Lagaan - Once Upon a Time in India (2001)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Khris N

  
  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.… More
  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. 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!

• Curtis L

  
  Moulin Rouge ripped this movie off. Wasn't bad, I suppose, but I admit I wasn't paying much attention to it.

• xGary X

  
  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.

• Lanning :

  
  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… More
  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" foreign powers. This tax is always as unjust as is the tyrannical reign of outsiders over indigenous peoples. In <i>Lagaan,</i> 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. <p> 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 : )

• meril l

  
  ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. This movie is epic in proportions (at 3h 40) but it is worth sitting through the long running time. The cricket match goes on a bit too long, but apart from that, this movie is such a pleasure to watch. I love the blend of Indian and English (cultures as well as… More
  ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. This movie is epic in proportions (at 3h 40) but it is worth sitting through the long running time. The cricket match goes on a bit too long, but apart from that, this movie is such a pleasure to watch. I love the blend of Indian and English (cultures as well as languages). The musical numbers are particularly impressive.

• Daisy M

  
  Maybe one of the best Indian movies of all time, Good acting from Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh and all the rest of the cast. Good storyline - not the usual emotional or try too hard to be like Hollywood Indian films. Though the love story is still there, it does not interfere with the… More
  Maybe one of the best Indian movies of all time, Good acting from Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh and all the rest of the cast. Good storyline - not the usual emotional or try too hard to be like Hollywood Indian films. Though the love story is still there, it does not interfere with the story. Good song and dance sequence,(although I never like that part) they kept it real - there was only one very short piece where the English lady was imagining. It makes stiff and formal English culture look very dull in contrast to the brilliant song and dance sequences of the Indians.It was a very long movie almost 4 hours but Aamir and also Ashutush Gowarikar did a good work. I watched it cause it was a Award winning movie, otherwise I never did.

• FanGirl B

  
  I love Bollywood! Who else could make a 4 hour movie about a cricket game fun to watch? ;)

• Krystle C

  
  I've never been so fascinated by a cricket game in my life! Enchanting story of good vs. evil set in rural colonial India. Even if you're not a fan of lavish Bollywood song-and-dance fare, you'll be captivated by the epic battle of wickets at the end.

Read all 8 featured audience ratings