‘Perfectionist but never interfering’: Lagaan, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar actor Aditya Lakhia recalls working with Aamir Khan

Congratulating his friend on the big feat, Aditya Lakhia remembered how he met Aamir Khan at Mansoor Khan’s office for the first time. Fresh from the success of QSQT, the actor was keenly involved in the filmmaking process. “He was a new star but was very warm and friendly. After I was finalised, we shot the film in Kodaikanal, Ooty and Mumbai. The entire town set was here in Mumbai and I remember traveling to the set with him and Deven Bhojani. We were assigned an Ambassador car at that time, and we used to chat the whole way through. He was a very chilled-out co-star. Also, we were quite young back then and as we played school kids, I guess we all lived our childhood on that film.”

As for Lagaan, Aditya shared that he knew the director Ashutosh Gowariker, who called him for an audition. Aamir, however, was also closely associated with the filmmaking process. Calling him an extremely involved co-star, he shared how Aamir helped him work out Kachra’s mannerisms and bowling style. The untouchable, polio-stricken character has now become an identity for him, as people still call him Kachra everywhere. In the film, Aamir’s Bhuvan fights for Kachra’s rights and gets him in the cricket team to fight against the British. He takes a hattrick and stands strong with Bhuvan towards the end of the game when the latter finally scores the winning run.

Talking about the Lagaan, Aditya Lakhia shared, “That film was a party where we had so much fun. Not many people know that the match was an actual match for us. We really played the game. Kachra had a very specific style when it came to bowling and even batting. Aamir really helped me with that. He is a giving co-actor, and since I had known him for a long time, I was quite comfortable with him around. But I must also add, that even with so much success, he continues to be a very cool person with no aura of stardom.”

Between both films, Aditya Lakhia also assisted Mansoor Khan in Akele Hum Akele Tum. When asked about his take on Aamir as an AD, the actor laughed to share that he remained the same. He also dismissed that the Bollywood star ‘interferes’ and ‘ghost directs’ his projects. “He is a supremely intelligent man and understands cinema. He always has suggestions to share, and since they are so good, people do follow them. But he has never interfered or hijacked other people’s work. As for being a perfectionist, I think that’s a great quality. He loves films and has a very good idea about how things should be shaped up.”

Aditya shared that their friendship has evolved over the years but has remained just as strong. He also shared that they have remained in touch and credited Aamir for keeping the Lagaan team still tied. He revealed that almost every year, the cast and crew meet to relive their memories and Aamir actively takes an effort to call everyone up. Aditya added that while they both have grown up from the time they shot for Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, he still has the same equation with Aamir Khan.

When asked to share some unknown facets about him, he smiled to say, “He is very intelligent and sharp. Also, he is a very good sportsman. He aces in table tennis and even cricket. I remember during Lagaan, we used to competitively play cricket every Sunday. Aamir is also a very kind man. I remember when we were shooting in Ooty for JJWS, he noticed a starved puppy around. He immediately took him under his wing and would take care of him. We had named him Peanuts and he was a darling on set. After the shoot, Aamir even got him to Mumbai and he lived till his last at his home. That’s the man for you.”