Notably there are few epoch making films which re-evaluated and sparked a revolution in public consciousness. These are the kind of films that leaves you with questions and strike a chord to make a difference.
Nineteen years ago, one such film hit the theatres and emerged as a movement in itself, went on to bag 49 awards. It was the Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra directorial
“Rang De Basanti”which energised the youth with a renewed sense of purpose, was released in 2006. The film was made with young people in mind. Interestingly, prior to its release, it was widely considered a likely failure. As a result, the cast even returned their fees to the producers. But, upon its release, the film scripted history. Today, it is regarded as a cult classic. Even after 19 years, the excitement surrounding “Rang De Basanti” shows no signs of waning. The film featured Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, Siddharth Shukla, Kunal Kapoor, Soha Ali Khan, and R. Madhavan in the lead roles. It was directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, with a story by Prasoon Joshi. Kamlesh Pandey and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra penned the screenplay.
Rang De Basanti tells the story of six young Indians who assist a British filmmaker (played by Alice Patten) in creating a documentary about freedom fighters. During this process, a personal tragedy spurs them to channel their frustration and anger towards the corrupt system.
In a recent interview, Soha Ali Khan revealed that all the principal cast members returned their fees to the producers as there was a shared belief that the film would be a box office disaster. She recalled, “During the film’s promotional phase, the producer suddenly rang up and requested everyone to return their fees. He wasn’t confident about the film at all. Everyone obliged, but when the film eventually released, it sparked a movement. They were all taken aback, as it turned out to be a cinematic landmark film.
According to Soha Ali Khan, the filming took nearly a year and spanned several locations across India, including Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Mumbai. The actors had made extensive travel throughout the shoot. Capturing the perfect shots often took half a day, with cinematographer Binod Pradhan keeping the team waiting for hours to seize just the right moment. These very visuals became emblematic of the film. What kicked-off as a cinematic project transformed into something far more profound, leaving an indelible mark on audiences.
Rang De Basanti was Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s second directorial venture. His first film, Aks released in 2001, featuring Manoj Bajpayee and Amitabh Bachchan, did not fare well at the box office. However, he later went on to direct the hugely successful biopic Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
Oscar awardee AR Rahman had composed the music for the film. The soundtrack featured ten songs, all of which gained immense popularity. Approximately 1.9 million audio cassettes were sold. The film was made on a budget of around Rs 28 crore and went on to earn Rs 97 crore globally, proving to be a commercial success.
In terms of box office collections for 2006, Rang De Basanti ranked fourth, just behind Dhoom 2. The film effectively weaved together two narratives: one centred around six young men working at a car garage, and the other depicting the lives of India’s revolutionaries. The film’s emotionally charged climax left audiences deeply moved, with many brought to tears.
News Edit KV Raman
