A MiG-21 Crash Made Rang De Basanti A Cult In 2006. 19 Years Later, The Fighter Jet Is Retiring
More than that, Rang De Basanti was the first film to put the MiG-21 fighter jet under the scanner as by the time the ageing plane had a long history of fatal crashes, lending it the nickname "flying coffin".
On Tuesday, the Indian Air Force announced that the MiG-21 will be phased out of active service by September, to be replaced by the newer and nimbler Tejas Mk1A fighter jets.
Here's what revisiting the controversy around MiG-21 that erupted when Rang De Basanti was up for release on the Republic Day of 2006.
Rang De Basanti And MIG-21
Rang De Basanti follows a group of young college students who are devastated when Indian Air Force Officer Flight Lieutenant Ajay Singh Rathod (Madhavan), one of their friend's Sonia's fiance, is killed when his MiG-21 jet malfunctions and crashes.
The government pins the blame of the incident on Ajay, calling it pilot error and shuts the case close. Sonia (Soha) and her friends refuse to accept it as reality. They soon find out that Defence Minister VK Shastri (Mohan Agashe) signed a deal for importing cheap parts for the MiG-21 aircraft for a personal favor. It also comes as a massive shock for Karan (Siddharth) when he discovers that his father Rajnath Singhania (Kher) played a key role in the deal.
Hurt and angry by the revelation, the friends assassinate the Defence Minister and Karan kills his own father. Later, the group takes control of an All India Radio station, letting its employees go. Karan goes on air and reveals the defence ministry's corruption to the public. The group of friends are killed by the police later.
The Rang De Basanti Controversy Around The MIG-21
The film showed the Defence Minister as corrupt. Not only that the Defence Minister is also "brought to justice" by the youth of today who avenge the unfortunate death of their friend, an IAF officer, by assassinating him.
It would be surprising had Rang De Basanti got a clearance for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) as well as the government of the day -- Pranab Mukherjee was the Defence Minister at the time under then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
According to producer Ronnie Screwvala, who backed the film via UTV Motion Pictures, the then CBFC chairperson Sharmila Tagore told him that the Censor Board was "not ready to issue the censor certificate" to Rang De Basanti.
"Not that we found anything offensive about your film, just that we want you to get approval from the air force and the defence ministry before we sign off... Look, we're trying to get a special screening organised tomorrow on an emergency basis with the head of the air force. We just want them to see the movie," Ronnie Screwvala wrote in a 2015 opinion piece.
The producer further wrote that Aamir Khan was of the opinion that they should protest if things didn't work out for them after the screening.
"I think we've made the movie with a very clean heart. We're as patriotic as the next guy. I'm telling you, Ronnie, if they want us to cut a single frame of that film, I'm not going to allow it. In that case, let's not release it," the Bollywood star said as quoted by Ronnie Screwvala.
The producer said the team of Rang De Basanti went to Delhi for the screening, which was a "preview, not a review" as Air Marshal Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia put it.
"Not only was the head of the air force in attendance, but the heads of the Army and the Navy, as well as the then defence minister, Pranab Mukherjee. Two-and-a-half hours later when the lights came up, Rakeysh, Aamir and I went in front of the group to answer questions. The heads of the Army and the Navy both liked the film and had little to say."
Pranab Mukherjee asked, "I really enjoyed the movie, too. What's the problem?"
The defence minister's words must have come as a relief to the makers. But it was not over yet.
Ronnie Screwvala said Air Marshal Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia, the head of the Indian Air Force, was still left to offer his opinion.
"I think it's a fine movie... And we would never censor a movie except under extreme circumstances... All I can tell you is that I get about 10 calls a month from the mothers of my boys who fly the MiGs. Of course, they're concerned about their sons' safety. We all are. Who wouldn't be? But after this movie, I'm going to get 100 calls a month. Best of luck," the chief of the IAF said.
Real-Life Flight Lieutenant Ajay Singh Rathod
Madhavan's character of Flight Lieutenant Ajay Singh Rathod in Rang De Basanti was based on Flight Lieutenant Abhijit Gadgil who died in a MiG-21 crash in 2001. After his death, his parents Kavita Gadgil and Captain Anil Gadgil fought with the government seeking improvements in aircraft safety.
Rang De Basanti got a clean chit from the government and other authorities, was cleared by the CBFC, went on to do great business at the box office (around Rs 100 crore at the time which was massive), earned critical acclaim and won multiple National Awards, brought an important hotbutton topic to the fore, and continues to live in public memory as a radical piece of art.
The film did something that is almost impossible today.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
No gym, no crash diet: How Kapil Sharma lost 11 kilos in just 63 days with just 1 rule
's new avatar, lean, sharp, and glowing with confidence, has caught everyone's attention. Known for bringing smiles with comic timing, the comedian is now earning praise for something entirely different, his health transformation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Behind this change is not just a trending fitness routine or fad diet, but a thoughtfully planned lifestyle reset led by celebrity fitness trainer Yogesh Bhateja. What made Kapil's story stand out isn't just the weight he lost, it's how it was done. Through honest effort, smart planning, and a technique called the 21-21-21 rule, this journey became less about shrinking the body and more about reshaping habits. Here's all we need to know about the inspiring transformation. The day it all began The beginning wasn't picture-perfect. When Kapil started training with Yogesh Bhateja, who's also worked with names like Sonu Sood and Farah Khan, his body was stiff, energy levels were low, and inflammation was visibly affecting him. This was revealed by Yogesh in an interview with Mad Over Growth with Nitin Bajaj. According to Yogesh, the first training session was filled with exaggerated expressions, true to Kapil's comic spirit, but also showed how disconnected his body had become from movement. Exercises as simple as toe touches and arm circles felt uncomfortable. This wasn't a surprise, given the late-night shoots, erratic food timings, and lack of sleep Kapil had been struggling with. Yet, the very next day, he showed up. That small decision set the tone for the weeks to come. The 21-21-21 rule In a world flooded with detoxes and crash diets, Yogesh introduced a refreshingly human approach, the 21-21-21 Rule. This method divides a fitness journey into three phases of 21 days each, allowing the body and mind to adapt at a steady pace. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Phase 1 – Move before you change For the first 21 days, the focus was on movement, not perfection. Kapil began with basic exercises, think school-style PT workouts, stretching, light jogging, and yoga. No intense weightlifting. No restrictive eating. Just movement. The goal was to build rhythm and reconnect with the body. Without basic mobility, intense workouts can backfire. Kapil's early sessions focused on improving flexibility and reducing inflammation, not burning calories. Phase 2 – Food that feeds, not fills The next 21 days shifted attention to food. There was no ban on carbs or sudden calorie cuts. Instead, Yogesh encouraged mindful eating, fresh home-cooked meals, more vegetables, quality protein like fish, and cutting down on fried, processed, and sugary foods. Kapil's eating habits had no routine earlier, leading to bloating and poor digestion. This phase wasn't about shrinking portions, but restoring balance. Consistency in clean eating is more effective than intensity in restrictions. Comedian Kapil Sharma Phase 3 – Breaking the invisible chains The final 21 days addressed habits that silently sabotage progress. This phase focused on mental strength and emotional awareness. It wasn't just about quitting, but understanding how certain habits drain energy, disturb sleep, and spike cravings. True change demands mental rewiring and lifestyle correction. Small tools, big results Kapil's transformation didn't rely on machines or supplements. In fact, for weeks, the only equipment used was a yoga mat, resistance bands, and a treadmill already at home. The reason was simple, comfort and sustainability. Yogesh believed in meeting people where they are. And for someone like Kapil, who juggled late shoots and high-pressure projects, home workouts saved time, offered flexibility, and built long-term consistency. [Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or fitness advice. Weight loss journeys vary from person to person. Before starting any fitness or diet routine, it is advised to consult with a certified healthcare or fitness professional.]
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- The Hindu
Flavour of crafts from Eastern India at this year's Independence Day ‘At Home'
For those invited by President Droupadi Murmu for her customary evening reception or 'At Home' this, the 79th Independence Day, the invitation sent out in her name will be showcasing the skill of craftspersons from Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal, a nod to eastern India after this year's Republic Day bid a similar nod to southern India. The invitations will be made by contributions of artisans from these four states and curated by the National Institute of Design. Most of the artisans, many of them women worked alongside NID team, out of these nine artists from Madhubani in Bihar and 15 bamboo artisans from Jharkhand worked out of the Bengaluru campus of NID, with the rest . According Ashok Kumar Biswas, a Padma Shri awardee in 2024, and the man entrusted with producing the nearly 750 pieces of Tikuli art work from Bihar to be added to the invitation, the instructions from NID, that coordinated the effort with Rashtrapati Bhawan was clear. 'They wanted a lightweight example of Tikuli painting which is usually based on scenes of rural life in Bihar, or cultural and religious motifs, festivals etc. They asked for three types samples, of the traditional Tikuli base of MDA (dark brown in colour) with enamel paint, then on handmaid paper, and also little pieces of cardboard and plywood. I prepared a fourth sample, on paper, made to look like the dark brown Tikuli painting base, and sent it off. They approved the fourth sample and asked that 750 pieces be sent in 15 which we did at the Tikuli training centre that I run,' he said. 'It is a matter of great pride for me to be asked to do this by the President of India's office, for an occassion like indendence day, its a good initiative that places India's folk art at the centre of the Republic,' he said. The invitation will be encased in a Sikki Grass Box, made by artisans from Raiyam village in Madhubani district of Bihar, with 30 artists engaged in it. Woven delicately from Sikki grass, the box would contain a frame with the invitation itself, made of Bamboo with painting on the borders, with artists from Dumka in Jharkhand. This foldable frame can be reused as a photo frame after the event. Apart from the box and the frame, small artifacts, like a bookmark with Madhubani painting etched on it, plus a tussar stole with, again Madhubani painting with traditional block printing of symbols like Matsya (fish), Kamal (lotus) and Basant (spring) Tala Patachitra paintings by artisans from Raghurajpur in Puri, Bengali Patachitra postcard size painting by artists from Pingla village in Midnapore in West Bengal, Paitkar painting from East Singhbum in Jharkhand and Tikuli art postcard size painting from Patna in Bihar are also included in the invitation box.
Mint
9 hours ago
- Mint
Actress Ruchi Gujjar slaps producer Karan Singh at film premiere over ₹23 lakh 'fraud': ‘Started threatening'
Actress Ruchi Gujjar, who wore the viral PM Modi necklace at Cannes film festival this year, slapped and hit Karan Singh Chauhan, producer of Hindi crime thriller So Long Valley at film premiere, over alleged ₹ 23 lakh deal fraud. She said he began threatening her after she asked him to pay back the money which she reportedly paid for a project that didn't even commence. Ruchi filed a First Information Report (FIR) against him, implicating him in criminal breach of trust, and intimidation in a financial dispute, as per an India Today report. It was registered at Oshiwara police station on July 24, 2025. Karan had assured her a profit share and on-screen credit, she alleged, mentioning, 'He offered to add me as a co-producer and also sent documents related to the project.' She claimed to have paid Karan's K Studios multiple times between July 2023 and January 2024 through her company, SR Event and Entertainment. The project, however, never kicked-off. "Despite repeated contacts, he kept postponing them and lied," she said. Ruchi added the money was allegedly used for the production of So Long Valley instead of the TV project, saying, 'When I got the information that the film is releasing on July 27, I told him to return my money now, on which he started threatening me.' So Long Valley Director Man Singh said, 'Model Ruchi Gujjar and Karan Singh know each other very well. If she paid some amount to Karan for our movie, she should provide the evidence. It's a publicity stunt, nothing else.' Karan had contacted her in 2024 stating he was producing a Hindi television serial that would soon come on Sony TV, Singh noted, according to a PTI report. In a statement, he also said Ruchi sought a stay on the film's release, but the court permitted it to proceed as scheduled. Mumbai police has filed an FIR under sections 318(4), 352, and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Karan.
