20 Years of Lagaan: Yashpal Sharma recalls being the 'first match fixer' of India

Ashutosh Gowarikar's directorial debut 'Lagaan', which was set in 1893 when India was under the British Raj, was released on June 15, twenty years ago. It was also Aamir Khan's first film as a producer. The film was based in Central India which revolved around a small village, where the villagers were burdened by the tax regime of the British and were reeling under several years of drought.  The villagers were challenged by a British army officer to a game of cricket, as a wager to avoid paying the taxes they owe to the British government. The narrative spins around this situation as the villagers face the task of learning a game that is alien to them. 

Yashpal Sharma, who portrayed the role of 'Lakha' in Lagaan  recalls the memories of the time of their shoot in Bhuj for six months in scorching heat which included late night card games after dinner, the early morning bus rides to the location and even the frequent power cuts at the hotel where they stayed. 

In an interview with a leading web portal, Yashpal said that he was called the first match fixer of India. “The reception was wonderful. People said the kind of dimension Lakha had, no other character had that kind of depth, apart from the lead actor. I was called the first match fixer in India, and I remember that," he said. His character had betrayed his own team in the cricket match against the British but straightens his path towards the end. 

He further added, “I consider myself lucky to have got this role. It has both shades. It feels nice when your work is appreciated. For me, Lagaan is right there with the classics like Mother India and Do Bigha Zamin. It was a pathbreaking film. It stood tall above the notions in Bollywood, like an actor’s image cannot change. Or a character cannot wear a dhoti on screen or if a couple of films on cricket have flopped before, it should not be taken up again. No one will watch a film based on villagers and the poor, they used to say." 

He also spoke about breaking stereotypes at the time and introducing a film which wasn't revolving around the hero. "The success of Lagaan was against all these odds. It wasn’t just the hero’s film. All the characters were highlighted. It has set an example in breaking stereotypes. I always say, if you want to learn how cinema is made, watch Lagaan. The kind of passion, team work, management and discipline that went into making it had never been done before," he said. 

The star cast of the film was huge and it also went on to receive a nomination in the best foreign language film category at the Academy Awards 2002.