Watching ‘Rang De Basanti’, especially today, is a whole mood altogether. Isn’t it?
As India is celebrating its 72nd Republic Day, let’s have an interesting throwback to this cult-classic.
Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, ‘Rang De Basanti’ is the story of six young Indians who assist an English Woman to film a documentary on the freedom fighters from their past and the events that lead them to relive the long-forgotten saga of freedom.
Starring Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Soha Ali Khan, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kapoor, R. Madhavan, Atul Kulkarni, and Alice Patten in lead roles, this movie was released globally on the occasion of Republic Day, Jan 26, 2006.
HERE’s a list of 7 interesting facts about Rang De Basanti:
1. Casting Case
Did you know that Aamir Khan wasn’t the first choice for the film? Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal, Hrithik Roshan were among the few who were approached to play the role.
SRK was even approached for Ajay Rathod, but things didn’t work out. Eventually, R. Madhavan played the role.
Aamir was in his early 40’s at that time and hesitated to play a 25-year-old-college pass-out. However, the actor took the role. He appointed a guide who helped him to work on his style and dialect.
2. Title Tales
From ‘Ahuti’ to ‘The Young Guns Of India’ to ‘Rang De Basanti’, it wasn’t at all easy to title this movie.
The first draft of the film came up in 1997-1998 with the name ‘The Young Guns of India’ with the main idea to narrate the story of Chandrashekhar Azad, Ramparasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajguru and Sukhdev, and other ‘kraantikaris’.
3. Scene Scenario
Do you guys remember the scene where all the boys own up to Defence Minister’s assassination?
It was actually Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan who had suggested that scene.
4. Life To Leads
Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra gave life to the lead roles by drawing the characters from his close friends and a part of it (happy-go-lucky and escapist) from himself.
5. Music Magic
Who can ever forget Rahman’s touching music for ‘Rang De Basanti’?
Reportedly, it took almost 3 years for A. R. Rahman to complete the music for this movie.
6. Plot Problem
The censor board then chief, Sharmila Tagore, refused to clear the film as the plot of the film revolved around killing the Defence Minister of India.
Later, a special screening of the film was organized for then Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherji, who had no issues with the film, after his approval it was soon cleared by the censor board.
7. Idea That Changed Lives
The director, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, got his idea for ‘Rang De Basanti’, while shooting his documentary in Gujarat.
Mehra took seven years to research and develop the story, including three to write the script.