Lagaan gave us memories for a lifetime; Aamir goes down memory lane on the film completing 20 yrs

By Rajesh Ahuja

As Ashutosh Gowarikar's Lagaan, a film that created history for india at the  Oscars awards by becoming only the third film to bag a nomination at the prestigious awards, completed 20 years of its release,  its lead actor Aamir Khan today went down memory lane to recall his  sweet memories during the making of the film.

Reminiscing about the film, Aamir Khan,  in a video posted on social media,  said that Lagaan had been a 'difficult film to make ' At the same time, Aamir said that the film had given him memories of a lifetime of friendships made and the emotional bonds forged with his co stars snd crew.

Aamir thanked all the people who traveled with him 'on the memorable journey to make the film'. He also thanked the audiences for giving tremendous love and adulation to the film.

''It is a happy day for us, as Lagann has completed 20 years. Lagaan was  an extremely difficult film to make. It was a film which took a lot of 'Lagaan'(effort) from all of us. We had to face a lot of challenges during the making of the film.
However,  all the 'Lagaan' paid during the making of the film was repayed to us with interest.  The efforts that went into its making were all worth it.  Lagann gave us everlasting memories of friendships made during its making and emotional bonds forged with ourvco stars,'Aamir khan said.

'On this special day, I want to thank all the people who travelled with us on the memorable journey of making the film.Thanks to our director  Ashutosh gowarikar, the cast and crew of the film and, our distributors and exhibitors.

.Most importantly,  I would like to thank the audience that gave so much love snd adulation to the film.This film has given so much to me for which am deeply thankful,Aamir said.

The superstar  said that he looked forward to his  meeting with the team of Lagaan this evening to celebrate 20 years of the film.

Aamir khan goes down memory lane on Lagaan completing 20 years 

Earlier,  in a statemen issued on the film completing 20 years, Lagaan director Ashutosh Gowariker said, “the box office response to my first two films jolted me. It also enlightened me to come back with a story that I believed in. A story that will all encompass a cinema-loving audience. And the outcome was the script of Lagaan. And I was fortunate to have Aamir back me on this one, despite our previous film not setting the box office on fire. It is extremely difficult to convince Aamir to do a film, but once he commits, that is the greatest moment for the director. And I can’t thank him enough. Lagaan has been a most cherished and fulfilling experience for me. I thank the audiences for showering so much love and admiration to Lagaan over the years – 20 to be precise!!”

Written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, and produced by Aamir khan Productions,  Lagaan, released in English as Lagaan  once upon a time in India, starred Aamir Khan, along with debutant Gracy Singh and British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne in supporting roles.

Set in 1893 during the British rule, Lagaan revolves around a small village in Central India, whose inhabitants, burdened by high taxes, and several years of drought, find themselves in an extraordinary situation as an arrogant British army officer challenges them to a game of cricket, as a wager to avoid paying the taxes they owe. The  villagers face the arduous task of learning a game that is alien to them and playing for a result that will change their village's destiny.

Released on 15 June 2001, Lagaan received widespread critical acclaim and awards at international film festivals, as well as many Indian film awards.

 It became the third Indian film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film after Mother India (1957) and Salaam Bombay! (1988).

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India, the cast and crew of the period sports drama are coming together for a reunion special. The reunion titled 'Chale Chalo Lagaan - Once Upon an Impossible Dream' will stream on Netflix India's YouTube channel.