Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India - Trivia, Questions and Fun Facts

[jessica]

For the preparation of his role as the untouchable Kachra, Aditya Lakhia read P. Sainath's Everybody Loves a Good Drought, for the authenticity of the character.

[camila]

The name "Champaner" itself was not entirely a product of Gowarikar's imagination. It was inspired by "Champaran", the village in Bihar where Mahatma Gandhi began his agitation in 1917 to protect the rights of peasants in indigo plantations.

[frances]

Before shooting commenced, actors actually stayed in Champaner's houses for a day to familiarise themselves with their new if temporary abodes. Says Aditya Lakhia who played Kachra: "I hardly speak in the film but my presence is such that I had to live like a Harijan through temperatures varying from four to 40 degrees Celsius."

[bernard]

The first cut of the film was 7 hours and 30 minutes long.

[mathew]

Scottish actor Gerard Butler had also auditioned for the role of Captain Andrew Russel.

[ruby]

The film was also included in CNN-IBN's list of the "100 greatest Indian films of all time" in 2013.

[linda]

Director Ashutosh Gowariker didn't want to make a blockbuster commercial hit. He just wanted to tell a story he really believed in.

[veronica]

Aamir Khan wore his wife's earrings for the role of Bhuvan.