Akhilendra Mishra reveals people were washing their hair with mineral water on Aamir Khan’s ‘Lagaan’ set: ‘You could eat as much as you wanted…’

The 2001 film ‘Lagaan‘ made India proud with its exceptional production and its nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Aamir Khan, who also made his debut as a producer with the film, led a cast that shot extensively in Bhuj, far from urban amenities. Now, over two decades later, actor Akhilendra Mishra, who played the role of Arjan, has called it an unforgettable experience.
Speaking to Friday Talkies, Mishra shared that the level of preparation and care offered to the cast and crew was on par with global standards. From setting up temporary residential blocks in a remote location to curating international cuisines, the team ensured everyone felt at home. He credited the production management for the film’s success. “They had all kinds of food—any cuisine you wanted, any juice you wanted—you name it, and you had it. Even the foreign artistes were eating Indian food. For them, there was a huge continental food setup, but they all flocked to the Indian section,” he stated.

In fact, he revealed that the team was so particular about health and hygiene that drinking mineral water wasn’t optional—it was a rule. “The standards were of international level. As soon as we woke up in the morning and stepped out of our buses, they would set up all kinds of breakfast. You could eat as much as you wanted and drink as much as you wanted—nobody stopped you.”
He went on to contrast this with the tight control exercised by other productions, where they would keep an eye on even the smallest things, such as whether mineral water was used to wash hands.
But on the Lagaan sets, the situation was the complete opposite: “On the sets of Lagaan, it was the reverse. People were making sure that no one drank the local water. Everyone had to drink Bisleri water. They were very careful about people’s health—after all, falling ill would halt the entire shoot. People were even washing their hair with Bisleri water.”

Beyond hospitality, Mishra also noted the hands-on leadership shown by the film’s core team. Reena Dutta, Aamir Khan’s then-wife and the producer of the film, was fully involved—often braving the scorching 44-degree heat alongside the crew. He also highlighted Aamir’s transparency and fairness when the shoot ran over schedule. What stood out the most for Mishra was Aamir’s camaraderie and humility—he would sit down on the floor, talk, and eat with everyone.