Rachel Shelley shares rare BTS photos from Lagaan at 25-year milestone
Synopsis
Twenty-five years after Lagaan's release, British actress Rachel Shelley has surfaced rare personal photographs from the shoot — including a candid frame with a shirtless Aamir Khan and stills from the iconic 'O Re Chori' sequence. It is a rare window into one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated productions, shared by one of its most memorable international faces.
Key Takeaways
Rachel Shelley shared six previously unseen BTS photographs from Lagaan on her personal social media account.
The images include candid frames with Aamir Khan and stills from the 'O Re Chori' sequence.
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India was released on 15 June 2001 , directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and produced by Aamir Khan .
The film received a nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 74th Academy Awards .
The cast and crew held a special script-reading reunion in June 2026 to mark the silver jubilee.
British actress Rachel Shelley, who portrayed Elizabeth Russell in Ashutosh Gowariker's landmark period drama Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India, has shared a set of previously unseen behind-the-scenes photographs as the film marks its 25th anniversary. The images, drawn from her personal archives, offer fans an intimate look at the making of the 2001 classic and her time on set alongside the cast and crew.
A Glimpse Into the Archives
Shelley posted a carousel of six photographs on her social media account, captioning the post: 'A few more pictures for you from the albums in the attic. Amazing memories. #25YearsOfLagaan #Lagaan.' The images span group shots with the international and Indian cast in period costume, candid moments from the outdoor shoot, and a notable frame featuring Aamir Khan seated shirtless with Shelley posed beside him.
Another photograph from the carousel shows Khan in his character's traditional attire, holding a flowing orange scarf while performing alongside Shelley — widely recognised as the 'O Re Chori' sequence. A final image captures Shelley standing alone on a vast beach, dressed as Elizabeth.
Who Was Elizabeth Russell
In the film, Elizabeth Russell is depicted as the compassionate sister of the antagonist, Captain Andrew Russell, played by Paul Blackthorne. Unlike her brother, Elizabeth sympathises with the villagers of Champaner and covertly teaches them cricket so they can challenge the British colonisers in a high-stakes match. As the story unfolds, she develops feelings for Bhuvan, Aamir Khan's character, only to realise he is in love with Gauri, portrayed by Gracy Singh.
About the Film
Written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and produced by Aamir Khan under Aamir Khan Productions, Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India was released on 15 June 2001. The film featured an ensemble cast that included Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Suhasini Mulay, Raghubir Yadav, Rajesh Vivek, Yashpal Sharma, Raj Zutshi, Akhilendra Mishra, and Daya Shankar Pandey, among others. Its music was composed by A.R. Rahman, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar.
Notably, the film earned a nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 74th Academy Awards — a rare honour for an Indian production at the time and one that cemented its place in Hindi cinema history.
25th Anniversary Celebrations
Earlier in June 2026, the cast and crew reunited for a special script-reading session to celebrate the film's silver jubilee, revisiting the memories and creative process behind one of Bollywood's most celebrated productions. Shelley's latest photo drop adds another personal chapter to that ongoing commemorative moment, with fans and film enthusiasts responding warmly to the candid glimpses from two and a half decades ago.
As the film continues to find new audiences across streaming platforms, the anniversary celebrations underscore Lagaan's enduring cultural resonance.
Point of View
When backed by craft rather than formula, hold up. Rachel Shelley's archive photographs arrive at a moment when the film is being rediscovered on streaming platforms by a generation born after its release. What is striking is how central an international actress's personal memory bank has become to the film's anniversary narrative — a reflection of how genuinely global the production was for its era. The Academy nomination, often cited but rarely contextualised, was only the fourth for an Indian film; the anniversary coverage would do well to anchor that fact more prominently.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What photos did Rachel Shelley share for Lagaan's 25th anniversary?
Rachel Shelley shared six previously unseen behind-the-scenes photographs from her personal archives, including a candid shot with Aamir Khan and stills from the 'O Re Chori' sequence. The images offer a rare glimpse into the making of the 2001 film.
What was Rachel Shelley's role in Lagaan?
Rachel Shelley played Elizabeth Russell, the compassionate sister of antagonist Captain Andrew Russell. She sympathises with the villagers of Champaner, secretly teaches them cricket, and develops feelings for Bhuvan, played by Aamir Khan.
When was Lagaan released and who made it?
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India was released on 15 June 2001. It was written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and produced by Aamir Khan under Aamir Khan Productions, with music by A.R. Rahman and lyrics by Javed Akhtar.
Did Lagaan win an Oscar?
Lagaan did not win an Oscar but received a nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 74th Academy Awards — a significant achievement for an Indian production at the time.
How did the cast celebrate Lagaan's 25th anniversary?
In June 2026, the cast and crew reunited for a special script-reading session to mark the film's silver jubilee. Rachel Shelley further commemorated the milestone by posting rare personal photographs from the original shoot on her social media account.
