Lagaan's Amin Hajee Says Film 'Destroyed' His Career
· Entertainment · Indian Express, Times of India, timesofindia.indiatimes
Actor-writer Amin Hajee, who played Bagha in the 2001 Bollywood film Lagaan, has spoken about the financial and professional struggles that followed the landmark project. In a conversation with journalist Siddharth Kanan, Hajee said post-Lagaan scripts did not measure up to the once-in-a-lifetime experience, leaving him unable to take most offers, which he described as "a mute character or some other insignificant roles." His wife, Charlotte Whitby-Coles, whom he met during the making of Lagaan, recalled being frustrated by his refusals and urging him to take work. Hajee also spoke of the financial pressure of maintaining a big-city lifestyle, saying he sometimes could not afford good shirts or trousers. He credited Charlotte for standing by him and supporting his dream, while acknowledging Aamir Khan as a friend and calling opportunities like writing for Swades a "Taj Mahal" next to Lagaan.
Why it matters
Hajee's account offers a candid look at the pressures Bollywood's smaller-name actors face after breakout roles, and how personal relationships sustain careers through the post-success financial crunch.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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