By Grace Cyril,News18

Copyright news18

Two decades after its release, Lagaan remains one of Indian cinema’s most beloved films. The 2001 sports drama, set in colonial India, follows Bhuvan, played by Aamir Khan, as he leads his village in a high-stakes cricket match against British officers. The film’s inspiring story and Aamir’s iconic performance continue to be celebrated as a milestone in Bollywood history.
Recently, Aamir Khan praised actor Vicky Kaushal, saying that he has the qualities to portray Bhuvan if the story were ever reimagined. The remarks came during Aamir’s appearance on Komal Nahta’s podcast Game Changers: The Producer Series.
Vicky Kaushal reacts
Vicky Kaushal shared a clip of Aamir’s comments on his Instagram stories and reacted to it. “There can be no other ‘Bhuvan’ than Aamir Sir…but such an honour to get such kind words from the master himself,” he wrote.
Take a look:

What was Aamir Khan’s statement?
During a rapid-fire round with Komal Nahta, Aamir Khan took a nostalgic trip down memory lane to talk about one of his most iconic films – Lagaan. Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and produced by Aamir Khan Productions, the 2001 period drama was a huge hit in India and also earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, bringing global recognition to Indian cinema.
When asked who he would choose to play Bhuvan if the film were remade today, Aamir didn’t hesitate. “Vicky Kaushal, I think he has that quality of Bhuvan – dignity, strength, inner strength, steadiness, and integrity. He reflects all of that very naturally. He is a great actor,” said Aamir.
About Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
Lagaan is a 2001 epic period sports drama written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. Produced by and starring Aamir Khan, the film also featured debutant Gracy Singh and British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne. Set in 1893 during British colonial rule, the story followed villagers in Central India who, struggling with high taxes and years of drought, are challenged by a British officer to a game of cricket. Winning the match would allow them to avoid paying the taxes, but the villagers must first learn the unfamiliar sport.
Made on a budget of Rs 25 crore (around US$5.3 million), Lagaan was the most expensive Indian film at the time. Production faced several hurdles: Aamir Khan was initially unsure about starring in a sports film, and potential producers suggested cutting the budget and changing the script. Ultimately, the film became the first project of Aamir Khan Productions, marking Khan’s debut as a producer. Gowariker drew inspiration from the 1957 sports drama Naya Daur.
The film’s dialogue was based on Awadhi, simplified with standard Hindi for contemporary audiences. Principal photography took place in villages near Bhuj. Nitin Chandrakant Desai handled art direction, while Bhanu Athaiya designed the costumes. The music was composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar.