Aamir Khan screens Lagaan for Bhuj locals

Actor-producer Aamir Khan has fulfilled his promise to the people of Gujarat's Bhuj district, where he shot Lagaan, by screening his dream project for them much before its worldwide release.

Lagaan was shown to a large number of enthralled locals who had helped in the making of the movie.

The three-hour-40-minute-long film, set in a small village under colonial rule some 100 years ago, was canned in Bhuj, a region that was devastated by an earthquake in January.

"They (locals) were so happy to see us back as we had promised. They really loved the film," a very moved Aamir said after the screening, which was followed by a buffet attended by 600 people.

"The show had nothing to do with the unfortunate earthquake which occurred in the region. When we were shooting Lagaan in the district, we had promised we would bring the film to them when it was ready.

"They had all contributed to the film in one way or another. They clapped right through the film. They're part of Lagaan. It's their film," he said.

Last week, Aamir had screened Lagaan for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi. "He (Vajpayee) loved it. He said the songs and dialogues were very good. He also liked the performances and Ashutosh Gowarikar's direction."

Going by the media publicity that Aamir has personally supervised, Lagaan seems to be his most special film to date. "But I treat every film of mine the same way. Lagaan has made more news because the prime minister saw it.

"I've in no way been more media friendly this time. I've always given interviews in Mumbai and Delhi before every release. But I'm thrilled with all the attention Lagaan is getting."

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