There are very few films whose landmark anniversaries are celebrated not just by its makers but also the audience. Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India (2001) is one such movie. Starring Aamir Khan in the lead, who also produced it, the movie is one of the most loved in the history of Indian cinema, even as it’s all set to complete 25 years on June 15. It also made to the top 5 in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars.

25 years of Lagaan EXCLUSIVE: “Sourav Ganguly felt my bowling action was computer generated,” shares Daya Shankar Pandey aka Goli; reveals the film’s actors have still saved each other’s numbers with their character names

On Lagaan’s landmark anniversary, Daya Shankar Pandey, who played Goli in the film, got nostalgic thinking about its making and other aspects related to it in an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama.

How does it feel to realize that Lagaan has completed 25 years?

These 25 years are full of memories. In these 25 years, there hasn’t been a single year when people haven’t discussed Lagaan. And this will continue till we are there. We all stayed together for six months, especially the 11 team members. Unfortunately, two people – (Shri Vallabh) Vyas ji and Rajesh Vivek ji – are not with us. Even today when we talk to each other, it seems like we have had a long association. We have saved each other’s numbers in our phones with our character names. We also address each other with our character names.

Today, if we go out of city to shoot for a week, we become restless. But to shoot Lagaan, I left Mumbai on January 2, 2000 and returned on June 19, 2000. I still remember the dates. Today, I feel why those moments ended and why did the film get completed? I still remember those moments and so do other actors. My son was born during Lagaan. Today, he is 25 years old. When I see him, I remember Lagaan. I have played just one match for my country and we won that one!

How did your casting happen for the character of Goli?

Ashutosh and Aamir Khan knew me back then. I had worked with them before. But my casting was getting delayed. I was frustrated and depressed because of that. I didn’t have much work. I came to know that this film is rural based. I told Aamir Khan on phone with some anger and frustration, ‘If I am not cast in a village-based film, will I be cast in Karan Johar or Yash Chopra’s films based in Switzerland? You just keep saying that I am a good actor.’

Aamir had recommended me 2-3 times before Lagaan in Ghulam. I was also confirmed for the role of Pakya in Rangeela. He is Godfather for others but for me, he is Godbrother. Ashutosh also wanted me in Lagaan but they were wondering where to fit me. Then they decided that I should be cast as Goli.

Cricket is an important part of the film. Did you and other actors who played village cricketers took training in cricket?

No. Actually, we should have been trained on how not to play cricket (laughs). I do play cricket. I am an average player of tennis ball cricket, not season ball. Most of our team members were good players. But cricket wasn’t much important for us.

Your character Goli had an unusual bowling action. He keeps rolling his arms a number of times before releasing the ball. Who decided this bowling action for your character?

This was already mentioned in the script. Every detail was present in the script. It was written that he keeps swinging his arms (before releasing the ball). My bowling sequences were to be shot in April and May. Ashutosh advised me to keep practicing because it’s not as easy as it looks. I used to roll my arm daily. I used to show different styles to Ashutosh. When I showed the action that is seen in the film one morning, he asked me to lock it and keep practicing.

Months after Lagaan released, there was a real Lagaan match played at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. How was that experience?

I remember (Virender) Sehwag and (Sourav) Ganguly were umpires. Just like others, we also get excited to see our cricketers. They are heroes. I was bowling when Ganguly was the umpire. He asked me whether I actually rolled my arm so many times in the movie while bowling. I said yes. If you see, it isn’t easy. He said he felt we might have used computer graphics (to show the bowling action). Aamir Khan was also standing there. Ganguly asked me to show him the bowling action again. I did. He was amazed!

Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly and the whole team had come to see our film (during the release). They used to watch our film the same way we used to watch their matches.

Any closing thoughts on Lagaan?

When we were doing Lagaan, I didn’t know you would interview me after 25 years for this film. The credit should go to Ashutosh Gowariker and Aamir Khan sahab. In the film, Aamir Khan’s character tells me, ‘Goli, sach aur saahas hai jiske mann mein, ant mein jeet usi ki rahe’. So, this was Ashutosh’s sach and Aamir Khan’s saahas that they dared to make such a film and invested so much money. If you see the poster of Lagaan, it had all males standing while wearing dirty clothes. A lot of people wondered what film this is without any actress. Indirectly, people were curious as this was the first poster without any heroine.

You have been a regular feature in the TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma as Inspector Chalu Pandey

Asit Kumar Modi and I were together in college. He has also directed me in college plays. I was also the Creative Consultant of this show. At the same time, I used to play Shani Dev in Mahima Shani Dev Ki. Once when the writer came up with the character of Inspector Chalu Pandey, Asit suggested that I should do it. He said I will get a break from wearing mukut and all. I just did it. I didn’t know it will click with the audience. It has now been 12 years. This has been a surprise.

More Pages: Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India Box Office Collection , Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India Movie Review

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