Javed Akhtar says, being an atheist, ‘O Paalanhare’ from ‘Lagaan’ has been the most difficult song to write for him: ‘Had to surrender in my heart’ | Hindi Movie News

As Lagaan celebrates 25 years since its release, the iconic film is set to return to theatres, giving audiences another chance to experience the beloved sports drama on the big screen. Amid the celebrations, lyricist Javed Akhtar revisited the making of one of the film’s most memorable songs, O Paalanhaare, and revealed why it remains the most difficult song he has ever written.During a special conversation hosted by Meiyang Chang, members of the Lagaan team reflected on the film’s timeless music and the creative journey behind it. Looking back, Javed Akhtar admitted that writing O Paalanhaare pushed him in ways no other song had.“When people ask me which is the one song I found a challenge to write, I always say it’s ‘O Paalanhaare’,” he said.Akhtar explained that AR Rahman’s composition carried an inherent sense of spirituality that transcended religion and instantly evoked devotion. Despite identifying as an atheist, he found himself searching for a deeper emotional space to write the lyrics.“Even as an atheist, I had to find innocence and surrender in my heart. You can’t write such songs with tact and craft; it can only be done with purity and simplicity.”Reflecting on the song’s enduring popularity, Rahman shared that creating something timeless had always been his goal.“I wanted to make the music timeless, and luckily it has become that.” The anniversary celebrations do not stop there. According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, Aamir Khan is also planning a grand reunion for the entire Lagaan team as the film completes 25 years.The event is expected to bring together not only the actors but also technicians, crew members and several individuals who played a role in bringing the ambitious project to life. The reunion is being planned as a tribute to everyone associated with the film, which went on to become one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated productions and earned an Academy Award nomination.Sharing details about the gathering, a source told the portal, “The party will be held on Saturday, June 13, at a five-star hotel in Mumbai. The entire team of Lagaan has been invited for the bash. This doesn’t just include the principal and supporting cast, but every unit member and others who had contributed to the film. It’ll be a huge reunion for the whole team and they’ll go down memory lane and share their special memories associated with Lagaan.“The source further revealed Aamir’s excitement about hosting the event.“Aamir Khan is quite excited to throw this bash and celebrate a film which is close to his heart. He’s eagerly looking forward to meeting the team and having a gala time with them. It’ll surely be an evening to remember,” the source further added.Released in 2001, Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and starred Aamir Khan in the lead role. The critically acclaimed film featured an ensemble cast including Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne, Suhasini Mulay, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rajendra Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Rajesh Vivek, Shrivallabh Vyas, Raj Zutshi, Pradeep Rawat, Akhilendra Mishra, Daya Shankar Pandey, Yashpal Sharma, Amin Hajee, Aditya Lakhia, Javed Khan, A. K. Hangal and several others. Over the years, the film has remained a landmark achievement in Indian cinema, celebrated for its storytelling, performances and unforgettable music.