Actors of Aamir Khan-Madhavan film had to return part of the money. 'Producers thought the film was not going to do well,' says Soha Ali Khan

‘ Rang De Basanti,’ which hit the big screens in 2006, became not just a box-office phenomenon but a cultural watershed. Written, produced, and directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, the movie was a coming-of-age political drama that starred Aamir Khan in the lead with several notable actors such as Madhavan, Soha Ali Khan, Sharman Joshi, and Atul Kulkarni in notable roles.

In a candid chat with Zoom, Soha admitted that when they were shooting the film, no one had any idea of the movie’s future, and producers were perturbed that the film was going to underperform at the box office.

Reflecting on ‘Rang De Basanti,’ Soha said, “I had no idea what we were making. I understood it was about patriotism; it had fabulous writing and music. But nobody anticipated it making the money it did and touching people the way it did.”

She also revealed that while they were promoting the movie, the producers requested them to return some of the money they took, as they thought the movie wouldn’t work. “They called us and asked, ‘Can you return some of the money we have given you, because we are not sure this film is going to do well... All of us gave the money back,” she admitted with a smile.

Reminiscing about filming for Rang De Basanti, the actress revealed they shot for a year. "We travelled all over India. We shot in Punjab, Rajasthan... the crew was very tight knit" she said.

Eventually, Soha reminisced, the film became a movement as well as a milestone in her career. "For me, it was a turning point in my career—something that I feel will always stand out in my journey."


Rang De Basanti: A Landmark Film

Released in 2006, Rang De Basanti is a Hindi-language film that blends political drama with a coming-of-age narrative. The project was written, produced, and directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, who crafted it into one of the most memorable movies of its decade.

The film features a diverse ensemble of actors. Aamir Khan leads the cast, joined by Siddharth in his first Hindi appearance, Atul Kulkarni, Sharman Joshi, and Kunal Kapoor. It also includes British actress Alice Patten, making her Hindi film debut, alongside veteran Waheeda Rehman and Soha Ali Khan.

The story revolves around a British student filmmaker who travels to India to create a documentary on five revolutionaries from India’s independence struggle. In her search, she befriends a group of young men and casts them in the reenactments of the freedom fighters’ lives. As they embody the characters, the experiences begin to reshape their outlook, motivating them to challenge injustices within their own government and society.

When the movie premiered, it set unprecedented box-office benchmarks. It shattered all previous records for opening-day and opening-weekend collections, instantly becoming the highest-earning Hindi release during its debut period. Over time, the film went on to secure its place among the most successful titles of the year, ranking seventh overall in 2006 with a total revenue of nearly Rs. 97 crore.

Beyond commercial triumph, Rang De Basanti was also acknowledged for its cultural and cinematic impact. Reflecting its critical success, it was selected as India’s official submission for the 79th Academy Awards, according to a report by the BBC. Its combination of powerful storytelling, patriotic themes, and youthful energy continues to resonate as a milestone in Indian cinema.