Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s 'Rang De Basanti' remains a landmark in Indian cinema, known for its powerful portrayal of patriotism and social activism. The film follows a group of friends who draw inspiration from India’s freedom fighters and stand up against corruption. With a star-studded cast including Aamir Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Siddharth, Soha Ali Khan, R Madhavan, and Alice Patten, Rang De Basanti received both critical acclaim and box office success. The film's gripping narrative, stellar performances, and memorable soundtrack have made it an enduring favorite.
Rang De Basanti climax was not a part of the original script
One of the most emotional moments in the film is its intense climax, which left a lasting impact on viewers. However, many are unaware that this iconic ending wasn’t part of the original script. Aamir Khan, in a behind-the-scenes revelation, once shared how he influenced a major change in the film’s conclusion to give it greater depth and significance.
In a video on the YouTube channel Cinemaanreal, Aamir recalled that the original climax had the protagonists assassinating the corrupt defense minister and then attempting to escape the city, only to be killed in different locations. Aamir, however, felt this ending didn’t fit the story's tone.
Aamir explained, “Originally what the climax was that we kill the defence minister and we try to escape from the city and each one of us gets shot at different places. So I asked Mehra, ‘I love your script (but) the end doesn’t make sense to me because why are they running? Do they feel they have done something wrong?’ So he was like, ‘ya, why are they running?'”
Aamir Khan suggested alternative ending
Aamir suggested an alternative ending that would better align with the ideals of Bhagat Singh, a revolutionary hero frequently referenced in the film. He elaborated, "Throughout the film your parallel is Bhagat Singh… Bhagat Singh didn’t run away. So he got arrested by choice and then expressed what he had to. Even these guys therefore shouldn’t run away. I had this story I had written many years ago. In my version there were two guys… it reached a situation where they need to communicate with society. So they enter a television studio and take over. They go live so they can start talking to the people.”
This idea led to the final, powerful climax, where the protagonists seize a TV station to deliver their message. This emotional and resonant ending has since become one of the most unforgettable climaxes in Indian cinema, leaving a profound impact on audiences.