'I am a born agriculturist'

Oscar-nominated film, Lagaan, may be six years old, but surprisingly, its DVD and VCD is being launched only now. Aamir Khan, along with his cricket team and Gracy Singh, launched the DVD last weekend.

Aamir gave Narendran Singh the details, and also talked about the controversy of him being a farmer.

Why this delay of six years in bringing out the DVD and VCD of the film?

I wanted the DVDs and VCDs of Lagaan to be out soon after the film's release. But I had signed a contract and one of the clauses prevented me from releasing home videos of Lagaan for five years after its release. When the contract got over, I tried to bring out the home video as soon as possible.

So one mistake on your part and the masses had to wait for six long years.

(Laughs) Yes, the common people and I, too, had to wait for this. It was a desire from my heart that the masses -- after having liked the film so much -- should be given an opportunity to own a personal copy of the film so that they are able to view it as per their discretion. I am more of a creative person and I admit that I have committed an error.

During the launch of the DVD, most of the members from Lagaan team were present but the British team was not represented. Did you send them an invitation?

No, I had not.

Don't you think the fun would have doubled with their presence?

Definitely, but it was difficult to make them come to India. They all are busy with their own work. But we always remember them.

Are you still in touch with Rachel and Paul Blackthorne?

Yes. I do get to interact with them once in two or three months.

Lagaan was shot in Bhuj and during the shooting of the film, you had become attached to the locals. You also showed your film to the people of Bhuj even before Lagaan released. Did you ever think of launching the home videos of Lagaan at Bhuj?

No, the thought never occurred to me. I had promised them that after the shooting was over they would be the first to see the film and I fulfilled my promise by showing them the edited version five days before the theatrical release. People from Kutch, Kota village and whole film unit were present for the screening at Bhuj.

Lagaan spawned so many things -- it inspired a book, became a part of the IIM course. Have you ever thought of making the whole team into miniature dolls?

Yes, we had thought about it but ultimately it never materialised. Actually, we wanted them to be cast into metal, I wanted some weight to be attached to them, but later, the idea was dropped.

Can you share some Lagaan anecdotes with us?

When (director) Ashutosh Gowariker first narrated the script of the film -- which lasted for two minutes -- my reaction was that it's a bad story and should never be made into a film. I advised him that he already had given two flops and this time, he should be more cautious in making a film. I outrightly rejected it. Then Ashutosh disappeared for six months and after six months, he came back to me and told me that he had a script for me. I was shocked to see that it was the same script. I told him that you have wasted six months and again expressed my displeasure about the plot of the film. But I decided that when he had worked so hard, I should listen to his script once, which by that time was a full-fledged one.

After he narrated the script, I was blown away. But I told him that I would not be able to do it. Finally, after making him wait for one and half years, I decided to produce and act in it.

You are busy shooting busy for Ghajini these days. Tell us more.

The shooting of the film is on.

The film's title has not yet been decided -- we might stick to Ghajini or some other name. The premise of the film is memory loss. There are two time frames in the film. One talks about the present, and the other happens two years earlier.

The film requires me to shave off my head.

A similar film, Memento, was made in English. Why are you doing a film, which has already been seen by many people?

Ghajini has been written and directed by A R Murugadoss and when he had finished writing the script, he had heard about Memento but had not seen it. When you see both the films, you will be find that they are as different as chalk and cheese. The only similar concept in both the films is memory loss.

What's the status of Taare Zameen Par? When do you plan to release it?

We are planning to release the film in December this year. The shooting part is over; the editing is on right now.

There was some controversy attached to Taare Zameen Par.

Yes, when the film's shooting began, I was attached to the film in the capacity of producer and actor. Amol Gupte was directing the film at that time and had also written the script of the film. He had penned an excellent story. But when I saw the rushes of the film, I did not like them. I discussed the matter with Amol, and told him that I had lost my faith in him as a director. I suggested that since the story was his, he should go ahead with the film but I would dissociate myself from the film.

Later, we discussed names of directors who could take it up. But at the same time, we realised that whoever comes on board as producer would take time to get him or herself adjusted to the situation. Since the protagonist of the film is a kid, we did not want to waste time as kids grow very fast. Finally, Amol asked me to direct the film. I accepted but requested Amol to be with me through its making. He guided me when I made mistakes. He has contributed a lot to the film.

Tell us about the farming controversy.

It is not a controversy for me. My father is a farmer; his father was a farmer too, and so was his father. This the fourth generation of farmers in my family. We have mango orchards in Uttar Pradesh. I am a born agriculturist and it's not my fault that I am one. I can't do anything about it.