Akhilendra Mishra has mirrored on how Lagaan turned a turning level for Indian cinema on the worldwide stage and the way Aamir Khan performed a vital function in paving the way in which for future Indian movies on the Oscars. In a current interview, Mishra revisited the skepticism the movie initially confronted and the historic shift it will definitely led to.Recalling India’s early Oscar historical past, Mishra advised Hindi Rush, “Mom India was nominated in 1956, turning into the primary Indian movie to achieve the Oscars. After that, there was an extended hole. Individuals usually point out Salaam Bombay! on this context, nevertheless it wasn’t technically an Indian movie—it was a British manufacturing, regardless that its backdrop and soul have been Indian. Its Oscar entry got here from Britain.”
How Lagaan modified world notion of Indian cinema
In response to Mishra, the panorama modified dramatically with the discharge of Lagaan in 2001. “After Mom India, the subsequent massive second got here in 2001 with Lagaan. Earlier than that, Indian movies weren’t even being thought-about critically. Lagaan modified that notion. Individuals all of a sudden realised that Indian filmmakers might make movies of this scale—grand, conversational, and bigger than life. The best way the movie merged historical past with cricket was extraordinary. It was really historic.”Reflecting on Lagaan’s Oscar loss, Mishra described it as a matter of timing somewhat than advantage. “The explanation Lagaan didn’t win the Oscar was as a result of No Man’s Land was an especially sturdy and sensational movie that yr. Lagaan completed at quantity two—only a mark or two away. It was sheer onerous luck.”
Contained in the Oscars night time with Aamir Khan and the Lagaan workforce
He additionally shared reminiscences from the night time of the Academy Awards. “That complete night time, the Lagaan workforce, together with Aamir Khan’s manufacturing workplace, stayed up watching the ceremony. Once we stepped out within the morning, all the media was ready. Aamir was there the entire night time. We met round 6 a.m. and spoke at size.”Mishra revealed that whereas capturing, the workforce sensed they have been a part of one thing particular, although none imagined an Oscar nomination. “Whereas making Lagaan, we all the time felt that the movie would do one thing particular. We used to sit down collectively and discuss—‘What a shot! What a shot!’ Even throughout random scenes, we’d marvel, ‘What is that this movie turning into?’ However nobody imagined it will go to the Oscars and even get nominated. That was really wonderful.”Praising Aamir Khan’s management, Mishra added, “Aamir Khan handled all of us like household. He saved everybody collectively all through the journey.”The actor additionally recalled the extraordinary field workplace dialog surrounding Lagaan’s launch, because it clashed with Sunny Deol’s Gadar. “When Lagaan launched, it clashed with Gadar on the field workplace, and there was plenty of dialogue round that. Each movies did phenomenal enterprise. Apparently, Aamir Khan and Sunny Deol had earlier delivered large hits along with Ghayal and Dil. So individuals have been already speaking about that connection.”
‘Only a cricket movie’: Why many doubted Lagaan
Nonetheless, earlier than its launch, Lagaan confronted widespread doubt. “Earlier than Lagaan launched, many individuals dismissed it, calling it only a ‘cricket movie.’ Press members would ask me, ‘You’ve performed cricket—what is that this movie?’ Ashutosh Gowariker’s earlier movies, Baazi and Pehla Nasha, hadn’t labored, so the business had little religion. Nobody believed he might make a movie like this, not to mention one that will go to the Oscars and change into a blockbuster.”The movie’s success in the end silenced all critics. “However when Lagaan launched, everybody fell silent.” Summing up, Mishra credited Aamir Khan for standing firmly behind the undertaking. “The true credit score goes to Aamir Khan—for believing within the script, in Ashutosh Gowariker, and in all the unit. He stood by the movie it doesn’t matter what. He backed it utterly, and that’s what made the distinction. That’s the place Aamir Khan Productions really established itself.”