Aamir Khan’s Lagaan, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, is one of the best sports dramas to have come out in Indian cinema. Despite clashing with a mass film like Gadar, Lagaan performed very well at the box office and became a cult classic. Gracy Singh played the female lead. But did you know that Rani Mukerji was supposed to play the female lead?

At the 54th International Film Festival of Goa, Rani Mukerji said she feels unfortunate for not being part of the film. Rani Mukerji had a prior commitment which made her miss Lagaan. Aamir Khan, who is one of the producers of Lagaan, firmly stated to Rani Mukerji that he doesn’t want his actors to move to other places.

Interestingly, Rani Mukerji just needed 20 days to complete that other film, but Mr. Perfectionist opined it would be unfair if he only gave Rani Mukerji a special privilege to travel to other places. In the last few decades, Lagaan has been the only Indian film to get nominated for the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film Category.”