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Aamir Khan has been a favorite of many from the very first film of his QSQT with Juhi Chawla. The most admirable quality about Aamir is his sincere dedication . When he takes up a project he will do everything to fit role to a “T” . He is one hero who will never over commit himself for dates . Aamir, the cute, dedicated hero, talks about his latest home production venture Lagaan.
What is the film Lagaan all about ?
'Lagaan' is a film set in 1893. It deals with the conflict between an inconsequential village located in central India and its adjacent British cantonment on the subject of lagaan-tax-imposed on the villagers.
Is the story line different in any way ?
It is a story of extraordinary cicumstances thrust upon ordinary people, where adversity is faced with fortitude and injustice with dignity. After sometime there is a slow awakening of pride, grit and determination of people who have everything to lose. Faith and courage come face to face with arrogance and ruthlessness with the final triumph of the human spirit,''
Where was the film shot ?
The unit had camped at Bhuj, in Gujarat, for 165 days at a stretch, during which the film was shot to completion .
Were the villagers out there co-operative ?
The cast had quite a few of the local villagers in the village created by them.
Aamir was shocked to learn of the quake at the very place.
Will you help the villagers from the proceeds of the film ?
''We decided not to limit the contribution to the fate of the film. We knew many of the people in those villages, whose lives had been torn apart by the earthquake. Now some Rs 3.5 million have been raised by the unit that will go to each of them individually for them cope with the adversity.
Aamir also informed that after a gap of some 40 years since the Mitchelle Camera went out of fashion and the Arri Flex came into vogue that sync sound had been used for filming a mainstream movie in Bollywood.
But did'nt that create a hindrance for the film ?
Initialy we had some problems adjusting, but thanks to the deft handling of sound by Nakul Kamte, of Bhopal Express fame, it did not become a problem later on. The quality and emotion of sound and the locale cannot be recreated in a sanitised situation of a dubbing theatre. The honesty of the voice has been retained by the sync sound.
What are the strong points of the film ?
The strong point of the film is the script which has been backed by some lilting tunes by A R Rahman and soulful lyric of Javed Akhtar.
Any plans of taking up direction ?
''I am petrified even at the thought of directing as the expectations are much higher. I still feel I am a student, who is not yet ready to meet the challenge.''
Being an actor and the producer is not really easy . How did you manage with the dual role.?
Not really! I had an able team, including my wife Reena, who took care of the production. While I was on the sets in Bhuj, I was only concentrating as an actor. Besides the pre-production of Lagaan was on for over a year, during which I was only the producer. The only way all this affected me, as an actor, was that I got very little time to prepare myself for the role. Normally I take three months to prepare for a role, but this time I had to sacrifice this. I was the least prepared actor in the unit when I reached the location…
How does it feel being a Producer ?
Producing Lagaan has been a highly rewarding experience. I've learnt a hell of a lot about filmmaking, dealing with people and coping with crises. Lagaan was a very demanding film. We had employed 200 extras on a daily wage basis and almost every scene required 50 actors. I've gained a lot of experience. But I think we finally achieved what we set out to.
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