By Fuad Omar(31st Mar 2002)
Lagaan failed to bring home the Oscar last Sunday but the film and its
efforts are by no means a failure to Indian cinema and the nation.
The grand ceremony at Hollywood's new Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles was
preceded by a year long campaign by producer and actor Aamir Khan to get his
film to as many people as possible.
On Sunday afternoon Aamir was in his
West Hollywood hotel and gearing up to leave in the stretch limousine that
awaited every nominee feeling exhausted from a year-long effort and
recovering from a brief trip back home that saw him saying farewell to his
Uncle.
"I'm really nervous and really excited. I think we just might make it. It
would create a history of sorts. But at the same time I'm also sad. My
excitement has been affected by my uncle Nasir Hussain's death. Honestly
speaking, at this point in time, both Reena and I would have preferred to be
home with the family," he said speaking from Los Angeles.
Though Aamir was full of hope and was pleased with how enthusiasm for his
film had slowly, but surely spread, his mind was preoccupied with many
thoughts including which of his outfits he should wear.
"I'm still not sure which one of the traditional outfits, I should wear. It'll either be Shahab Durazi, Tarun Tahiliani or Anand Jon. Jon's just done
something that I had been waiting for."
When asked about the after-parties Aamir was more interested in making an
appearance and heading back to hotel as soon as possible, while director
Ashutosh Gowariker was more keen to interact with as many people as
possible.
"We'll definitely go to the Governor's Ball and Vanity Fair party," said his
wife, Sunita, who wore a beige chikan sari at the event designed by Abu
Sandeep, complementing her husband's white Bhanu Athaiya sherwani. Obviously
excited, Ashutosh was already dining with the cream of Hollywood and Aamir
wherever he went.
"We had dinner with Goldie Hawn and met Brad Pitt, Jodie Foster and others
when we went to watch The Panic Room. That was great, but tonight is the
biggest night of them all."
The night went on and as awards were doled out almost every Asian sat glued
to their screens in anticipation of Lagaan's victory, knowing it's stiffest
competition was with the French film Amelie. The moment of surprise was
announced by John Travolta who smiled as he told the world the award had
gone to the Bosnian film No Man's Land, and immediately Aamir stood up from
behind director Danis Tanovic and applauded with a sincere smile, as fans
cheered more for him than for the Bosnian director.
The Best Actor Award went to Denzel Washington for his performance in
Training Day which was called fully justified since he had lost out to the
prestigious award for The Hurricane and Malcolm X, and Halle Berry stole the
show with her emotional reaction to winning the Best Actress Award for
Monsters Ball, a film in which she falls in love with a white racist. Best
Film and Director went to Ron Howard's A Beautiful Mind and Sidney Poitier
was honoured with a special award for his contribution and achievements in
cinema.
After the glitz and glamour Ashutosh phoned home and Aamir congratulated the
winning feature like a true sportsman, keeping in true character of his
film.
"No Man's Land is based on such a topic which is very sensitive in the
present context. It's about a war between two communities and two countries,
this factor may have weighed on the minds of the judges which also should be
taken into account," he told a news channel.
"All the five films which reached the top were equally good and No man's
Land is an excellent movie. We should applaud it."
When he was asked if he felt the inclusion of songs and length of the film
worked against it, Aamir smiled and revealed, "Many members told us after
the awards ceremony that Lagaan was the best film for them and they liked
the songs."
Back in Bollywood, although the reaction was of disappointment there was an
air of pride in Aamir and his achievements as some co-stars commented.
"I think the fact that Lagaan made it to the Oscars is a great achievement.
It's a great film and that it didn't win doesn't change that fact," said
Shamita Shetty speaking from her home.
Bollywood beauty Manisha Koirala spoke with both pride and joy as she said,
"I'm
disappointed that Lagaan didn't win. I woke up especially early just to
catch the awards. But the very fact that a commercial movie such as Lagaan
is such a huge hit and has made it to the Oscars - among the top five in the
Best Foreign Film category - is a great achievement. Even more so since it
was not meant to be an arty film, but was a commercial hit. We are all very
proud of Aamir and his team."
The final say came from Amitabh Bachchan who was quick to state how for him
"the nomination is as good as victory. It is a film that you instinctively
take to because it is one of the most brilliant films ever made. A perfect
piece of work that is flawless in every respect."
Elaborating on the efforts of the man that brought Bollywood to the
international arena, he went on to say:
"If Lagaan has reached such heights today, it is because of the singular
efforts of one man - Aamir Khan. But its international success is a tragic
reflection on the fragmented status of our film industry. A single
individual had to produce, act, distribute, promote and sell his product all
the way from Mumbai to LA. In fact, he had to almost establish a second home
in LA to sell Lagaan".
"Aamir's film proves we have the potential to make a mark in the
international arena. But the film industry needs a forum or group of
like-minded people to take over a product and sell it as their own. We have
to understand we are one industry.
Aamir had the guts and will-power to do it alone. He has shown us the way,
like Satyajit Ray before him. Ray too had the guts and hindsight to take his
films to international festivals. Not many were willing to sit through Ray's
films, and in the beginning, there were hardly two people in the theatres.
Aamir went through a similar experience in the US. He called the usher at
the theatre, passers-by near his hotel and anyone who was willing, to come
and see Lagaan. To me, he has achieved success."
STARS REACTIONS TO LAGAAN'S NOMINATION BEFORE THE OSCAR AWARDS:
Shah Rukh Khan: It's a great honour for the country and for our cinema and
I'm very happy for Ashutosh and Aamir. It's wonderful, well done guys.
Amitabh Bachchan: It's a great moment for Indian cinema, for India for all
of us. It must be wonderful for Aamir and Ashutosh. What their team has done
for India, makes us very proud. It will be a great moment of anticipation
for us all when Aamir and Ashutosh sit in the nominees area at the Oscars,as
the cameras pan their faces. It'll be wonderful.
Salim Khan: I'm so happy for Aamir, Ashutosh and the entire Lagaan team. My
son Sohail gave me the news about the nominations, he was also excited about
it. This is a well deserved nomination. Aamir and Ashutosh's hard work has
paid off. It was quite a bold step to do this film. Even I would have been
sceptical if the script had been offered to me because there is no precedent
film to check whether this would work.
Jackie Shroff: I'm really excited and happy about Lagaan being shortlisted.
All the best to our young friend for putting us on the world map.
Raveena Tandon: It's absolutely great, I don't know what to say, I have no
words to express my feelings!
Subhash Ghai: Lagaan is not a triumph for Aamir and Ashutosh, but for Indian
cinema. We are proud of the whole team who took part in this risk. Yes, it
was a risk but emerged triumphant. When I saw the first trail of the film, I
sent Ashutosh and Aamir a message that after a long time I had seen a
perfect film. The nomination is well deserved. I hope it wins and bring
greater glory.
Mahesh Bhatt: It's good news but my dear boy, I hope you realise that the
Academy Awards, like most awards, are also political and can be negotiated,
although many deserving people have won it. The whole concept of awards is
silly to me because if they decide who deserves it, they also have the right
to decide who does not deserve it.
Frankly speaking, who cares about a 13 and a half inch statue which weighs
three-and-a-half kilos and costs $100? I think the opinion of a tongawallah
is more important than that of an ageing Academy member. I wasn't surprised
when I heard Lagaan got nominated.
The global focus seems to be on Southeast
Asia, especially India, and America is not naïve to ignore it. I know Aamir
lobbied for Lagaan but that is the way it is done there. If you are in the
race, you might as well race the opponent out. After the September 11
attacks in the US, Asia has been under the keen eye of the Americans. You
might recall that Aamir had recently visited Afghanistan and given them a
print of Lagaan. Wonder what they think of that?
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