Aamir Khan's Lagaan had 10,000 extras in its epic climax: CA Bimal Parekh reveals how they were paid in cash

Lagaan, one of Bollywood’s most iconic films, continues to be remembered for its powerful narrative, unforgettable climax, and the sheer scale of its production. While audiences were captivated by the gripping cricket match and emotional performances, very few are aware of the behind-the-scenes chaos that came with managing thousands of villagers who appeared in the film as extras.

In a recent interview, CA Bimal Parekh, who was present on set during the shoot, opened up about the logistical challenges the team faced, especially when it came to paying the local extras who had never even seen a movie before.

'The day was particularly crazy,' says Parekh

According to The Hollywood Reporter India, Bimal Parekh recalled a chaotic day on the sets when the crew worked with nearly 10,000 extras. These villagers, unfamiliar with how film shoots worked, were initially hesitant to trust the crew—especially when it came to payments.

Parekh shared, “The plan was to pay everyone in cash immediately,” since the extras refused to accept cheques. Having no prior experience dealing with a movie production, many were skeptical and insisted on being paid in hand, not through formal means.

Ink marks, long queues, and a trust issue

The team initially considered marking each paid extra with ink—similar to the voting system used in elections—to prevent people from collecting multiple payments. But this posed another risk: what if someone who wasn’t supposed to be paid got inked by mistake and claimed the money?

The situation was turning into a logistical nightmare, especially with so many people and no prior system in place.

How they solved the chaos

To streamline the process, the crew came up with a clever solution: assigning group leaders. “Each leader was responsible for a group of 200 to 400 people,” Parekh explained. These leaders were paid directly, marked to avoid duplication, and then took charge of distributing the Rs 100 payments to the individuals in their respective groups. Food was also provided to all extras on the day of the shoot.

This system worked efficiently and helped the crew maintain control over an otherwise overwhelming situation.




Lagaan: A film that made history

Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and produced by Aamir Khan, Lagaan tells the inspiring story of a group of villagers who take on British officers in a game of cricket to win relief from oppressive taxes. Set during British colonial rule, the film is remembered not only for its powerful storytelling but also for its themes of resilience, unity, and self-belief.



Led by Bhuvan (played by Aamir Khan), the villagers learn the unfamiliar sport of cricket and put everything on the line. The film was a critical and commercial blockbuster, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and cementing its place in the annals of Indian cinema.


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