Why Did Aamir Khan Have Female Actors In Lagaan Wash Their Hair With Mineral Water? Decoding The Science Behind It

Mineral water is naturally enriched with essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which can help soothe hair!

Two decades before beauty influencers were flaunting their 10-step routines or posting water pH tests on Instagram, Aamir Khan was quietly setting skincare, and haircare, goals on the dusty sets of Lagaan. Shot in the arid landscape of Bhuj, the 2001 epic wasn’t just a cinematic milestone; it was a masterclass in on-set wellness. Think mineral water, not just to drink, but to wash your hair. Yes, really.
Actor Akhilendra Mishra, who played Arjan in the film, recently shared this nugget of behind-the-scenes trivia in an interview, revealing that Aamir’s production team went to extraordinary lengths to safeguard the health and hygiene of the cast, especially the female actors.

In a time and place where water quality could be unpredictable, the team ensured everyone used mineral water not just for drinking but for everything from rinsing fruits to shampooing hair. From a beauty perspective, that decision was more than just cautious, it was genius.

Why Should You Use Mineral Water?

Mineral water is naturally enriched with essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which can help soothe an irritated scalp and prevent dryness. Unlike hard water, which is common in many areas of India and known to contain high levels of calcium and chlorine mineral water maintains a balanced pH and lacks the impurities that can strip your hair of its natural oils. Over time, hard water can leave mineral deposits on your scalp and strands, leading to dullness, increased breakage, frizz, and even scalp issues like itchiness or dandruff.

Mineral water, on the other hand, gently nourishes the scalp and helps maintain hair texture and shine. It’s especially beneficial for those with colour-treated or damaged hair, since it won’t accelerate fading or make strands brittle. In fact, French women have long sworn by bottled or thermal spring water to rinse their hair post-shampoo for extra softness and shine.

This wasn’t just about luxury, it was about prevention. As Mishra pointed out, if even a few cast members fell ill due to contaminated water, it could delay the entire shoot. From a producer’s point of view, this kind of care made practical and financial sense. From a beauty writer’s point of view? It was far ahead of its time.

Today, we obsess over thermal water sprays and micellar waters with mineral-rich formulas. But Aamir Khan and his team were already embracing a similar philosophy way back in 2001, albeit on a grand, production-wide scale.

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So the next time you’re tempted to rinse your hair with whatever’s coming out of a dubious hotel tap, or skip the bottled water in a new city, remember Lagaan. If your hair is your crown, then mineral water might just be your secret weapon. Aamir knew. Maybe it’s time we all took a page from his beauty playbook.

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First Published: April 10, 2025 12:32 PM