Lagaan received rejections in the film festival: Screening took place on a lot of requests; People went crazy after watching the movie, whistles were blown

The path to Oscar for Aamir Khan's superhit film Lagaan was not easy. It was not allowed to be shown in many film festivals. Director Ashutosh Gowarikar was worried. There was a doubt in his mind that if the film was not shown then how would it progress. Only when the film is discussed will its chances of winning awards increase.

However, disappointment was coming from everywhere. Somewhere permission was given to show it at the Locarno Film Festival. However, when people saw the film they went crazy. Whistles started blowing for Aamir Khan. The football friendly audience enjoyed this film based on cricket very much.

Screening of movies is necessary in film festivals
Ashutosh Gowarikar said at Ajanta Ellora Film Festival, 'It is very important to show films in such festivals. This gives exposure to films. People discuss about the film. You listen to the story of my film Lagaan.

It was getting disappointment in every film festival of the world. Organizers used to say that the film is too long. There are many songs in it, why should a film based on cricket be shown?

The film was screened on Ashutosh's request, people went crazy when they saw it
Tired and exhausted, Ashutosh Gowarikar reached Locarno city of Switzerland. The film festival had started there. The same things were heard from the organizer there also. Ashutosh requested to watch two-three scenes of the film and then take a decision.

Somehow the organizers agreed. The film was screened in front of thousands of people. Ashutosh said, 'You won't believe that people were going crazy while watching the film. Were cheering a lot. Whistles were being blown after seeing Aamir's character Bhuvan. There were mostly football friendly people there, but they were enjoying this film based on cricket theme very much. The organizers who were earlier reluctant to take the film, came and hugged me.

Oscar campaign got strengthened
Ashutosh said that the attention the film received at the Locarno Film Festival strengthened his Oscar campaign. The film got a lot of recognition globally. Earlier, the Academy did not know who these two boys from India (Ashutosh Gowarikar and Aamir Khan) were.

Let us tell you that Lagaan was nominated for the Oscar Award in the Best Foreign Language Film category in 2002, but could not win the award. The film was very long, which became the main reason for its failure.