A quarter of a century after Lagaan became one of the most celebrated films in Indian cinema, actor and filmmaker Amin Hajee has been candid about the film’s impact on his career. In the meantime Aamir The Khan-starrer opened doors to many associated with it, which Hajee says accidentally “destroyed” her.Speaking to PTI, Hajee, the director played the memorable mute drummer Bagha Ashutosh GowarikerThe 2001 sports drama epic is said to have set such a high benchmark for the film that nothing that followed could match it.“The truth is, Lagaan destroyed me,” said Hajee, before quoting lines from legendary singer-songwriter Jagjit Singh’s famous ghazal Hazaron Khwahishein Aisi to explain his feelings.Despite receiving acting offers after the film’s success, Hajee said none of the scripts or characters came close to the depth and quality of Lagaan.“Once I finished Lagaan… I didn’t even want to act. I was getting offers, but neither the script nor my character came within a mile of Lagaan. At one point, Ashutosh and my wife Charlotte asked me, ‘So what are you going to do from here?’ So I said, ‘You told me,’ because I didn’t want to do this,” he recalled.
His wife Charlotte pushed him to look for a new direction
Hajee revealed that his wife Charlotte was worried about him sitting at home and giving up projects after Lagaan. It was this concern, along with Gowariker’s faith in him, that finally led him to write.Recalling the filmmaker’s words, Hajee said: “Ashu told me, ‘Charlotte is angry that you are doing nothing and sitting at home. If you want to start a family, you will have to earn something’.”He added that when Gowariker offered to join him as the co-writer of the then-titled Desh — later made into the acclaimed 2004 film Swades — he was overwhelmed by the offer.“I asked him, ‘Ashu, every writer in the world would give their right arm to work with you, and you’re asking?’ He replied, ‘You’re a great rebounder. You are honest, and I told you the scripts. You worked with me in Lagaan, you gave me your reactions. I think you will do a great job.”
Fear of not living up to Bagha’s legacy
Hajee admitted that he was reluctant to accept the project because he did not want to dilute the respect he had earned through Lagaan.“Basically, I didn’t want to spoil the respect I’ve earned. Also, I’m not a great actor. Thanks to Lagaan’s script, director and team, I managed to give a good performance. They all helped me,” he said.The actor also revealed that he was afraid of appearing in other film fields and that people would realize that he is not as talented as he thought.
how Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker helped him reinvent himself
According to Hajee, the project was backed by Aamir Khan Productions at the time, and Aamir Khan immediately accepted Gowariker’s idea of ​​bringing him on board.“Aamir said, “It’s a good idea, Amin is good. And take Charlotte with you because she helps him too.’ So that’s what happened,” Hajee said.This opportunity marked a turning point in his professional life. While gradually moving away from acting, he established himself as a writer and then a filmmaker.
“Lagaan became a university for me”
Reflecting on his journey, Hajee said Lagaan ultimately gave him much more than a memorable acting role.“Because of Lagaan and Ashutosh, I became a writer. Then, by the grace of the universe, I directed my first film, Koi Jaane Na. So Lagaan has really been a great university for me. He didn’t teach me about other things; he taught me about cinema,” he said.Apart from co-writing Swades, Hajee also worked as a writer on Haunted – 3D and Dangerous Ishq, both directed by Vikram Bhatt. Later, he made his directorial debut in 2021 with Koi Jaane Na, and though Lagaan changed the course of his acting career, he eventually opened new doors to storytelling and filmmaking.
