KUNARIA, March 24: Residents of a village where India’s Oscar nominee “Lagaan” was shot shortly before a massive earthquake, said on Sunday that the film’s producer-star Aamir Khan did not deserve to win as he had ignored them during their darkest hour.

Kunaria village, in the Kutch region, is located in the western Indian state of Gujarat, which was rocked by a massive earthquake in January last year which killed more than 20,000 people. A million others lost their homes.

“A month after the earthquake, Khan sent one of his personal assistants to assess the destruction in our village. He told me that Khan would help us in our darkest hour,” said Kunaria village headman Vela Rana.

“But he has done nothing so far. We feel that he can still do something for the village,” added Rana.

The criticism of Khan is in dramatic contrast to the praise lavished on him by India’s Bollywood film industry and many ordinary Indians, who are hoping “Lagaan” can secure the country its first Oscar in the awards’ 74-year history.

“Khan spent one year shooting ‘Lagaan’ in our village and we made him and his crew feel completely at home,” said farmer Shamji Rupa, living in the rubble of his destroyed home.

“Khan has now earned millions from ‘Lagaan’ but we continue to stare at bleak futures in the aftermath of the earthquake.”

Housewife Shakina Begum said she had long-stopped being a Khan fan.

“Khan may be a big man but he has not showed our village any generosity associated with a man of a big heart. He has lowered himself in our eyes,” said Begum.

Others agreed they could not share in Khan’s moment of glory even though he had immortalised their dusty little village on celluloid.

“It may have put us on the map but after everything that has happened to us we cannot be expected to feel thrilled if ‘Lagaan’ bags an Oscar,” said 60-year-old Jamnaben Ahir.

“The reality of our lives is too harsh.”

But Bollywood — which produces some 800 films a year, more than Hollywood — is banking on international accolades for “Lagaan.” —AFP