Aamir Khan recalls Reema Kagti’s ‘harsh’ scolding on ‘Lagaan’ and ‘Talaash’ sets: ‘She blasted me so badly and said, how dare you come late?’ | Hindi Movie News
Aamir Khan has often spoken about his professional equation with filmmaker Reema Kagti, but their collaboration has not always been smooth. Recalling their time together on the sets of ‘Lagaan’ and ‘Talaash’, the actor revealed how Kagti would firmly call him out over punctuality and set discipline, regardless of his stature as an actor or producer.
Reema Kagti blasted Aamir Khan for arriving late on ‘Talaash’ set
Speaking at a reunion celebrating Farhan Akhtar‘s ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, Aamir Khan recalled an incident from the sets of ‘Talaash’, where Reema Kagti was directing him. The actor had asked for permission to arrive an hour late for a night shoot because he wanted to attend the retirement celebration of his close friend, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.“That day was the night shoot of ‘Talaash’. I know how Reema is,” Aamir said, laughing.He explained that he had told Reema about the event and requested an hour’s leeway, describing it as an “important occasion” because Tendulkar is a “national icon”. Reema reluctantly agreed, but the evening did not go according to plan. The celebration ran longer than expected, and Tendulkar asked Aamir to stay back and speak.“So, I thought okay, aaj Reema se daant kha lenge Sachin ke liye,” Aamir recalled with a laugh.What was supposed to be a one-hour delay eventually turned into a four-to-five-hour wait. When Aamir finally reached the set, Reema did not spare him.“She blasted me so badly… She said, ‘How dare you come late? Is this your professionalism?’ So, we’re still working on it. We’re still getting there,” he confessed.Aamir and Reema have not collaborated on another film since ‘Talaash’.
Reema Kagti also reprimanded Aamir during ‘Lagaan’
Their clashes over punctuality, however, date back to ‘Lagaan’. At the time, Reema worked as the film’s second assistant director and was responsible for coordinating schedules for its large ensemble cast. Aamir recalled that he had requested the team to call him for breakfast 15 minutes before the rest of the cast because he takes longer to eat. Reema, however, refused to make an exception for him.“She scolded me and said, ‘For you, the whole hair and makeup team will not come 15 minutes earlier,'” he recalled.The situation was particularly striking for Aamir because he was not only the lead actor but also the producer of ‘Lagaan’. Yet, he said Reema made it clear that his position would not alter the schedule.“I’m the producer, and she is scolding me. I said, ‘It takes time for me.’ She said, ‘I don’t care; you have to come.’ She spoke to me very harshly. I felt hurt,” Aamir shared.In response, the actor decided to skip breakfast altogether, hoping it would make a difference. Instead, Reema simply used his decision to reinforce her point.“It didn’t affect her; she said, ‘Very good, you can be ready on time then.’ After a week, exhausted, I went back to having breakfast there again,” Aamir admitted.
Reema Kagti is known for her no-nonsense approach on sets
Aamir’s anecdotes highlight Reema Kagti’s reputation for maintaining discipline on film sets, even when dealing with established stars. Her insistence on punctuality has reportedly extended beyond her interactions with Aamir. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has previously recalled an incident from the making of ‘Lakshya’, where Reema reportedly pushed veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan to adhere to the schedule. Her strict approach even earned her the nickname ‘Gurkha’ from Bachchan, a reference to the famed discipline associated with Nepali soldiers.
