Ira Khan, daughter of Bollywood star Aamir Khan and producer Reena Dutta, publicly celebrated her mother's contribution to the landmark film Lagaan as the epic clocks 25 years in Hindi cinema and returns to theatres with a re-release. The tribute came during a screening when Reena Dutta's name appeared on screen as Executive Producer of the Ashutosh Gowariker-directed classic.

Ira's tribute to Reena Dutta

Ira took to social media to express her pride, writing 'My mamma made a beautiful film' alongside the hashtags #lagaan, #producer, and #proud. She was reportedly heard cheering aloud at the screening the moment her mother's credit rolled. The post drew wide attention, spotlighting Reena Dutta's often-understated role in bringing one of Indian cinema's most celebrated films to life.

About Lagaan and its legacy

Released in 2001, Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India is an epic period sports drama set during the late Victorian era of British colonial rule in 1893. The film follows villagers in Central India who, crushed by heavy taxation and years of drought, accept a challenge from an arrogant British Indian Army officer — beat his team at cricket or continue paying the crippling taxes. The cast includes Gracy Singh, and British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne alongside Aamir Khan in the lead.

Lagaan holds a rare distinction in Indian film history: it is only the third Indian film — and as of 2025, the last — to receive a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, following Mother India and Salaam Bombay! At the box office in 2001, it faced a direct clash with Sunny Deol's Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, one of the most storied box-office rivalries in Bollywood history.

The Khan family backdrop

Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta married in 1986 and were together for 16 years before divorcing in 2002. Together they have two children — Ira Khan and Junaid Khan, who made his acting debut in the 2024 OTT film Maharaj. Aamir subsequently married filmmaker Kiran Rao in 2005; they divorced amicably in 2021 and share a son, Azad Rao Khan, born via surrogacy in 2011.

Aamir is currently in a relationship with Gauri Spratt, which the two confirmed in 2025. The couple is set to marry on 5 July.

Why the re-release matters

The theatrical re-release of Lagaan is part of a broader trend of landmark Hindi films returning to cinemas to mark milestone anniversaries, allowing newer audiences to experience the film on the big screen. Notably, the re-release has also renewed attention on the behind-the-scenes contributions of producers like Reena Dutta, whose work on the film had historically received less public recognition than its director or lead actor.