Aamir Khan’s co-star revealed how Lagaan changed his life: ‘I ended up…’

British actor Paul Blackthorne, who essayed the role of Captain Andrew Russell in the 2001 film Lagaan, recently recalled how the film changed his life. The Aamir Khan-starrer, which is considered as one of the landmark films of Bollywood is all set to turn 25. A screening was arranged in Mumbai on Friday to celebrate the occasion and the entire cast and crew was present.

Blackthorne revealed that the movie made him a known name and helped him make a career in America. “Lagaan changed the direction of my life because it was nominated for the best foreign language category, as it was then, at the Oscars in 2002. I ended up living in Los Angeles for the next 20 years. So it had a major effect on my life, and I was very fortunate to do a lot of American television and film after that. It was all a result of Lagaan and the way it landed in Hollywood..” he said.

Incidentally, Lagaan was Blackthorne’s first film role. Since then, he has appeared in many American TV shows and films such as ER, The Dresden Files, Arrow etc.


Beyond his mainstream television work, Blackthorne also established a notable presence in independent cinema. He appeared in the feature film Four Corners of Suburbia, which earned critical recognition by winning Best Narrative Feature at the Crossroads Film Festival in 2006 and receiving the Best Composer award at the Avignon Film Festival in France the same year. His contributions to independent filmmaking extended to projects such as This Is Not an Exit, inspired by the life and work of Bret Easton Ellis.

Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, Lagaan was an epic sports drama. Made with an estimated production cost of ₹25 crore (approximately US$5.3 million at the time), Lagaan set a new benchmark in Indian filmmaking. Upon its release, it was recognized as the costliest Indian motion picture ever produced.

Set in the British Raj, the film revolved around the inhabitants of a village in Central India who are distraught by high taxes and severe drought. They are challenged by a British officer to a game of cricket as a wager to avoid paying taxes. The story follows how they master a foreign game and emerge victorious.

The movie earned Rs 65 crore and was the third highest-grossing movie of 2001.