Shenaz Treasurywala gets Lagaan's Captain Russell to apologise in Hindi
Synopsis
Twenty-five years after Captain Russell terrorised Champaner's villagers, Paul Blackthorne was back on Mumbai's streets — and this time Shenaz Treasurywala had him apologising in Hindi. The chance encounter, filmed and shared online, became an instant nostalgia hit as Lagaan returns to theatres for its silver jubilee.
Key Takeaways
Shenaz Treasurywala bumped into Paul Blackthorne on the streets of Mumbai and filmed him reciting Hindi phrases on 18 June .
Blackthorne recited 'Mujhe Please Maaf Karo' (Please forgive me), which Shenaz framed as on-camera revenge for Captain Russell's on-screen villainy.
Paul Blackthorne was in Mumbai for Lagaan's 25th anniversary celebrations.
On 12 June , Aamir Khan , director Ashutosh Gowariker , and cast including Gracy Singh marked the milestone at a grand event.
Lagaan's iconic line 'Teen Guna Lagaan Dena Padega' , delivered by Blackthorne's Captain Russell, remains one of Bollywood's most quoted dialogues.
Actress and social media influencer Shenaz Treasurywala turned a chance street encounter in Mumbai into a delightful piece of Bollywood nostalgia, coaxing British actor Paul Blackthorne — best known as the villainous Captain Russell in Aamir Khan's Lagaan — into reciting Hindi phrases on camera. The video, shared on 18 June, quickly drew warm reactions from fans of the 1991-era classic.
How It Happened
Shenaz revealed in the video that she bumped into Blackthorne entirely by chance while walking through the streets of Mumbai and spontaneously decided to become his city guide for the day. She proceeded to teach him a set of Hindi lines, including 'Mujhe Phool Pasand Hai', 'Yeh Gateway of India hai', 'Yahanse British Queen aayi thi', and — most pointedly — 'Mujhe Please Maaf Karo' (Please forgive me). Blackthorne reportedly delivered each line with impressive fluency.
The Revenge Angle
As Blackthorne repeated 'Mujhe Please Maaf Karo', Shenaz quipped that she was finally extracting revenge on behalf of every Indian viewer who watched Captain Russell torment the villagers of Champaner on screen. The moment landed as a playful, affectionate callback to one of Hindi cinema's most beloved antagonists.
Captioning the clip, Shenaz wrote: 'Captain Russell from Lagaan... 25 years later! Lagaan is playing in theatres again and I ran into Captain Russell on the street. Of course I had to show him around. Still the same villain India loves to hate. And I have to say, his Hindi is seriously impressive.'
Why Blackthorne Was in Mumbai
Paul Blackthorne was in the city as part of the celebrations marking Lagaan's 25th anniversary. On 12 June, Aamir Khan, director Ashutosh Gowariker, and several cast members gathered for a milestone event. Leading lady Gracy Singh made a rare public appearance at the celebrations after years away from the media spotlight.
In the film, Blackthorne's Captain Russell levies triple taxation on drought-stricken Indian villagers, with his line 'Teen Guna Lagaan Dena Padega' becoming one of the most quoted in Bollywood history. The re-release has reignited audience interest in the film's characters and its enduring cultural resonance.
Fan Response and Cultural Moment
The video taps into a wave of nostalgia surrounding Lagaan's theatrical re-release, with fans across social media revisiting the film's iconic moments. Shenaz's impromptu Hindi lesson — framed as a light-hearted act of cinematic justice — encapsulates the affection audiences still hold for the 2001 Oscar-nominated drama, more than two decades on.
Point of View
And user-generated reunion content like this does the marketing work that studios pay millions for.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Shenaz Treasurywala make Paul Blackthorne do in the viral video?
Shenaz Treasurywala taught Paul Blackthorne, who played Captain Russell in Lagaan, several Hindi phrases including 'Mujhe Please Maaf Karo' (Please forgive me) during a chance street encounter in Mumbai. She humorously described the moment as taking revenge for his character's on-screen cruelty toward Indian villagers.
Why was Paul Blackthorne in Mumbai?
Paul Blackthorne was in Mumbai to participate in the celebrations marking Lagaan's 25th anniversary. A milestone event was held on 12 June, attended by Aamir Khan, director Ashutosh Gowariker, and other cast members including Gracy Singh.
What is Lagaan's most iconic dialogue associated with Captain Russell?
Captain Russell's line 'Teen Guna Lagaan Dena Padega' — meaning the villagers must pay triple taxation — is widely regarded as one of the most iconic dialogues in Bollywood history. It defined the film's central conflict and Blackthorne's villainous role.
Who is Gracy Singh and why was her appearance notable?
Gracy Singh played the female lead in Lagaan opposite Aamir Khan. Her appearance at the 25th anniversary celebrations was considered notable because she has largely stayed away from the public eye and media for several years.
Is Lagaan currently showing in theatres?
Yes, Lagaan has been re-released in theatres as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, drawing renewed audience interest in the Oscar-nominated 2001 film.
