reprimanded by assistant director Reema Kagti on the sets of Lagaan for eating slowly. Despite being a producer, he was asked to follow the schedule. The tale highlights the strict discipline during filming. Released in 2001, Lagaan remains a landmark film, having received an Academy Award nomination and eight National Awards in India’s history.
Ashutosh Gowariker’s ‘Lagaan’ will undoubtedly be one of the defining films of the 21st century. Marking Aamir Khan’s debut as a producer, the film not only stands the test of time, but has grown richer with age, setting a benchmark for commercial cinema in both storytelling and emotional depth.
Interestingly, the stories behind the scenes are just as interesting as what happens on screen.
Aamir Khan remembers being reprimanded by him Rima Kagti In “Lagaan” groups.
During a recent chat with Just Too Filmy, Aamir shared a humorous incident from the sets of Lagaan, where he was scolded by assistant director Reema Kagti, who later directed him in Talaash, for not being there on time for the photo shoot. “Lagaan had a lot of actors, and she was the second one,” he said, recalling that moment with a laugh.
She had to plan all the appointments, like who would come at what time, who would have breakfast and when, etc.
They used to set aside 15 minutes for breakfast, and I eat slowly, and do everything slowly, so I asked them to call me 15 minutes early. She scolded me and said, “For you, the entire hair and makeup team won’t be here for 15 minutes.”He added, “I’m the producer and she’s scolding me. I said, ‘It takes time for me.'” She said: “I don’t care, you have to come…” She spoke to me very harshly.
I felt hurt. I said: From now on, I will not eat breakfast. It didn’t affect her; “Very well,” she said, “You can be ready on time then.” A week later, feeling exhausted, I went back to eat breakfast there again.
‘Lagaan’ remains a landmark film in Indian cinema
Lagaan, which released in theaters in June 2001, is widely considered one of Indian cinema’s finest achievements. It remains the most recent Indian film to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and has also received eight National Film Awards.
