Aamir Khan, Raj Zutshi, Raghuvir Yadav, Rachel Shelley, Gracy Singh

Sometime during latter half of the 19th century, a small village in North India is facing drought conditions. Captain Andrew Russell (Paul Blackthorne), the British captain of the nearby cantonment, d...( read more  read more... )emands double of the usual land tax (lagaan) from the villagers. When the villagers' representatives go to meet Captain Russell to discuss the situation, Capt. Russell challenges them to a game of cricket with his team after three months. A young villager Bhuvan (Aamir Khan) accepts the challenge and starts to build his team of villagers for the showdown with their colonial rulers.

Flixster Users

91% liked it

16,091 ratings

Critics

95% liked it

59 critics

PG, 3 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Ashutosh Gowariker

Release Date: June 15, 2001

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DVD Release Date: January 22, 2002

Stats: 1,135 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,135)


  • October 19, 2009
    For a movie which is SOOO GOOOD and beautifuly made - it will make you ignore the length as you will be immersed in this Bollywood epic.
    Aamir Kahn is one of Bollywoods' favourite sons as he stars and produces this epic - which stands as one of the best Bollywood movies to date....( read more)

    Set in the 1800's, in the midst of British Rule, one province takes a gamble to defy their oppressors and the land taxes in a game of cricket. Simple... yet cleverly wound into a bollywood love triangle intertwined with the regular, but in this case fabulous musicals which have made this movie spectacular, and cinematography to make your heart melt.

    A distinctly unique film, you will see an age old India arise out of the dust, and Victorian Age British mixed in the wilderness of the sub continent, a real historic rewind so accurate it would make you believe you were there.

    Better watch this musical!
  • March 10, 2008
    Moulin Rouge ripped this movie off. Wasn't bad, I suppose, but I admit I wasn't paying much attention to it.
  • January 14, 2008
    One of the most inspirational sport films ever made... about cricket. Who knew?
  • July 14, 2007
    I'm not usually a fan of sports films, but mixed with interesting period detail, beautifully shot locations and a political spin, this works really rather well. And it deserves applause for doing the impossible and making a game of cricket interesting.
  • July 10, 2007
    The tax that Indians must pay to the British occupational government at the turn of the 19th century is "lagaan." This is the price that occupied peoples are always expected to fork over in some form or another whenever they have been "adopted" for their own good by "benevolent"...( read more) foreign powers. This tax is always as unjust as is the tyrannical reign of outsiders over indigenous peoples. In Lagaan, a Bollywood spectacle complete with often unexpected but very much appreciated musical numbers, the tax has become unbearable in a time of drought and deprivation. How do the oppressed free themselves from this burden, albeit temporarily, and get back at the oppressors? Why of course, in fine political form, the Indians appropriate the British game of cricket from them and then beat them at it, thus winning a foolhardy and egotistical bet that means no payment of lagaan for three whole years. Beating the Brits at their own sport, a beautiful foreshadowing of the end of empire.

    If Shakespeare were alive to see this film, I'm sure he would approve of its broad sweep. There really is something for everyone here. The groundlings as well, would surely approve : )

  • November 13, 2009
    semangat cintakan negara
  • October 11, 2009
    Always stand on your feet
  • October 7, 2009
    it's perfect. too perfect. A.R.Rahman really rocks. perfect music and songs @ right situations. Casting is perfect. Direction is perfect. Lyrics is perfect. Gracy singh is good. Everyone did perfect. And the climax.... anyway we know india will win. But still they did the maximum...( read more). And a bit tragic ending.... perfect love.
  • September 9, 2009
    This was my very first Bollywood film experience, thanks to Mr. P in high school. It will remain one of my favorites, though I rarely ever feel the need to watch the entire cricket game anymore. I still listen to the soundtrack pretty frequently and always love it.
  • September 5, 2009
    its simply fantastic movie, one of best from indian film industry. a must see movie.

Critic Reviews


December 31, 2003
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

A great big Bollywood musical, complete with song and dance and doomed love triangles and elegantly photographed men playing cricket. And it's terrific fun, in a way that only great big musical fantas... full review

June 7, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

An enormously entertaining movie, like nothing we've ever seen before, and yet completely familiar. full review

View more Lagaan - Once Upon a Time in India reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • technicalflavor
    July 17, 2006
    The high point of the movie is the three-day match between the villagers and the British team.The humor built into individual characters as Aamir Khan assembles a cricket team and respond to the challenge of the British General is most entertaining.

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