As the film Rang De Basanti celebrated its 20th anniversary, a special screening in Mumbai brought together key members of the cast, including Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Sharman Joshi, Siddharth, Kunal Kapoor, and Atul Kulkarni, along with director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. The reunion, marking two decades since the film's release in 2006, was a nostalgic affair, with cast members sporting customized hoodies featuring the film's title. However, one familiar face was noticeably absent: R. Madhavan, who played Flight Lieutenant Ajay Rathod in the film.
The absence of Madhavan sparked curiosity among fans, who quickly noticed his absence from the group photos and videos circulating on social media. Soha Ali Khan acknowledged his absence in her Instagram post, captioning a video of the cast cutting a cake with, "20 years later – we showed up! A few were missed but the spirit was still…".
Addressing the speculation surrounding his absence, R Madhavan clarified that work commitments prevented him from attending the reunion. "I was at a shoot abroad when the event took place and couldn't fly back in time," he explained. He expressed his disappointment at missing the event, stating, "I really missed it and I wish I could have been there with all of them to celebrate this iconic film".
Madhavan also revealed that the reunion was initially scheduled for January but was postponed following a tragic plane crash in Baramati, Maharashtra, which claimed the lives of all aboard, including then Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. "We didn't want to celebrate at that time, naturally. It was a very very tragic, heartbreaking event," he said.
Rang De Basanti, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, tells the story of a British film student who travels to India to document the lives of five freedom fighters from the Indian revolutionary movement. The film evolves into a powerful narrative about youthful awakening, social responsibility, and the fight against corruption and injustice. The film won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film and received a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2007 BAFTA Awards.
The reunion served as a reminder of the film's lasting impact on Indian cinema and its continued resonance with audiences. While Madhavan's absence was felt, his explanation provided clarity and underscored the cast's shared sentiment for the film and its legacy.