Kiran Rao recalls working as an assistant director on Lagaan set: ‘I was a minion, got shouted at. Reema Kagti was a horrible secondary’

Kiran Rao, who kicked off her career as an assistant director, recently recalled the time when she worked as an AD on the sets of Aamir Khan-starrer Lagaan, where she was frequently yelled at by seniors.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | Updated: June 2, 2024 02:13 PM IST

3 min read

Kiran Rao worked as an assistant director on Lagaan. The film starred her ex-husband, Aamir Khan

Laapataa Ladies director Kiran Rao has often spoken openly about the demanding aspects of her experience as an assistant director on the critically acclaimed, Oscar-nominated film Lagaan, where her primary responsibility was coordinating with a large cast, including two cricket teams, all requiring makeup, hair, and wardrobe. This, she described, was a “logistical nightmare,” particularly in the early mornings and ensuring everyone was ready on set. In her interviews, she opened up about the job demanding long hours, with Rao starting as early as 4.30 am to ensure a smooth operation. Recently, in a conversation with Cyrus Broacha on his podcast show, Cyrus Says, Rao recalled, “I had no creative control. I was a minion. A general dogsbody.”

Kiran Rao at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s engagement ceremony. (Photo: Varinder Chawla)

Further speaking about the not-so-flattering things about being an assistant director on a massive film like Lagaan, which starred her ex-husband Aamir Khan and was helmed by Ashutosh Gowariker, Rao added, “I used to get coffee, get shouted at if anything went wrong. I was constantly being yelled at. Reema Kagti was a horrible secondary, she would constantly be on my case. She was doing all the running around. We were just four ADs running around on a giant-a** set. The film was shot on live sound. It was one of the first big films. It was all outdoors. We were so away from everything.”

Aamir Khan-starrer Lagaan released in 2001.

For the unversed, Kagti worked as an assistant director to many leading directors including Farhan Akhtar (Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya), Ashutosh Gowariker (Lagaan), Honey Irani (Armaan), and Mira Nair (Vanity Fair).

Laapataa Ladies was helmed by Kiran Rao

Rao has previously revealed that her tasks also included making toast for actors (like Rachel Shelley who played Elizabeth) before they even reached the set. The repetitive nature of her tasks, especially considering her educational background (Masters in Mass Communication), led her to moments of wondering if she was on the right path. In an interview with The Lallantop, she shared “My job was to somehow get all the actors from makeup, hair, wardrobe to set. And in Lagaan, we had two cricket teams, plus everybody had beards, and the women wore dresses. It was a nightmare. Before reaching the set at 4-4:30 am, I’d be on my walkie telling them to put the toaster on.”

Rachel Shelley in Lagaan.

Furthermore, the Dhobi Ghat director added, “I would be sitting in the makeup room and wondering what I was doing with my Masters in Mass Communication from Jamia. But finally, everybody has to put in their hours in all these places. But you hope that one day you leave the makeup room and find a spot near the monitor. Unfortunately, I didn’t even get to see much of the shoot, I spent most of my time in the makeup room.”

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