Yashpal Sharma recalls how Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan rejected 'Lagaan' script and Javed Akhtar said nobody will accept a dhoti-clad hero

Aamir Khan's iconic film Lagaan (2001) is one of the most celebrated movies in Indian cinema history. But did you know that the making of the film was not an easy task for director Ashutosh Gowariker?

Yes, you read it right! In an interview with Friday Talkies, Yashpal Sharma, who played the role of Lakha, revealed that initially, no one believed in 'Lagaan' and many predicted it would fail at the box office. He shared that even Javed Akhtar, the film's lyricist, doubted its success, saying that a village story with a hero in a dhoti and pagdi wouldn’t resonate with audiences.

Yashpal also recalled the struggles faced by director Ashutosh Gowariker in bringing the film to life. According to him, Ashutosh had the script for a long time and had even approached Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan for the lead role, but both actors were not convinced by the script and declined the project.

Yashpal added that despite the initial scepticism, Lagaan proved to be a major success, taking the team around the world and even earning an Oscar nomination, which provided significant exposure. He also revealed that the film's success led them to stay in the USA for about a month, coinciding with the 9/11 attacks. He credited Ashutosh Gowariker for believing in the film and making it possible. Earlier, in an interview with Rajshri Unplugged, Yashpal had opened up about his character and how he found his character better than Aamir’s lead role. Yashal shared that he got Lakha’s role in Lagaan, and he was salivating at the thought of it because he found Lakha’s role was the best in the film.

Ashutosh Gowariker's directorial 'Lagaan' was set in the pre-Independence era, and revolved around the members of a small village who were not only burdened by the years of drought but also high taxes.

It also starred Gracy Singh, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rajendra Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Rajesh Vivek, Pradeep Rawat and British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne in pivotal roles.