Did you know Lagaan was initially 7 hours and 30 minutes long?
Aamir Khan's iconic blockbuster hit, Lagaan, was initially 7 hours and 30 minutes long. Yes, you read it right! Dig inside to know more about it in detail!
New Delhi: One of India's most celebrated films, Lagaan, directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar was a blockbuster hit. Initially offered to Shah Rukh Khan who rejected the film, the movie was led by Bollywood's perfectionist Aamir Khan. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time In India (2001), is an epic sports drama that is known for its compelling storyline and stellar performances.
Aamir Khan starrer Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India had the biggest number of British actors ever to be cast in a single movie in the history of Indian cinema. The movie was shot in villages of Kutchh, Gujarat. However, Bhuj was destroyed in an earthquake in January 2001, six months after the movie was shot. Interestingly, in the last days of the shoot, a real match was played between the Indian actors and British actors which was won by the Britishers.
But, do you know the initial cut of the film was 7 hours and 30 minutes long before it was edited to its final 3 hours and 44 minutes? But, what made the film so long and what was left on the editing room floor? Let's explore!
Why was the original cut so long?
Director Ashutosh Gowarikar wanted to create an immersive world, an intricate blend of historical drama, sports, romance and music, which made the script complex and layered. Gowarikar wanted to ensure that each character, subplot, and emotional arc was well-developed, which resulted in a massive script, leading to an initial cut that was over seven hours.
Lagaan: Once Upon Time In India (2001) featured a massive cast, with each having their own backstory. Hence, more time was dedicated to exploring the personal lives and struggles of each villager, making the stakes of the cricket match even more higher. Additionally, the final cut of Lagaan featured an intense, nearly one-hour-long cricket match but the original cut featured an even longer duration of gameplay, with extended montages, additional match strategies and character moments.
The movie also featured extended musical sequences. AR Rahman's Oscar-nominated soundtrack played a crucial role in the film. However, some songs had extended dance sequences which were eventually cut to streamline the film. There were also more scenes with British oppressors, which were obviously deleted from the final cut, including additional sequences detailing British rule and oppression.
The love triangle between Bhuvan, Gauri and Elizabeth Russel was also explored in greater detail, in the original cut. However, the seven-hour and 30-minute-long movie was absolutely impractical for theatres so editor Ballu Saluja worked tirelessly to bring the film's length to 3 hours and 44 minutes.
Meanwhile, Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India (2001) starring Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh became India's official entry for the Academy Awards in 2002 and it reached the final five nominations for Best Foreign Language Film, which was a rare honour for an Indian movie.
In today's digital age, a longer Lagaan might have been possible as a two-part film or even a web series. However, in 2001, Indian audiences were accustomed to films averaging 2.5 to 3 hours in length.
Would you have watched a 7-hour version of Lagaan if it were released today? Let us know your thoughts!