Two Films, 19 Years Apart, One Quirky Fact: Aamir Khan’s Unlikely Blockbuster Link

Aamir Khan, often dubbed "Mr. Perfectionist" in Bollywood, has a knack for creating memorable cinema. While his acting prowess is widely celebrated, his production house, Aamir Khan Productions (AKP), has quietly been building its own legacy. What many may not realize is a subtle, yet significant, thread connecting two of AKP's productions, released nearly two decades apart: Lagaan (2001) and Laapataa Ladies (2024). This connection lies in the origin of their stories, both emerging from the same scriptwriting contest.

Lagaan, a historical sports drama set in British India, was the first film produced under the AKP banner. The film was a critical and commercial success, even earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. In a recent interview, Aamir Khan revealed that Lagaan's journey began at the Locarno Film Festival, where it won the Best Film Audience Award. This award kickstarted the film's international recognition and paved the way for its eventual Oscar nomination.

Years later, AKP produced Laapataa Ladies, a comedy-drama directed by Kiran Rao, Aamir Khan's ex-wife. This film tells the story of two newly-wed brides who get accidentally exchanged on a train. Laapataa Ladies garnered critical acclaim for its heartwarming narrative and subtle social commentary. The film was also selected as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards but was not nominated.

The link between these two films lies in Biplab Goswami's script. Aamir Khan revealed that he first encountered the story of Laapataa Ladies when he was a jury member at a scriptwriting contest. Goswami's script, which eventually became Laapataa Ladies, didn't win the top prize but deeply resonated with Khan. He was drawn to the script's ability to address important women's issues with humor and heart. Recognizing the potential in Goswami's work, Khan shared it with Kiran Rao, believing she was the perfect director to bring the story to life.

While separated by 19 years and vastly different in their themes and settings, Lagaan and Laapataa Ladies share a common origin: a scriptwriting contest where Aamir Khan discovered compelling stories. This highlights Khan's keen eye for talent and his commitment to producing films that are not only entertaining but also socially relevant. It also underscores the importance of platforms that nurture and recognize emerging talent in the film industry.

Aamir Khan Productions has several projects in the pipeline. These include Sitaare Zameen Par, directed by RS Prasanna and starring Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh, scheduled for release on June 20, 2025. The production house is also working on Lahore 1947 with Sunny Deol, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, and Pritam Pyaare starring Aamir's son, Junaid Khan. These upcoming projects suggest that AKP will continue to champion unique stories and fresh talent in the years to come.