Kiran Rao, assistant director on 'Lagaan', reflects on her challenging role. Despite doubts, she embraces filmmaking, paving her path as a director
Kiran Rao, known for her work as a filmmaker, recently reflected on her experience as an assistant director (AD) on Aamir Khan's acclaimed film 'Lagaan'. In a candid interview, she shared insights into her role on the set and the challenges she faced.
Rao's responsibilities as an AD included coordinating the actors' hair and makeup schedules. Describing her tasks, she mentioned the daunting challenge of ensuring all the actors were ready for filming, considering the elaborate makeup, hair, and wardrobe requirements, especially in a production like 'Lagaan' which featured two cricket teams and intricate period costumes. She humorously recounted her early morning routine of prompting the crew to prepare breakfast for the actors, citing an amusing anecdote about one actor's preference for toast.
Reflecting on her journey, Rao revealed moments of doubt about her career path, particularly considering her academic background with a Masters in Mass Communication from Jamia Millia Islamia. Despite her initial uncertainties, she acknowledged the necessity of gaining experience in various aspects of filmmaking, even if it meant spending most of her time in the makeup room rather than on set.
Recalling the initial edit of 'Lagaan', Rao mentioned the staggering length of the footage, which clocked in at four hours excluding the cricket sequences. She expressed surprise at how the final version managed to condense the story into a runtime of 3 hours and 44 minutes, considering their initial expectations of a much longer film. Despite her limited involvement in the filming process, she acknowledged the success of 'Lagaan', which not only became a box office hit but also garnered critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
Transitioning from her role as an AD, Kiran Rao ventured into directing with her debut film 'Dhobi Ghat' in 2010. Recently, she has released 'Laapataa Ladies', further solidifying her position in the film industry as a talented filmmaker.
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