This blockbuster was rejected by Shah Rukh, Hrithik, Preity; helped in bringing justice to Jessica Lal, film earned...

In 2006, director Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra brought Rang De Basanti. an epic coming-of-age socio-political drama film with parallel narratives set in the pre-Independence era, and the present time.

The movie narrates the fight of freedom fighters and how the young generation stood up against injustice. The film had an ensemble cast, including Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, R Madhavan, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni, and Siddharth. The film was released in cinemas on January 26, 2006, and today it has completed 19 years.

As per the news reports, Shah Rukh Khan was the original choice for the role of Daljit aka DJ. However, Shah Rukh had to reject the film, as he was shooting Paheli. Similarly, Hrithik was also reportedly approached for R Madhavan's role, but he also rejected it and the rest is history. It was also reported that Soha Ali Khan was not the original choice for the film, and the director did approach Preity Zinta for the role, but she also said no to the film. 

During the release, Rang De Basanti gained critical acclaim and it became a blockbuster. However, the impact of the film was more than box office numbers. Rang De Basanti became an inspiration to the young generation. The youth became more vocal in voicing their issues. RDB encouraged social change and inspired movements from candle marches, to the intense investigation of the Jessica Lal murder case. The movie's contribution in bringing justice to Jessica Lal was also shown in No One Killed Jessica (2011).

From the candle-light silent march during Jessica Lal's verdict (in 2006, the same year when the movie had release) and Nirbhaya’s spine-chilling brutal rape case to anti-reservation protests, students across the nation were galvanised by Aamir Khan's film and voiced against the injustice.

Rang De Basanti broke all opening box office records in India, becoming the country's highest-grossing film in its opening weekend. Made in a reported budget of Rs 28 crores, the film grossed Rs 96 crores worldwide. 

Rang De Basanti received unanimous critical acclaim. It won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2007 BAFTA Awards. RDB was chosen as India's official entry for the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category, however, it did not ultimately secure a nomination for either award.