FILM · 1998 · INDIA
China Gate
21 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (21)
- #001
Mukesh Tiwari, who played the lead antagonist Jageera, did not bathe for days to embody his scruffy character, but kept himself fresh with perfumes.
- #002
It was the first film for both Samir Soni and Mukesh Tiwari.
- #003
Urmila performed only an item number in the film, yet she had the largest face on the film's poster.
- #004
The film holds the record for the most extras used in an Indian film and for the largest action scenes shot for an Indian film.
- #005
Rajkumar Santoshi had thrown Mamta Kulkarni out of the film over misbehavior issues. Mamta said she was replaced because she did not sleep with Rajkumar Santoshi. The issue was resolved and Mamta returned to the film.
- #006
The original lead actress was Manisha Koirala.
- #007
Ila Arun's character had a similar concept to that of her husband in Ghatak (1996), who is killed at the beginning of the film while raising his voice against injustice.
- #008
Mukesh Tiwari did not bathe for 50 days to get into his scruffy character.
- #009
While the film's main hero, Samir Soni, was in a supporting role, Amrish Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Danny Denzongpa and Om Puri were in the lead roles.
- #010
Urmila Matondkar appeared as an item girl twice in Rajkumar Santoshi's two productions, China Gate and Lajja.
- #011
Mamta Kulkarni took the lead role in the film because Rajkumar Santoshi had promised her a role in Ghatak but only offered her the dance number Koi Jaye Toh Le Aaye.
- #012
The film was inspired by the Hollywood film Seven Samurai (1954) and was partly influenced by the classic Sholay (1975).
- #013
The film received mixed reviews at the time of its release, but today it is regarded as a classic.
- #014
In the title sequence, Om Puri's name appears before Naseeruddin Shah's. This was a first, since Naseeruddin Shah was always seen as a lead actor while Om Puri was seen as a character actor.
- #015
Jatin Lalit were to compose the film's music, but later backed out.
- #016
Of the 10 soldiers who come together to fight Jagira in the film, only 4 survive. As of 2021, 4 of the soldiers had died in chronological order: Amrish Puri (d. 2005), Om Puri (d. 2017), Viju Khote (d. 2019) and Jagdeep (d. 2021). Girish Karnad, who played the forest officer killed by Jagira, died in 2019.
- #017
The film was released in cinemas in Canada.
- #018
It is Mamta Kulkarni's last hit and best-known film.
- #019
During production, people wondered what kind of film Rajkumar Santoshi would not make: one with any kind of lead hero.
- #020
During the shoot, stories about a secret wedding between Tinnu Verma and Mamta Kulkarni appeared in the media. All of them turned out to be false.
- #021
Rajkumar Santoshi approached the actress Laila (Dushman Duniya Kaa and Insaan) for the film. She agreed and gave her dates. That was when Bharat Shah heard about it and was upset; he wanted a well-known actress because Samir Soni was also new. Santoshi gave in and promised her a future project. That is how he eventually signed her for Insanaan.
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