Actor Amin Hajee says ‘Lagaan’ ruined his career, now struggles for roles

Mumbai-based actor Amin Hajee, who played a supporting role in the Oscar‑nominated film “Lagaan”, told Mid‑Day that the movie’s unprecedented success became a professional setback. He said that after the film’s release, casting directors typecast him and preferred fresh faces, leaving him with few offers. Hajee added that the industry’s focus on the film’s star cast meant his own contributions were overlooked, effectively stalling his career.

The actor recalled that before “Lagaan”, he had been steadily working in regional cinema and television. However, the sudden surge in the film’s popularity created a perception that he was already “used up”, making producers hesitant to hire him for new projects. He expressed frustration that the very platform that brought him national visibility also limited his future prospects.

Hajee’s comments highlight a broader issue in Bollywood where actors associated with landmark films sometimes find it hard to break away from the roles that defined them. He hopes that sharing his experience will prompt industry stakeholders to reconsider casting practices and give seasoned performers a fair chance.

The interview did not disclose any specific upcoming projects for Hajee, and he declined to comment on potential collaborations with filmmakers.

Mid‑Day could not independently verify the claims but reported them as part of Hajee’s personal account of his post‑“Lagaan” career trajectory.