Bollywood

Lagaan Turns 25: Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Kareena Kapoor Celebrate Iconic Film Milestone

Twenty-five years after it first captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India is being celebrated with a

Ankit Thakur 1 hour ago · 5 min read

Twenty-five years after it first captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India is being celebrated with a wave of nostalgia, reunion events, and tributes that underscore the film’s enduring legacy as one of Bollywood’s most iconic cinematic achievements. The silver jubilee celebrations reached a crescendo this week as Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Kareena Kapoor came together in a rare public appearance to honour the film that put Indian cinema on the global stage.

Released on June 15, 2001, Lagaan was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and produced by Aamir Khan under his Aamir Khan Productions banner. The film, set in the Victorian era during British colonial rule, tells the story of a group of villagers who stake their future on a cricket match against their British overlords to avoid paying an oppressive land tax (lagaan). The film’s unique blend of sports drama, patriotic sentiment, musical brilliance, and underdog storytelling resonated with audiences across cultural boundaries.

The Reunion That Made Bollywood Emotional

The highlight of the 25th-anniversary celebrations was an emotional reunion featuring members of the original cast and crew. Aamir Khan, who starred as the village hero Bhuvan and also produced the film, has been at the centre of the celebrations, participating in screenings, panel discussions, and media interactions that revisit the film’s remarkable journey from conception to Oscar nomination.

The presence of Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor at one of the celebration events added a touch of Bollywood glamour that transcended the film itself. The three superstars, photographed together in a moment that instantly went viral, represent the pinnacle of Hindi cinema stardom, and their joint appearance to celebrate Lagaan’s legacy was seen as a powerful endorsement of the film’s significance in Indian cinema history.

Director Ashutosh Gowariker, who was reunited with several cast members at the Red Lorry Film Festival in Mumbai earlier this year, described the 25th anniversary as “a reminder that great stories never age.” Paul Blackthorne, the British actor who played Captain Andrew Russell — the film’s antagonist — returned to India for the celebrations, receiving a warm reception that reflected the film’s ability to transcend even villain-hero dynamics through the power of performance.

Lagaan’s Oscar Journey: India’s Brush With Hollywood Gold

Lagaan’s nomination for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film at the 74th Oscars in 2002 remains one of the most celebrated moments in Indian cinema history. The film was only the third Indian film to receive an Oscar nomination, following Mother India (1958) and Salaam Bombay! (1988), and its nomination brought unprecedented international attention to Bollywood.

While Lagaan ultimately lost the Oscar to No Man’s Land from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the nomination itself was a watershed moment. It demonstrated that Indian cinema could compete on the global stage, opened doors for subsequent Indian films at international festivals, and created a template for the kind of ambitious, quality-driven filmmaking that could bridge the gap between commercial success and critical acclaim.

The Oscar campaign for Lagaan, which Aamir Khan personally championed with a months-long blitz in Hollywood, also established a precedent for how Indian films could engage with the international awards circuit — a playbook that filmmakers continue to follow to this day.

Why Lagaan Endures

The film’s enduring appeal lies in its universal storytelling. At its core, Lagaan is a story about ordinary people rising against impossible odds — a theme that resonates across cultures and time periods. The cricket match, which forms the film’s climactic set piece, is a masterclass in sports filmmaking, building tension over an extended sequence that remains gripping even after multiple viewings.

The music, composed by A.R. Rahman, is another element that has stood the test of time. Songs like “Mitwa,” “Ghanan Ghanan,” “O Rey Chhori,” and “Chale Chalo” remain popular 25 years later, with their blend of folk, classical, and contemporary influences representing Rahman at his creative peak. The choreography by Saroj Khan brought these songs to life with a vibrancy and authenticity that perfectly complemented the film’s rural setting.

Technically, Lagaan was ahead of its time. The film’s cinematography by Anil Mehta captured the arid landscape of Kutch, Gujarat (where the film was primarily shot) with a grandeur that rivalled any Hollywood production. The editing, production design, and costume work all contributed to creating an immersive period world that felt both authentic and cinematic.

Legacy and Influence

Lagaan’s legacy extends beyond its own box office success and critical acclaim. The film influenced a generation of Indian filmmakers to think bigger — in terms of scale, ambition, and the belief that Indian stories could find global audiences. Films like Rang De Basanti, Dangal, and RRR have all drawn, directly or indirectly, on the template that Lagaan established: Indian stories told with world-class craft and universal emotional appeal.

For Aamir Khan, Lagaan cemented his reputation as Bollywood’s most ambitious and quality-conscious star — a reputation he has sustained through subsequent productions like Rang De Basanti, 3 Idiots, PK, and Dangal. The film’s commercial success, despite its unconventional four-hour runtime and period setting, demonstrated that Indian audiences would reward bold filmmaking choices.

As the curtain falls on the 25th-anniversary celebrations, Lagaan’s place in Indian cinema history is secure. It is more than a film — it is a cultural milestone, a reference point for what Indian cinema can achieve when ambition, talent, and storytelling align perfectly. Twenty-five years on, the village of Champaner and its unlikely cricket heroes continue to inspire, entertain, and remind us of the transformative power of cinema.

Ankit Thakur

Ankit Thakur is an Editor at Daily Tips overseeing sports and entertainment coverage. A lifelong sports enthusiast with years of journalism experience, he covers cricket, kabaddi, football, esports, and gaming. He also manages the publication's entertainment vertical, bringing insider knowledge and passionate storytelling to every piece.

Ankit Thakur

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