7 months ago
Rang De Basanti at 20: Legacy and Impact
Rang De Basanti is a movie that came out 20 years ago and is still very important today.
The director, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, and the lyricist-screenwriter, Prasoon Joshi, talk about how the movie was made and why it's still relevant.
They say the movie is about young people who stand up for what they believe in.
Making the movie was hard because they didn't have enough money and had problems with the people who check movies before they are released.
The director also talks about how the movie's ending was changed at the last minute to make it even more powerful.
The movie's songs, like 'Roobaroo' and 'Luka Chuppi,' were very emotional and stayed with people.
The movie inspired real-life protests and had a big impact on India's youth.
The team didn't expect the movie to become so popular, but they are happy it resonated with so many people.
Rang De Basanti, released on 26 January 2006, remains relevant and impactful 20 years later.
Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and lyricist-screenwriter Prasoon Joshi discuss the film's creative decisions, production challenges, and enduring legacy.
The film's cinematography, including the use of Dutch angles and varying lens lengths, was carefully planned to mirror the emotional journey of the characters.
Production faced financial struggles and censor board issues, with the release date pushed back due to a censor board row.
The film's ending was finalized just days before release, with additional footage shot across multiple cities to complete the narrative.
- Who
- Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Prasoon Joshi, Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Siddharth, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kapoor, Soha Ali Khan
- What
- Reflections on the film's legacy and impact 20 years after its release
- Where
- India, with scenes shot across multiple cities for the final sequence
- When
- The film was released on 26 January 2006
- Why
- To discuss the film's enduring impact and the challenges faced during its production
Key facts
- Film Release Date
- 26 January 2006
- Director
- Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
- Key Cast
- Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Siddharth, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kapoor, Soha Ali Khan
- Lyricist-Screenwriter
- Prasoon Joshi
- Cinematographer
- Binod Pradhan
- Initial Production Challenges
- Financial struggles, censor board issues
- Final Scene Addition
- Shot across 7-8 cities in 2.5 days
- Director's Vision
- Singularity in the vision, no interference
- Former PM's Compliment
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee praised the song 'Roobaroo'
Timeline
Raanjhanaa's 20th anniversary ignites classic film anniversary trend.
Then, Rang De Basanti's 20th anniversary sparks fresh appreciation.
Despite hurdles, Rang De Basanti endures as youth empowerment anthem.
Quotes
Waheeda Rehman
Veteran actor and co-star of Rang De Basanti
“When I am severely injured during the scene where police use batons to clear the crowd, Aamir had to pick me up to take me to the hospital in a taxi or something. Tab maine unhe kaha, ‘Aamir, yeh mat sochna ki mai halki hu, I am heavy, mujhe patak mat dena’ (I am heavy, don’t fling me inside casually). He said, ‘Kya baat karahi hain Waheeda ji, I am very strong’. I was just warning him to be careful. It was nice working with him.”
indianexpress.com
“I don’t believe that 20 years have passed. I am very happy that I am a part of this wonderful movie. I might have a small role in some films but they are effective. Many people started the candle marches after this film. There are a handful of movies that you can talk about so many years later. Mujhe isse ehsaas hota hai ab ki meri badi umar hogayi hai (it makes me realise I am old now).”
indianexpress.com
Atul Kulkarni
Actor who played Laxman Pandey in Rang De Basanti
“I remember we had done a 20-25 day rehearsal in the studio before starting the shoot. On the first day of shoot, all the cast was there and we had read the entire script, it was recorded, and it was sent to AR Rahman to work on the background score of the songs. He had all the characters reading their own parts like a play. The process was so intense. It had a practical impact on the people, on the ground. When you see people marching with candles in their hands at India Gate, you get to see the impact.”
indianexpress.com
“Unfortunately yes. Art in any country at any time needs to be independent of the viewers. If filmmakers have a compulsion of thinking who is going to watch or object, what the censor board is going to say, I don’t think real art can be produced. The kind of things we hear everyday in terms of art, it would be difficult to make such a film today.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Rang De Basanti turns 20: Poet Prasoon Joshi once wrote anti-establishment anthems; is now the establishment himself
‘Aamir Khan came prepared to cry’: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra on Rang De Basanti at 20, says it’s ‘stupid’ to ask if it can be made in today’s times
Waheeda Rehman ‘warned’ Aamir Khan about her weight during Rang De Basanti: ‘Mujhe patak mat dena’
Cinema still most powerful medium, film became voice of youth: Joshi on 20 years of ‘RDB’
