Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)

The people of a small village in Victorian India stake their future on a game of cricket against their ruthless British rulers.

Director:

Ashutosh Gowariker

Writers:

Ashutosh Gowariker (story), Ashutosh Gowariker (screenplay)

Stars:

Aamir Khan, Raghuvir Yadav, Gracy Singh

Top Rated Movies #235 | Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 50 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Aamir Khan	...	Bhuvan
Gracy Singh	...	Gauri
Rachel Shelley	...	Elizabeth Russell
Paul Blackthorne	...	Captain Andrew Russell
Suhasini Mulay	...	Yashodamai
Kulbhushan Kharbanda	...	Rajah Puran Singh
Raghuvir Yadav	...	Bhura (as Raghuveer Yadav)
Rajendra Gupta	...	Mukhiya
Rajesh Vivek	...	Guran
Shri Vallabh Vyas	...	Ishwar (as Sri Vallabh Vyas)
Javed Khan	...	Ram Singh
Raj Zutshi	...	Ismail
Akhilendra Mishra	...	Arjan
Daya Shankar Pandey	...	Goli
Yashpal Sharma	...	Lakha

Storyline

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

british | based on supposedly true story | cricket the sport | indian freedom movement | british raj | 

---

Taglines:

Once upon a time in India

---

Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Musical | Sport

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Aamir Khan Productions / indiatimes (warning: opens a big window, flash only) Aamir Khan Productions [India] (English)

Country:

India

Language:

Hindi English Awadhi Urdu

Release Date:

15 June 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Taxation: Once Upon a Time in India

Filming Locations:

Bhuj, Gujarat, India

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$285,368, 17 June 2001

Gross USA:

$909,043

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,724,806

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aamir Khan Productions, Jhamu Sughand Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

224 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A comic book, Lagaan: The Story, along with two colouring books, a mask book and a cricket board game were subsequently released to the commercial market. The comic book, available in English and Hindi, was targeted at children between the ages of six and 14. At the book's launch, Aamir Khan said that they were keen to turn the film into a comic strip during the pre-production phase itself.

---

Goofs

When Ismail got out as Tipu was run-out by the bowler, there is actual an omission of 1 ball. Before that, they needed 30 runs off 18 balls, after which they take 2 runs in the next ball and then Tipu gets run out, but that ball shouldn't be counted as it wasn't bowled.

---

Quotes

Gauri: You think I don't see which way the Ganges is flowing?
Bhuvan: Oh, pity me, I feel the pain of the scorpion's sting. You're jealous!
Gauri: [gasps] Why should I be jealous? Jealousy is beneath me.
Bhuvan: You're jealous, and I know who you're jealous of.
Gauri: I never want to see you again, and don't even try and talk to me.

---

Connections

References Seven Samurai (1954)

---

Soundtracks

Waltz for a Romance
Music by A.R. Rahman

User Reviews

Lagaan Once Upon A Time In India

This movie not only opened my eyes to the beatuies of india but also the hearts of India. I fell in love with this movie at once and I feel very close to all of the characters I know them and feel for them. The dancing and singing made my heart pound and my heart overwhelmed by the matchless beauty and I was imagining myself following along with Gauri. I love this story and I could watch it daily and never tire of the beauty it holds. I have always loved indian people and the culture which they live, I am American and have never visited India,soon I will visit in person and dreams of going there will no longer tug at me . I hope to one day perform the dances as well as those in the movie. I really loved that in the movie the characters were faced with such hardship but somehow they were of cheer and sang together and lifted one anothers spirits.I love this movie some may tire of its length but I wish it would continue forever. I want to be a part of it.