Lagaan - Once Upon a Time in India poster & wallpaper
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Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne, Suhasini Mulay ... see more see more... , Kulbhushan Kharbanda , Raghubir Yadav , Rajendra Gupta , Rajesh Vivek , Sri Vallabh Vyas , Javed Khan , Raj Zutshi , Akhilendra Mishra , Pradeep Sing Rawat , Daya Shankar Pandey , Yashpal Sharma , Amin Hajee , Aditya Lakhia , A.K. Hangal , John Rowe , David Gant , Jeremy Child , Ben Nealon , Anupam Shyam , Raja Awasthi , Pramatesh Mehta , Bhim Vakani , Amin Gazi , Anu Ansari , Parveen Bano , Chris England , Howard Lee , Simon Holmes , Ray Eves , Jon House , Neil Patrick Harris , Jamie Whitby Coles , Barry Hart , Alex Shirtcliff

One of the most expensive films ever to come out of Bollywood, Lagaan tells the tale of the Indian village Champaner, beset by drought and British colonialism in the year 1893. Without a drop of rain ... read more read more...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, Lagaan was a major cinematic event in India upon its release. ~ Connor McMadden, Rovi

Flixster Users

90% liked it

18,683 ratings

Critics

95% liked it

59 critics

PG, 3 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Ashutosh Gowariker

Release Date: June 15, 2001

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DVD Release Date: January 22, 2002

Stats: 1,220 reviews

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Aamir Khan Aamir Khan Lagaan Lagaan Amir Khan & Gracey Singh in "Lagaan" Lagaan - Once Upon a Time in India "Lagaan - Once Upon a Time in India"
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Flixster Reviews (1,220)

  • kpn666
    October 19, 2009
    kpn666
    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!
  • puffchunk
    March 10, 2008
    puffchunk
    Moulin Rouge ripped this movie off. Wasn't bad, I suppose, but I admit I wasn't paying much attention to it.
  • garyX
    July 14, 2007
    garyX
    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.
  • binky013
    July 10, 2007
    binky013
    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 : )
  • merillupin
    September 13, 2007
    merillupin
    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 ... read moreas languages). The musical numbers are particularly impressive.
  • mvieaddict
    July 10, 2009
    mvieaddict
    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 th... read moree 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
    September 6, 2006
    FanGirl
    I love Bollywood! Who else could make a 4 hour movie about a cricket game fun to watch? ;)
  • falcons84
    April 3, 2006
    falcons84
    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.
  • cmsmswest
    July 25, 2010
    cmsmswest
    An excellent film featuring Mr. Aamir Khan. I am not one who like singing and dancing in a movie (sometimes the theatrics take away from the plot or the central message), however "Once Upon A Time In India" met my expectation!
  • vasareewert
    September 9, 2009
    vasareewert
    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.

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Critic Reviews

Derek Elley
July 24, 2008
Derek Elley, Variety

An involving, easily digestible hunk of pure entertainment that could be the trigger for Bollywood's long-awaited crossover to non-ethnic markets. Full Review

Mark Peranson
March 26, 2007
Mark Peranson, Chicago Reader

Few recent American musicals are this fluid or engaging. Full Review

Monica Eng
July 20, 2002
Monica Eng, Chicago Tribune

After having seen this Cinemascope extravaganza in a theater, on DVD and video, I still think the big screen experience is worth it. Full Review

Joe Baltake
July 19, 2002
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

The most deliriously entertaining movie of the summer. Full Review

Roger Ebert
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

Richard Roeper
June 3, 2002
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

[I]t is long, but it never sags. Full Review

Edward Guthmann
May 31, 2002
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

A rippingly good, old-fashioned movie epic that takes the best of Bollywood cinema ... and elevates it for an international audience. Full Review

Susan Stark
May 31, 2002
Susan Stark, Detroit News

A one-stop shopping experience in the cinema of the subcontinent. Full Review

John Monaghan
May 31, 2002
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press

An old-fashioned crowd-pleaser that charms you into forgiving any of its shortcomings. Full Review

Glenn Lovell
May 30, 2002
Glenn Lovell, San Jose Mercury News

If you haven't sampled India's indigenous cinema, this is a great place to begin. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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