Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
– Lagaan tells the tale of the Indian village Champaner, beset by drought and British colonialism in t..
Lagaan tells the tale of the Indian village Champaner, beset by drought and British colonialism in the year 1893. Without a drop of rain in months, the worried villagers of Champaner decide to ask the local authorities for a temporary repeal of their taxes -- the hated lagaan. Led by the heroic Bhuvan (Indian superstar Aamir Khan) they bring their plight to the military governor, Captain Russell (Paul Blackthorne). But the sadistic Russell threatens to raise the lagaan threefold, unless the villagers can beat his men at a game of cricket, in which case he'll lift taxes on the entire province for a period of three years. Bhuvan accepts the challenge, but there's a problem -- no one in Champaner knows how to play cricket. A band of misfits come to the rescue, coached by Russell's soft-hearted sister Elizabeth (Rachel Shelley), and the race is on to be ready in three months' time. An epic reworking of Victory with eye-popping song-and-dance routines.
15 Jun 2001
Hindi, English, Awadhi, Urdu
Some material may not be suitable for children. Parents urged to give "parental guidance". May contain some material parents might not like for their young children.
Ashutosh Gowariker
Ashutosh Gowariker (story), Ashutosh Gowariker (screenplay), Kumar Dave (screenplay), Sanjay Dayma (screenplay), K.P. Saxena (dialogue)
Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne
This is the story about the resilience shown by the Indians when they were under the British Rule. They are already taxed to the bone by the British and their cronies, but when Jack Russell announces that he will double the Lagaan (tax) from all villagers, they decide to oppose it. Leading the villagers is a handsome young man named Bhuvan, who challenges them to a game of cricket, a game that is to be played by veteran British cricket players, versus villagers, including Bhuvan himself, who have never played this game before, and do not even know a bat from a piece of wood. As the challenge is accepted, the interest grows and attracts Indians from all over the region, as well as the British from all over the country - as everyone gathers to see the 'fair play' that the British will display against their counter-parts, who are aided by none other than the sister, Elizabeth, of Captain Rusell.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 44 wins & 19 nominations.
B4U Entertainment