New Delhi. Aamir Khan’s ‘Lagaan’ is one of the classic films. It has proved to be a milestone for Indian cinema not only, but because of a strong story. After ‘Mother India’ and ‘Salaam Bombay’, the third Indian film to get nomination in the Best International Feature Film category in Oscar is Lagaan. The film proved to be a boon for those actors who had been waiting for a long break. Recently, Daya Shankar Pandey told how he got the role of Goli in the film.
In an interview to YouTube channel Friday Talkies, Daya Shankar Pandey said that he had got work in Lagaan only four days before the shooting started. He revealed that he had called Aamir Khan and removed his anger fiercely, because Aamir Khan did not give any role to the actor in the film. At that time Daya Shankar’s wife was pregnant and she was in dire need of work, so that the expenses of the house could be run.
Had taken his anger on Aamir Khan
Daya Shankar Pandey said, ‘I already knew Aamir ji and by then I had done two films with Ashutosh Gowariker ji, which I also consider to be my friend. I was initially not associated with this project rent, but I knew that the film is based on a village in North India. For this reason, there was a kind of anger from inside me. Angry I called producer Aamir Khan Saab and said that this film is based on the villagers and if I was not cast in such a film, then who will do it? Will Yash Chopra ji and Karan Johar ji, who make films at location like Switzerland, will take me in their films? You say that I am a very good actor, so why are you not cast me? Hearing all this, Aamir ji started laughing loudly and he kept my point in his mind.
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Aamir Khan gave an important role in Lagaan
He said, ‘At that time I had no work and I used to live under stress. One day I dinner at night, then the landline phone rang. I still remember that date and time on December 26, 1999. I picked up the phone, on the other side there was Aamir Khan. He asked me what are you doing nowadays? I said that I am doing one or two films and some TV shows. Then he asked if you will take care of? I immediately said yes. He said that come to his office tomorrow morning and meet Reena ji (then Aamir’s wife Reena Dutta). He also told that there is a good role for me and the shooting schedule will be at least 4-5 months long. Whatever he said, I just kept doing yes.
Reena Dutta said this with mercy
Daya Shankar Pandey recalled the meeting with Reena Dutta and said that he had made a special request. He told Reena, ‘My wife is pregnant and the whole house runs with my earnings. So it may be that I need some money help in between. Reena ji immediately said that give my phone number to your wife and say that if anything is needed, call me without hesitation.
A large amount was received as soon as he signed
The actor further said, ‘The signing amount given to me was such a huge amount that it could easily spend a month’s expenditure. Then Reena ji told me that I will not have any makeup man or assistant (boy). Hearing this, I laughed a little, because till date I have not found an assistant. The interesting thing is that I was the only actor for rent, who did not do any workshop. Later I came to know that a return ticket was ready for me. If my first scene could not be made in the way he thought, I would be sent back quietly. But fortunately everything happened well.
