Almost two decades after its release, Rang De Basanti continues to be remembered as one of the most powerful and game-changing films in Indian cinema. But actor Soha Ali Khan recently revealed that the making of the film was not as smooth as its later success might suggest. In a candid conversation, she shared that there was a time when the cast members—including herself and other lead actors—actually decided to return their acting fees to the makers, as uncertainty loomed large over the project’s future.
Soha recalled that director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s vision for the film was both ambitious and unconventional for its time. The storyline, which blended contemporary college life with the historic struggle of India’s freedom fighters, was seen as risky by many in the industry. “People weren’t sure how audiences would react to a narrative that went back and forth between two eras,” she explained. Because of these doubts, financial backing for the film became shaky, and there were concerns about whether the project would even get completed.
It was at this critical moment that the cast, which included Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni, and Soha herself, chose to stand in solidarity with the director. “All of us believed in the story, in what the film wanted to say. We didn’t want money to be the reason it failed. So, we decided to give our fees back to support the production,” Soha said, adding that it was a collective gesture of faith rather than a sacrifice.
Looking back, she expressed how the gamble paid off in ways they had never imagined. When Rang De Basanti finally hit theatres in 2006, it struck a chord with audiences across generations. The film’s message about youth awakening, patriotism, and accountability resonated deeply, turning it into a cultural phenomenon. “The love that people still have for the film makes us feel that our decision at that time was the right one,” she added with pride.
The film went on to receive both critical and commercial success, winning awards nationally and internationally, and sparking conversations about politics, social responsibility, and the power of the younger generation.
Soha’s revelation is a reminder of the kind of trust and commitment that goes into making pathbreaking cinema. For her, the experience remains one of the most memorable chapters of her career—not only because of the film’s impact, but also because of the unity and conviction the team showed behind the scenes.
