Teen Guna Lagaan! 20 Years After Release, Here's What Cast Of The Oscar-Nominated Film Is Up To
"Ghanan ghanan ghir ghir aaye badra, Ghane ghan ghor kaare chhaye badra?
Dhamak dhamak goonje badra ke danke, Chamak chamak dekho bijuriya chamke?
Man dhadkaye badarwa, man dhadkaye badarwa, Man-man dhadkaye badarwa"
20 years after the release of Lagaan, the Indian film that made history and bagged an Oscar nomination in 2002 renewed interest of audiences abroad in Indian song and dance sequences and gave India recognition on an international stage, like never before.
Our cricket-loving country celebrated the film wholeheartedly. But did you know Aamir wasn't the first choice for the film?
Ashutosh Gowariker had approached Shah Rukh Khan to play Bhuvan, but because no one was ready to finance the film, SRK also passed the film, and then Aamir came on board.?
Not only Shah Rukh, Bobby Deol, Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan were also approached for the role.
Also, did you know the first cut of the film was 7 hours 30 minutes long? Eventually, it was cut short to 224 minutes.
Lagaan holds the record for casting the maximum number of British actors in one film.
They say, anything that's done with hard work always wins the heart.?Ashutosh Gowariker suffered from a slip disc on the sets. He was advised one month rest, but he continued to make the project. He had a bed set up next to his monitor so he could give instructions while he was lying down.
20 years later, here's what the cast of Lagaan is up to!
1. Gracy Singh (Gauri)
The actor who made many hearts flutter especially in the song Radha Kaise Na Jale, became an overnight star. She was seen in a few other films including Munna Bhai MBBS. She was recently seen on?TV show Santoshi Maa Sunaye Vrat Kathayein. In an interview with TOI, she revealed that she is keen on directing a movie.
"As far as films are concerned, I am more keen on direction. I have the experience of directing my dance dramas and I already have some interesting stories in mind," she said.
2.?Paul Blackthorne (Captain Russell)
Paul Blackthorne was the antagonist Captain Russell in the film. Do you know Aamir is still in touch with him? Aamir remembers Russell as a "gentle giant" off-camera, who would read out Winnie The Pooh to everyone. He even had a Whatsapp group until five months ago that had Rachel Shelley (who played Elizabeth) too. But then, Aamir stopped using a cellphone, so he is not a part of it.
Paul Blackthorne, who spent six months learning Hindi for the film, has featured in American series ER and 24. He was also in Arrow, The Flash and The InBetween. ?
3.?Rachel Shelley (Elizabeth)?
Rachel Shelley who helps Bhuvan and his team to win against Captain Russell, gained prominence for her character, Helena Peabody, in The L Word. From Highlander to Miss Match, she has done several TV shows since then. She is often called the most beautiful woman on TV by her fans.
4.?Yashpal Sharma (Lakha)
Yashpal plays the role of a woodcutter who has a crush on Gauri. He even tries to disrupt their game because Gauri likes Bhuvan.?
Sharma has done several great films like Gangaajal, Ab Tak Chhappan, Apaharan, Lakshyam, Singh Is Kinng, Aarakshan and Rowdy Rathore. He was last seen in Sony Liv's Your Honour and A Simple Murder.
5.?Suhasini Mulay (Yashodhama)
Suhasini Mulay who essayed the role of Bhuvan's mother in the movie is a well-known face in Marathi, Assamese and Hindi cinema. She was last seen in Rocky Handsome, Mohenjo Daro, Basmati Blues and Peeda.
Did you know she found love at the age of 59? She used to think that social media is not her cup of tea, but then she met her husband on Facebook. Particle physicist Atul Gurtu's profile came to her friend suggestion list and because she was interested in science and god particle, she messaged him to seek more information. Eventually, they fell in love and got married in 2011. Before that she was in a live-in relationship with Dr Amol Sonawane that ended in 1990.?
6.?Aditya Lakhia (Kachra)
Aditya Lakhia plays the role of a polio-affected untouchable who then gets picked up by Bhuvan as the 11th player in the team. Kachra used his weak hand to ball in a peculiar fashion. He ends up taking hattrick.
Aditya Lakhia has also featured in Shootout at Lokhandwala, Shaurya, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo and Stanley Ka Dabba. He was last seen in 2021 film Koi Jaane Na .
7.?Daya Shankar Pandey (Goli)
Daya Shankar essayed the role of fast bowler Goli in the film. He has been a part of several great films that include Gangaajal, Maqbool, Swades, Kaal, Apaharan, Shootout at Lokhandwala, Delhi-6, Raajneeti and Satyameva Jayate 2 among others.
On TV, he has appeared in shows like Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Family No.1, Savdhaan India, Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev. He was last seen in Zee5 series Rangbaaz and MX Player's Raktanchal.
8.?Kulbhushan Kharbanda (Raja Puran Singh)
Raja Puran Singh plays the role of King who negotiates with Captain Russell to save the drought-stricken village. He is told to eat non-veg food, which he denies.
Kulbhushan Kharbanda was recently loved for his role in Mirzapur. He was also recently seen in A Suitable Boy and The Tattoo Murders. In films, he was seen in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, Soorma, Khandaani Shafakhana and No Fathers in Kashmir.?
9.?Raj Zutshi (Ismail)
The potter Ismail who is a batsman in the team got the role after the audition because of his friendship with Aamir.
He has featured in films like Love Aaj Kal, Stanley Ka Dabba, Ab Tak Chhappan 2 and Brothers. He was last seen in Amazon Prime Video film Koi Jaane Na.?
10.?Akhilendra Mishra (Arjan)
Mishra essays the role of blacksmith, who becomes a batsman in the team. He was insulted by Captain Russell while he accidentally hurt his horse while trying to fix the horseshoe.
He was seen in the role of Chandra Shekhar Azad alongside Ajay Devgan in The Legend of Bhagat Singh. He has also featured in films like Fida, Veer-Zaara, Apaharan, Shootout at Lokhandwala, Aaja Nachle, Delhi-6, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?, Ready, and Kaabil among others. On TV, he has been a part of Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev, Diya Aur Baati Hum and Crime Patrol among other shows.
11.?Raghubir Yadav (Bhura)
The poultry farmer Bhura is a fielder in the team. Since then, he has showcased his acting prowess in films like Aaja Nachle, Dilli 6, Peepli Live, Gandhi To Hitler, Newton, Love per Square Foot, Sui Dhaaga, Romeo Akbar Walter, Ghoomketu, Pagglait and Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar. He was also a part of web series Panchayat. ?
12.?Rajesh Vivek (Guran)
The fortune-teller Guran was spotted by Gowarikar in the 1978 film Junoon. His liking for cricket helped him in his role. Sadly, he is no more among us. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 66 following a heart attack.?
He was loved for his role as postmaster Nivaran in Swades. His other credits include Bunty Aur Babli, Nanhe Jaisalmer, Jodhaa Akbar, What's Your Raashee?, Do Dooni Chaar, Agneepath and Son of Sardar among other. On TV, he has appeared in shows like Bharat Ek Khoj, Aahat and Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev.?
13.?Pradeep Rawat (Deva Singh)
?Deva Singh Sodhi, an all-rounder in the team, is a Sikh ex-sepoy. He has done films like Ghajini, The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Singh Is Bliing and Grand Masti. He is a known face in Tamil and Telugu film industry.?
14.?Shrivallabh Vyas (Ishwar)
Wicket-keeper Ishwar who is a vaidya (doctor) by profession in the village, is also Gauri's father.
Shrivallabh Vyas is known for his roles in movies like The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Aan: Men at Work, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero, Shootout at Lokhandwala, Welcome to Sajjanpur and Yeh Mera India.
15.?Amin Hajee (Bagha)
Mute drummer Bagha essays the role of Amin Hajee.?He is the co-writer of Swades: We, the People and Jodhaa Akbar. He has now produced his first film Koi Jaane Na under the banner of Amin Hajee Film Company.
