The script demanded a dry location : an agricultural village where it had not rained in several years . To depict the 1890s era , the crew also required a village which lacked electricity , communication and automobiles . Kutch faced the same problems at that time and hence the village of Kunariya , located a few miles away from Bhuj , was chosen . During the filming of '' Lagaan '' , it did not rain at all in the region . However , a week after the shoot finished , it rained heavily bringing relief to Bhuj , which had a lean monsoon the previous year . The typical old Kutch hamlet was built by the local people four months before the arrival of the crew . The 2001 Gujarat earthquake devastated this region and displaced many locals . The crew , including the English , contributed to their cause by donating , with further contributions during the year
2001 Gujarat earthquake
2001 Gujarat earthquake
Lagaan