Lagaan

Infobox Film
name = Lagaan

---

image_size =
caption = Once Upon a Time in India
director = Ashutosh Gowariker
producer = Aamir Khan
Jhamu Sughand
writer = Screenplay: Kumar Dave
Sanjay Dayma
Ashutosh Gowariker Original Story: Ashutosh Gowariker Dialog: K. P. Saxena
narrator =
starring = Aamir Khan
Gracy Singh
Rachel Shelley
Paul Blackthorne
music = A. R. Rahman
cinematography = Anil Mehta
editing = Ballu Saluja
distributor = Aamir Khan Productions
Sony Pictures Classics
Columbia Tristar
released = June 15, 2001cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=lagaan.htm|title=Lagaan (2001): International Box-Office Results|work= [http://www.boxofficemojo.com Box Office Mojo] ]
flagicon|India flagicon|UK flagicon|USA
runtime = 224 min
country = flagicon|India India
language = Hindi
English
Bhojpuri
budget = Rs. 250 millioncite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010601/edit.htm#7|title=Aamir Khan causes traffic jam|work= [http://www.tribuneindia.com Tribune India] |date=2001-06-01 |accessdate=2008-01-20]
gross = Rs. 389 millioncite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=127&catName=MjAwMC0yMDA5&PHPSESSID=93afd92c876d7c91ccf0389e78441bb8|title= Top Earners 2000-2009|work= [http://www.boxofficeindia.com BoxOffice India.com] |accessdate=2008-01-20]
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website = http://www.lagaan.com
amg_id = 1:250526
imdb_id = 0282674

"Lagaan" (Bhojpuri/Hindi: लगान; Urdu: لگان; translation: Land tax), also known as "Lagaan: Once upon a time in India", is a Bollywood feature film made in India. It became the third Hindi language film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (after "Mother India" in 1957 and "Salaam Bombay!" in 1989). The film, based on an original story by Ashutosh Gowarikar, was also directed by him. It starred Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh in the lead pair with Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne and A. K. Hangal in supporting roles.

The movie is set in the Victorian period of the British Raj, and revolves around the peasants from a barren village who are oppressed by high taxes imposed by the British. When the peasants attempt to persuade the officers to reduce the taxes, the officers put forth a proposition to the peasants. One senior officer offers them to cancel their taxes for three years if their village team beats them at cricket. After accepting this proposition, the villagers face the arduous task of learning the game and playing for a result that will change their village's destiny.

The film received critical acclaim and awards at several international film festivals, as well as many Bollywood awards. Released on June 15, 2001 it became one of the biggest hits of the summer while its DVD sales is the highest ever for a Bollywood movie.

Plot

"Lagaan" is set in late 19th century India. Captain Andrew Russell (Paul Blackthorne), the commanding officer of a British cantonment, oppresses the people of Champaner with high taxes ("lagaan"). The local ruler, Rajah Pooran Singh (Kulbhushan Kharbanda), asks that taxes be lowered to ease the suffering of the drought-stricken villagers. Captain Russell humiliates the Rajah by asking him to eat meat if he wishes the taxes to be lowered. The Rajah, a vegetarian by religion, says that he must keep the rules of his religion and his caste; he cannot eat meat. Captain Russell then doubles the taxes.

The peasants, who are already suffering from a prolonged drought, are devastated by this news. The monsoon is late; they will be unable to pay regular taxes, much less double taxes. They beg the Rajah to help them, but he says he cannot persuade the British to mercy.

The villagers, returning from their fruitless audience with the rajah, stop to watch the British officers playing cricket. Captain Russell notices them and sees the young, impetuous Bhuvan (Aamir Khan), who has previously angered him. The captain offers to cancel the taxes of the whole province for three years if the villagers can beat his men at cricket. If they lose, they will owe triple tax. To the horror of the other villagers, Bhuvan accepts this wager on their behalf. Later, he explains that as they can pay neither double nor triple taxes, they should grab the chance for a tax remission.

Nonetheless, the villagers of Champaner, and of all the neighboring villages, are furious with Bhuvan. No one has ever played cricket. How can complete novices beat the British?

Upon learning of Captain Russell’s wager, his superiors in the British Army admonish him for his arrogant and irresponsible behavior. They tell him that if he loses the match, he will have to reimburse all the taxes from his own pocket and moreover suffer a transfer to East Africa.

Led by the courageous Bhuvan and helped by Russell’s good-hearted sister Elizabeth (Rachel Shelley), a few villagers begin to learn cricket. As time progresses, more and more villagers are convinced to join Bhuvan's team. The villagers have eccentric self-styled techniques - Goli swings his arms many times before releasing the ball, while Bhura, the chicken farmer, organises fielding training for the other villagers by having them attempt to catch his hens.

As they spend time together, Elizabeth falls in love with Bhuvan, who is himself attached to a charming local girl, Gauri (Gracy Singh). Though Bhuvan feels nothing but respect for Elizabeth and Elizabeth never expresses her feelings, Gauri sees how matters stand and is anxious until Bhuvan declares his love. This infuriates the woodcutter Lakha, who had hoped to win Gauri himself.

Lakha decides to humble Bhuvan by forcing him to lose the match. Lakha joins the team, but secretly meets with Captain Russell, informing him of everything that is happening. The captain tries to prevent his sister from helping the villagers, but she defies him.

In the end, Bhuvan has only ten players, one less than the eleven needed for a cricket team. Bhuvan finds his final player by chance, after the village cripple and untouchable Kachra inadvertently demonstrates his ability to bowl leg spin while returning the ball to the players. However, the village head and other members of the team threaten to quit the team, refusing to play with an untouchable. Bhuvan responds with an impassioned speech in front of the village, chastising everyone for their discrimination, after which they agree to allow Kachra to take his place in the team.

On the first day of the match, large numbers of villagers, many from outlying areas, have come to watch the eagerly awaited match. Members of the British leadership in India are also present, and the match is umpired by two Britons based in Kanpur (spelled "Cawnpore" before 1948).

Captain Russell wins the toss and elects to bat. The British officers make a strong start, and put on more than fifty runs before Lieutenant Smith, Captain Russell's deputy, is run out by Bhura after a mix-up. Goli then quickly follows up by bowling out one of the British officers, who are unable to pick up his multiple swing bowling action and repeatedly miss the ball. Captain Russell then attempts to convince the umpires to ban Goli's bowling because of the multiple swinging of the arm, but Elizabeth runs onto the field and points out there is nothing in the laws of cricket that prohibits this, much to her brother's chagrin. However, Captain Russell detects that Goli grunts immediately before releasing the ball, allowing the officers to detect his deliveries. After that, Russell and his partner easily dispatch his bowling.

Bhuvan brings on his trump card, Kachra, who has been spinning his leg break significantly during practice. However, Kachra's spin deserts him and he concedes a lot of runs. During the first day, Lakha, the Indians' best fielder, deliberately drops many catches and at the end of play, the British batsmen are in a strong position. That night, Elizabeth sees Lakha travelling to the British camp to meet her brother and she informs Bhuvan. The villagers attempt to kill Lakha on the spot but Bhuvan offers Lakha one last chance.

The next day, the British continue to play with ease against the Indians, and are only three wickets with almost 300 runs, at the lunch break, with Russell confidently predicting to his superiors that they will reach 600. However, Lakha takes a diving one-handed catch which sparks the British batting collapse. Kachra is brought back to bowl, and rediscovers his ability to spin the ball and takes a hat trick, bowling one of the officers around his legs with a leg break that spun more than a meter. Captain Russell reaches his century before being dismissed by Bhuvan, who gives him a send-off. The eccentric village mystic, Guran, gets in on the act. After one batsman repeatedly charges many meters out of the crease to hit his balls, he deliberately bowls a full toss way over the batsman's head, with the wicket keeper Ishwar (who is Gauri's father) stumping the batsman. The officers are bowled out after losing their last seven wickets for less than fifty runs. The Indians start the run chase strongly, with Bhuvan and Deva Singh Sodhi, a former Sikh sepoy, opening the batting and put on seventy-odd runs. However, a straight drive from Bhuvan deflects off the hands of Lieutenant Smith, the bowler, onto the stumps, with Deva backing up too far and being run out. The Indians then lose a sequence of quick wickets. When Lakha comes into bat, Russell orders his fastest bowler Yardley to knock Lakha's head off. Yardley then bowls a beamer which hits Lakha directly in the temple. Lakha is concussed and falls onto the stumps and is given out hit wicket anyway. Guran briefly launches a counter-attack which his unusual repertoire of shots, while engaging in sledging against the bowlers. Eventually he is dismissed and the team suffers another injury when Ishmail is forced to retire hurt after being struck on the foot by a yorker. At the end of the day's play, more than half the team is out and the team has scored less than half of the required runs.

The final day starts well for the Indians, with Bhuvan and the wicket keeper Ishwar batting steadily. However, not-so-young Ishwar begins to tire, and is run out after trying to run for an extra run. Bhuvan blames himself for pushing Ishwar's fitness too hard. Ismail returns to the crease after the umpires allow the village boy Tipu to act as a runner. Bhuvan passes his century and Ismail his fifty as the Indians seize control of the match. However, Smith has another trick up his sleeve and as he is about to bowl to Bhuvan, he stops. The unsuspecting Tipu continues walking out of his crease and is run out.

As a result, the match turns again, with runs still needed, and the last batsman to enter the crease is Kachra, whose disability means he cannot hold the bat properly. However, the English bowlers repeatedly miss the stumps while Bhuvan continues to score. The match comes down to the last over. Bhuvan is struck on the head with a bouncer and eventually, Kachra needs to strike a six out of playing arena from the last ball of the match. With his disability, he can only knock the ball a short distance and the Indians manage only a single. Bhuvan and the Indian camp are distraught, while the British are jubilant. Nobody however, has heard the umpire signal no ball. Thus, Yardley has bowl the last ball again. Bhuvan swings extremely hard with a pull shot, that goes very high up into the air off a top edge. Captain Russell backpedals at long on, and the ball finally descends into his hands after an eternity and Bhuvan is caught. He then turns around to the British officials sitting under the marquee, and roars in celebration, while the whole stadium is still silent, yet to comprehend what has happened. The British contingent are unimpressed by Russell's antics, and when he looks down at his feet, he finally realises that he has backpedalled too far and was beyond the boundary of the playing area when he caught the ball. Bhuvan's shot has scored six runs, securing a one wicket win for the Indians. The crowd then spontaneously erupts and invades the field, chairing Bhuvan off the field. Suddenly, dark clouds form out of a hitherto cloudless sky, and the drought breaks.

After the match, the British high command orders that the cantonment at Champaner be disbanded in humiliation at losing to the Indians. The narrator closes the story by reporting that Russell is transferred to East Africa and Elizabeth returns back to London, and remains unmarried for the rest of her life, remembering Bhuvan, who marries Gauri.

Cast

* Aamir Khan as Bhuvan. Ashutosh first thought of having Shahrukh Khan and Abhishek Bachchan for the role of "Bhuvan". Khan suggested the name of Aamir for the role, while Bachchan chose to enter cinema with J. P. Dutta's "Refugee" (2000). It was only after this that Aamir was approached with the idea.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/aug/27ashu.htm|last=Khubchandani|first=Lata|title='I approached Shah Rukh and Abhishek for Lagaan'|publisher=Rediff.com|date=2001-08-27|accessdate=2007-12-28]
* Gracy Singh as Gauri. Several actresses had offered to act in the film, but Aamir needed someone who matched the description of the character given in the script. After considering Sonali Bendre, Nandita Das and Rani Mukerji for the role,cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jun/01lagaan.htm|last=Verma|first=Sukanya|title=Lagaan: A ready reckoner|publisher=Rediff.com|date=2001-06-01|accessdate=2007-12-28] Ashutosh selected Gracy Singh for the female lead because he was convinced that she was a good actress and dancer. Gracy, a newcomer, devoted all her time to the film, and according to Khan, was an added plus to the debutant producer.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/feb/21aamir1.htm|title='Many top heroines had offered to work in this film'|publisher=Rediff.com|date=2000-02-21|accessdate=2007-12-28]
* Rachel Shelley as Elizabeth Russell.
* Paul Blackthorne as Captain Andrew Russell. Since the script also demanded a British cast, Ashutosh and Aamir hired Danielle Roffecite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0169102/fullcredits|title=Lagaan (2001): Full credits|publisher=IMDB|accessdate=2007-12-28] as one of the casting directors. After Danielle and Ashutosh screen-tested many, Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne were chosen for the prime roles. Overall, the film cast 15 foreign actors.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/feb/14lag.htm|title=Where time stands still...|last=Pandya|first=Haresh|publisher=Rediff.com|date=2000-02-14|accessdate=2007-12-28]
* Suhasini Mulay as Yashodamai.
* Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Raja Puran Singh.
* Raghuvir Yadav as Bhura, the poultry farmer. Yadav was selected based on his performance in "Earth" (1998). He had undergone an appendicectomy operation in-between the filming schedule and returned to complete some of his scenes.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jun/27lag9.htm|title=Bhura, the poultry farmer: The Ten Samurai|publisher=Rediff.com|accessdate=2007-12-29]
* Rajesh Vivek as Guran, the fortune teller. Vivek was spotted by Ashutosh in the film "Junoon" (1978). His liking for cricket helped him in his role.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jun/27lag7.htm|title=Guran, the fortune teller: The Ten Samurai|publisher=Rediff.com|accessdate=2007-12-29]
* Raj Zutshi as Ismail, the potter. Zutshi's friendship with Aamir and association in several films brought him the role of "Ismail" after the auditions.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jun/27lag10.htm|title=Ismail, the potter: The Ten Samurai|publisher=Rediff.com|accessdate=2007-12-29]
* Pradeep Rawat as Deva, the Sikh from the neighboring village. Rawat's association with Aamir in "Sarfarosh" (1999) brought him the role of "Deva", which was initially intended for Mukesh Rishi. Rawat claimed that it was the highest ever compensation he received in his career.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jun/27lag5.htm|title=Deva, the Sikh from the neighboring village: The Ten Samurai|publisher=Rediff.com|accessdate=2007-12-29]
* Daya Shankar Pandey as Goli, the man with the largest piece of land. Pandey, who preferred the role of "Kachra", was known to Aamir and Ashutosh through previous films ("Pehla Nasha" (1993), "Baazi" (1995) and "Ghulam" (1998)). After successfully auditioning for the role, Ashutosh and he used to discuss the required emotions and expressions. Pandey credited Ashutosh for his acting in the film.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jun/27lag4.htm|title=Goli, the man with the largest piece of land: The Ten Samurai|publisher=Rediff.com|accessdate=2007-12-29]
* Shri Vallabh Vyas as Ishwar, the "vaidya" (doctor) in the village and Gauri's father.
* Yashpal Sharma as Lakha, the woodcutter. Sharma was chosen by Ashutosh after his portrayal in "Samar" (1999). He said it was a good experience working with Aamir and Ashutosh during the film.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jun/27lag6.htm|title=Lakha, the woodcutter: The Ten Samurai|publisher=Rediff.com|accessdate=2007-12-29]
* Amin Hajee as Bagha, the mute. Hajee earlier worked in a film with Ashutosh. The friendly association soon brought Ashutosh to him with the script, which he liked, and thereafter he successfully auditioned for his role. His knowledge of mute people and some assistance from a music band helped him better prepare for his role. Ashutosh, who believed that Amin was like Sylvester Stallone, used to fondly refer to him as Stallone during the shots.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jun/27lag1.htm|title=Bagha, the mute: The Ten Samurai|publisher=Rediff.com|accessdate=2007-12-29]
* Aditya Lakhia as Kachra, the untouchable. Lakhia's association with Ashutosh in "Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa" (1993) and "Pehla Nasha" (1993) brought him this role. He read the book "Everyone Loves a Good Drought" by P. Sainath to better understand and portray his character. To get the distinct tanned look of the respective characters, the cast were asked to lie down under the sun.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jun/27lag2.htm|title=Kachra, the untouchable: The Ten Samurai|publisher=Rediff.com|accessdate=2007-12-29]
* A. K. Hangal as Shambukaka
* Akhilendra Mishra as Arjan, the blacksmith
* Ben Nealon as Lt. Patrick Smith
* John Rowe as Major Boyle
* David Gant as Major Warren
* Jeremy Child as Major Cotton

Developments

Pre-production

Director Ashutosh Gowariker once said that it was almost impossible to make "Lagaan". When he first put forth the idea of the film to Aamir Khan, Khan not only refused to act in it but also tried to dissuade Gowariker from making it. Even after Aamir agreed to act, after hearing the narration of a detailed script, Ashutosh had trouble finding a producer. Those who showed interest in the script wanted budget cuts as well as script modifications. Eventually, Aamir agreed to Ashutosh's suggestion that he'd produce the film.cite web|last=Nandy|first=Pritish|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jul/17ash.htm|title=The Ashutosh Gowariker interview|publisher=Rediff.com|date=2001-07-17 |accessdate=2007-12-28] Aamir corroborated this by saying that the faith he had in Ashutosh, the story and script of the film,cite web|last=Pandya|first=Haresh|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/feb/21aamir.htm|title='A true actor can play any role'|publisher=Rediff.com|date=2000-02-21|accessdate=2007-12-28] and the opportunity of starting his own production companycite web|last=Mukherjee|first=Sanjeeb|url=http://www.the-south-asian.com/July2001/Aamir%20Khan-Lagaan.htm|title=Aamir Khan on 'Lagaan' - the surprise of the year!|publisher=Rediff.com|month=July|year=2001|accessdate=2007-12-28] inspired him to produce "Lagaan". He also said that by being a producer himself, he was able to give greater creative freedom to Ashutosh. He cited an example: "If the director tells the producer that he wants 50 camels, the latter will probably say, "Why not 25? Can't you manage with 25 camels?" Whereas, if he is telling me the same thing ... I will not waste time asking him questions because I am also creatively aware why he needs them." Jhamu Sughand co-produced the film because he liked the emotional and patriotic story very much.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/feb/13lg1.htm|title='I'm sure Lagaan will win the Oscar'|publisher=Rediff.com|last=Kulkarni|first=Ronjita|accessdate=2007-12-29]

Location, language and costumes

work= [http://www.rediff.com Rediff] |last=Das|first=Ronjita]

"Avadhi", which is a dialect of Hindi, is primarily from a region in Uttar Pradesh. This was chosen to give the feel of the language spoken during that era. However, the language was diluted so that the common man could understand it. The dialogues, which were a combination of three different dialects: Avadhi, Bhojpuri and Brajbhasha were penned by noted Hindi writer, K. P. Saxena.

Bhanu Athaiya, an Oscar winner for Gandhi, was the costume designer for the film. With a large number of extras used in the film, it was a challenge for the designer to make enough costumes. She spent a lot of time researching to lend authenticity to the characters of the film.

Production

After pre-planning for a year, including ten months for production issues and two months for his character, Aamir was a tired man. A first-time producer, he managed a crew of about 300 people for six months. With a good hotel lacking in Bhuj, they hired a newly constructed apartment and furnished it completely for the crew. Security was set up and a special housekeeping team was brought to take care of the crew's needs.

Most of the ancient tools and equipment depicted in the movie were lent to the crew by the local villagers. Initially, they did not want to part with their equipment, but after much coaxing, they gave in. However, they traveled to different parts of the country to collect the musical instruments used in that day and era.

During the shooting, Ashutosh suffered from a slipped disc and had to rest for 15 days. However during this period, he had his bed next to the monitor and continued with his work.cite web|url=http://lagaan.indiatimes.com/interviews-gracy.html|last=Koppar|first=Arati|title=Gracy Singh: Interview|publisher=Indiatimes.com|accessdate=2007-12-28]

The filming schedule was spread across the winter and summer seasons commencing early January and finishing in mid-June. This was physically challenging to many with the temperatures ranging from 0 - 50 degrees Celsius. Throughout the shoot, the actors had to hydrate themselves and sit in the shade. The schedule was strict. The day began at 6 A.M., getting dressed up and getting into the actors' bus, which took them to the sets in Kanuria. All the actors, including Aamir, travelled on that bus. If anyone missed the bus, it was up to them to reach the sets. One day, Aamir was late and missed the actors' bus that took them to the sets. That day, his wife Reena, the executive producer, reprimanded him for being late. She told him he had to set an example for the rest of the crew. "If he started coming late, how could she tell the others to come on time?" While on the sets, the actors were given call sheets with the day's timetable such as breakfast, hair styling, make-up, costumes, etc.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jun/27lag3.htm|title=Arjan, the blacksmith: The Ten Samurai|publisher=Rediff.com|accessdate=2007-12-29]

Release and reception

Much before its worldwide release, Aamir Khan had screened the film for the locals of Bhuj, as promised.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010613/edit.htm#6|title=Aamir Khan screens ‘Lagaan’ at Bhuj|date=2001-06-13|work= [http://www.tribuneindia.com The Tribune] ]

Screenings at film festivals

In 2001, "Lagaan" had a world premiere at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) weekend in Sun City, South Africa.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://www.iifa.com/web07/showcase/2001.htm|title=Showcase IIFA 2001 - Sun City] The Locarno International Film Festival authorities published the rules of cricket before the film was screened to an crowd which was reported to be dancing to its soundtrack in the aisles.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-13|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1995005502.cms|title=LAGAAN scores a six!|last=Da Cunha|first=Uma|date=2001-08-21|work= [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com The Times of India] ] "Lagaan" was shown four times due to public demand as against the usual norm of showcasing films once at the festival.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-13|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/aug/13lag.htm|title=Lagaan wins top honours at Swiss film festival|last=Jha|first=Subhash K|date=2001-08-13|work= [http://www.rediff.com Rediff] ] It subsequently won the "Prix du Public" award at the festival.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117860289.html?categoryid=13&cs=1|title=SPC googly for 'Lagaan'|last=Lyons|first=Charles|date=2002-02-05|work= [http://www.variety.com Variety] ] After the film's publicity in Locarno, the director, Ashutosh Gowarikar said that distributors from Switzerland, Italy, France, Netherlands, North Africa, Finland and Germany were wanting to purchase the distribution rights. Special screenings were held in Russia, where people were keen on watching the film after its Oscar nomination.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/8614223.cms|title=Russia calling, Bollywood answering!|last=Times News Network|first=|date=2002-05-02|work= [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com The Times of India] ]

It shared the "Best Film" prize at the Portland International Film Festival,cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://www.nwfilm.org/archives/piff/25/index.html|title=Portland International Film Festival 2002] won the "Audience Award" at the Leeds International Film Festivalcite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1602604.stm|title=Indian film scoops top Leeds award|date=2001-10-16|work= [http://www.bbc.com BBC] ] and the "The Norwegian Film Institute's award" at the Bergen International Film Festival.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://www.biff.no/2001/index.php3?ID3=Eng|title=Bergen International Film Festival] Apart from these screenings, it was also screened at the Sundance Film Festival,cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1602604.stm|title= Memorable flicks that made it big|date=2001-12-28|work= [http://www.hindu.com The Hindu] |last=Ramnarayan|first=Gowri] Cairo International Film Festival,cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2002/609/cu8.htm|title=Cairo Film Festival Programme|work= [http://weekly.ahram.org.eg Al-Ahram Weekly] ] Stockholm International Film Festival,cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://www.stockholmfilmfestival.se/en/om_oss/history|title=History - Stockholm International Film Festival|work= [http://www.stockholmfilmfestival.se Stockholm International Film Festival] ] Helsinki International Film Festivalcite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://2002.hiff.fi/elokuvat/elokuva.html?elokuva_id=80|title=Helsinki International Film Festival|work= [http://www.hiff.fi Helsinki International Film Festival] ] and the Toronto Film Festival.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/11562265.cms|title=Spidey neighbourhood asks for Lagaan|date=2002-05-31|work= [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com The Times of India] |last=Tsering|first=Lisa]

Commercial release

The film made it to the U. K. Top 10 after its commercial release.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/entertainment/movies/2001_07/27/lagaan_report.shtml |title=BBC - Leicester - Movies - Lagaan|date=2001-07-26|work= [http://www.bbc.com BBC] ] The film, which was the first Indian film to have a nationwide release in China,,cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021121/world.htm#4|title=“Lagaan” released in China|date=2002-11-20|work= [http://tribuneindia.com Tribune India] |work=Press Trust of India] had its dubbed version released in Italy. With favorable reviews from the French press, the movie premiered in Paris on June 26, 2002 and continued to have an unprecedented nine weeks of screening with over 45,000 people watching the movie.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/19340781.cms|title=Lagaan a big hit in France|date=2002-08-17|work= [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com The Times of India] |last=Indo-Asian News Service|first=] It also released in United States, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Africa and the Middle East with respective vernacular subtitles.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/may/30aamir.htm |title=Aamir has NY in a jam|date=2001-05-30|work= [http://www.rediff.com Rediff] ]

The film garnered a cumulative of $2.5 million at the international box-officecite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020326/main3.htm|title=‘Lagaan’ loses to ‘No Man’s Land’|work=UNI, PTI] and Rs. 38 crores at the domestic box-office.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-12|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=127&catName=MjAwMC0yMDA5|title= Top Earners 2000-2009|work= [http://www.boxofficeindia.com Box Office India] ]

Reviews

Derek Elley of "Variety" said that the film "could be the trigger for Bollywood's long-awaited crossover to non-ethnic markets". About the story, he says that it "never drags, thanks almost entirely to its warm, very human feel and -- in Bollywood terms -- believable characters." About cricket which was not native to United States, he said that "the device of having a local explain the game to the assembled Indian audience cleverly gets round the problem of elucidating the mysteries of cricket for territories where it isn't played."cite news|accessdate=2008-01-13|url=http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117798541.html?categoryid=31&cs=1|title=Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India Review|date=2001-07-19|work= [http://www.variety.com Variety] |last=Elley|first=Derek] About the film, The New York Times said that it was "a carnivalesque genre packed with romance, swordplay and improbable song-and-dance routines"cite news|accessdate=2008-01-13|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E0DF173AF932A05750C0A9649C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2|title= The World: Bollywood Dreams; A Movie Recalls India to Its Ideals|date=2002-03-31|work= [http://www.nytimes.com The New York Times] |last=Sengupta|first=Somini] Roger Ebert wrote in his review of the film:

"Lagaan" is an enormously entertaining movie, like nothing we've ever seen before, and yet completely familiar. This film is like nothing they've seen before, with its startling landscapes, architecture and locations, its exuberant colors, its sudden and joyous musical numbers right in the middle of dramatic scenes, and its melodramatic acting (teeth gnash, tears well, lips tremble, bosoms heave, fists clench). At the same time, it's a memory of the films we all grew up on, with clearly defined villains and heroes, a romantic triangle, and even a comic character who saves the day. "Lagaan" is a well-crafted, hugely entertaining epic that has the spice of a foreign culture.cite web |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20020607/REVIEWS/206070305/1023 |title=Reviews: "Lagaan" - Once upon a time in India |accessdate=2008-01-13|date=2002-06-07|author=Ebert, Roger|publisher=Chicago "Sun-Times"]

A review from The Guardian said that "Lagaan" is a lavish epic, a gorgeous love story, and a rollicking adventure yarn. Larger than life and outrageously enjoyable, it's got a dash of spaghetti western, a hint of Kurosawa, with a bracing shot of Kipling."cite news|accessdate=2008-01-13|url=http://film.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/Critic_Review/Guardian_review/0,,510677,00.html|title= Film Reviews: Lagaan|date=2001-06-22|work= [http://www.guardian.co.uk The Guardian, UK] |last=Bradshaw|first=Peter] About the film, The BBC said "Lagaan" is anything but standard Bollywood fodder, and is the first must-see of the Indian summer. A movie that will have you laughing and crying, but leaving with a smile."cite news|accessdate=2008-01-13|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/06/18/lagaan_2001_review.shtml|title= Film Review: Lagaan (Tax) (2001)|date=2001-06-18|work= [http://www.bbc.co.uk BBC] |last=Singh|first=Kuljinder] The review also added that the "director Ashutosh Gowariker captures the beauty and simplicity of rural life in India at the turn of the century." Los Angeles Times wrote that the film was "an affectionate homage to a popular genre that raises it to the level of an art film with fully drawn characters, a serious underlying theme, and a sophisticated style and point of view."cite news|accessdate=2008-01-13|url=http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-movie000033006may10,0,6839824.story|title= Movie Review: 'Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India'|date=2002-05-10|work= [http://www.calendarlive.com The Los Angeles Times: Calendar Live] |last=Thomas|first=Kevin] The review added by saying that "Lagaan" masterfully integrates song and drama into a sophisticated but lengthy tale of injustice."

A medley of many such reviews on Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a approval rating of 95%.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-13|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lagaan/|title=Lagaan - Rotten Tomatoes|work= [http://www.rottentomatoes.com Rotten Tomatoes] ]

A review from The Hindu wrote that "the movie is not just a story. It is an experience. An experience of watching something that puts life into you, that puts a cheer on your face, however depressed you might be."cite news|accessdate=2008-01-13|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/06/29/stories/0929022j.htm|title= Scoring sixers with every scene|date=2001-06-29|work= [http://www.hindu.com The Hindu] |last=Kamath|first=Sudhish] The Times of India wrote that "Lagaan" has all the attractions of big-sounding A. R. Rehman songs, excellent performances by Aamir Khan [..] and a successful debut for pretty Gracy Singh. In addition, there is the celebrated David vs Goliath cricket match, which has audiences screaming and clapping."cite news|accessdate=2008-01-13|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1796672357.cms|title= Film-hungry fans lap up Gadar, Lagaan fare|date=2001-06-28|work= [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com The Times of India] ] An Indian entertainment portal in its review said that "the film has many brownie points. A R Rahman's music, Anil Mehta's cinematography (even though some obtrusions to the eyes exist in the many jerky pans), Bhanu Athaiya's costumes and Nakul Kamte's sound."cite news|accessdate=2008-01-13|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jun/15lagaan.htm|title= Lagaan: The Review|date=2001-06-15|work= [http://www.rediff.com Rediff] |last=Menon|first=Sita] About the performances, it said that "though as an artiste, Gracy could do well with less of her eager facial contortions and hone her admittedly good enunciation and emoting to perfection." About the rest of the cast, "Raghuveer Yadav as Bura, the poultry owner, and Yashpal Sharma as the village baddie, stand out." It, however, attributed the film with a poor script by saying "what is one to say about a film which exhausts its plot in the first two hours and 40 minutes, and devotes an hour to a cricket match?"

Awards

Apart from winning several awards at the film festivals, "Lagaan" won several Bollywood awards.

In 2002, it won Filmfare Awards for the music director, lyricist, male singer (Udit Narayan for "Mitwa"), female singer (Alka Yagnik for "O Rey Chhori"), story, lead actor, director and for the film.cite web|url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20020217-0.html|title=Lagaan walks away with eight Filmfare awards|date=2002-02-17|accessdate=2008-01-13|work=Apunkachoice.com] In the same year's IIFA Awards, it won the best music director, best female singer (Asha Bhosle for "Radha Kaise Na Jale"), best actor, best director and the best film awards in the ceremony held in Malaysia.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1915331.stm|title=Lagaan scoops Bollywood awards|date=2002-04-06|accessdate=2008-01-13|work=BBC] It won the National Film Awards for art direction, costume design, audiography, lyrics, male singer (Udit Narayan for "Mitwa"), music director and the film for providing wholesome entertainmentcite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/07/27/stories/2002072702950100.htm|title= South takes the lion's share; `Lagaan' wins 8 national awards|date=2002-07-27|accessdate=2008-01-13|work=The Hindu] Apart from these major awards, it also won awards in the Star Screen Awards and Zee Cine Awards ceremonies.

Apart from being a nominee at the 74th Academy Awards, it was also a nominee for the "Screen International Award" at the 2002 European Film Awards.cite web|url=http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/250526/Lagaan-Once-Upon-a-Time-in-India/details|title=Lagaan: Once Upon a Time In India (2001)|accessdate=2008-01-13|work=The New York Times] Besides these, it was also nominated for several Bollywood awards.

The Oscar nomination

Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker, went to Los Angeles to generate publicity for the Academy Awards. Khan said, "We just started showing it to whoever we could, even the hotel staff."cite news|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/2002/2002-03-08-bollywood.htm|title=Hooray for Bollywood, and India's 'Lagaan'|date=2002-03-08|work= [http://www.usatoday.com USA Today] |last=Wloszczyna|first=Susan] About India's official entry to the 2002 Oscars, British daily, The Telegraph said, "A Bollywood film that portrays the British in India as ruthless sadists and Mafia-style crooks has been chosen as Delhi's official entry to the Academy Awards in America."cite news|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2001/11/25/wbolly25.xml|title=Anti-British Indian film in chase for Oscar|date=2001-11-25|work= [http://www.telegraph.co.uk The Daily Telegraph] |last=Chris Hastings|first=Susan Bisset] It, however, added saying that the film was expected to win the nomination.

On February 12, 2002, "Lagaan" was nominated for the best foreign language film at the Academy Award nominations ceremony.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/12/aa.oscar.nominations/index.html|title='Rings' lords over Oscar with 13 nominations|date=2002-02-12|work= [http://www.cnn.com CNN] ] After the nomination, Khan reacted by saying, "To see the name of the film and actually hear it being nominated was very satisfying".cite news|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2002/03/03/stories/2002030300461600.htm|title= A `golden' push for Indian cinema|date=2002-03-03|work= [http://www.thehindubusinessline.com The Hindu Business Line] |last=Chandran|first=Rina]

Post-nomination reactions poured in from several parts of the world. USA Today said "Hooray for Bollywood, and India's "Lagaan". With Sony Pictures Classics distributing the film and Baz Luhrmann, director of award-winning Moulin Rouge!, raving about "Lagaan", it gave "Lagaan" a chance to win.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/9498427.cms|title=It’s Lagaan for Luhrmann|date=2002-05-10|work= [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com The Times of India] |last=Mahajan|first=Nupur] The BBC said, the nomination raises Bollywood hopes that Indian films will become more popular in the US.cite news|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1818660.stm|title=Bollywood's hopes for Oscar dollars|date=2002-02-13|work= [http://www.bbc.com BBC] ] While in India, the nomination was celebrated with news reports about a win bringing in "a great boost for the Indian film industry"cite news|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2002/02/15/stories/2002021501541100.htm|title=Lagaan lives on|date=2002-02-15|work= [http://www.thehindubusinessline.com The Hindu Business Line] |last=Murari|first=Timeri N.] and "a Bharat Ratna for Aamir Khan and the status of a ‘national film’ for Lagaan".cite news|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020223/windows/main1.htm|title=Lagaan's ultimate test|date=2002-02-23|work= [http://www.tribuneindia.com Tribune India] |last=Gangadhar|first=V.]

After No Man's Land won the Academy Award for the best foreign language film,cite news|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/25/aa.oscar.bosnia/index.html|title=Bosnian war film gets Oscar|date=2002-02-25|work= [http://www.cnn.com CNN] ] there was widespread disappointment in India. Aamir Khan said, "Certainly we were disappointed. But the thing that really kept us in our spirits was that the entire country was behind us".cite news|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/south_asia/1892792.stm|title=Indians mourn Oscar miss|date=2002-02-25|work= [http://www.bbc.com BBC] ]

There was criticism about the Oscars after the ceremony. One film maker, Mahesh Bhatt said that the "American film industry was insular and the foreign category awards were given just for the sake of it." Gowarikar added by saying, "Americans must learn to like our films".cite news|accessdate=2008-01-20|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6943297.cms|title=Americans must learn to like our films: Ashutosh|date=2002-04-15| work= [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com The Times of India] ]

Soundtrack and DVD

Infobox Album | Name = Lagaan: The Official Motion Picture Soundtrack
Type = Album


Released = April 6, 2001cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/apr/05lagaan.htm|title='Depressed? Listen to Mitwah!'|date=2001-04-05|accessdate=2008-01-13|last=Borah Tandon|first=Runima]
Genre = Feature film soundtrack
Length = 43:08
Composer = A. R. Rahman| Label = Aamir Khan Productions

Soundtrack

Los Angeles Times said that the "songs and dances are not mere interludes inserted in the action, bringing it to a halt--a Bollywood trademark--but are fully integrated into the plot and marked by expressive, dynamic singing and dancing that infuse a historical drama with energy and immediacy." A review of the tracks suggests that "the music is true to the time period (the British Raj)."cite web|url=http://www.planetbollywood.com/Music/Lagaan/index.html|title=Music Review: Lagaan|accessdate=2008-01-14|last=Khanna|first=Anish] Another review says that "A. R. Rahman is again at his prodigious best. His score for Aamir Khan’s period drama Lagaan is a delectable blend of Indian classical music, folk melodies and jazzy snazzy tunes."cite web|url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/music/alb55/|title=Lagaan: Music album review|accessdate=2008-01-14|last=K Deoshi|first=N]

DVD

There were two releases for the DVD. The first, as a 2-DVD set, was released on May 27, 2002 in limited regions. It contained subtitles in Arabic, English, Hebrew, Hindi, Turkish and several European languages. It is available in 16:9 Anamorphic widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, progressive 24 FPS, widescreen and NTSC format. It carried an additional fifteen minutes of deleted scenes, filmographies and trailers.cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lagaan-Aamir-Khan/dp/B00005U0JX|title=Amazon: Lagaan (2001) DVD|accessdate=2008-01-13|work=Amazon.com]

The second was released as anniversary edition three-disc DVD box after six years of the theatrical release. This also included "Chale Chalo" which was a documentary on the making of Lagaan, a curtain raiser on the making of the soundtrack, deleted scenes, trailers, along with other collectibles.cite web|url=http://www.lagaandvd.com|title=Lagaan Special Anniversary Edition 3-Disk DVD Set|accessdate=2008-01-13|work=Lagaan DVD] After its release, it became the highest selling DVD in India beating "Sholay" (1975).cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Lagaan-beats-Sholay-in-DVD-sales/206016/|title=Lagaan beats Sholay in DVD sales|date=2007-07-21|accessdate=2008-01-13|work=Financial Express]

Merchandise

The film had associated merchandise being sold commercially. In the anniversary DVD edition, a National Film Award winning documentary, "Chale Chalo - the lunacy of film making", 11 collector cards, a collectible "Lagaan" coin embossed with the character of "Bhuvan", a 35 mm cinemascope filmstrip hand-cut from the movie's filmstrip were bundled together with the film.

A comic book, "Lagaan: The Story", along with two coloring 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 for 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.cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/money/2002/feb/09lag.htm|title=Egmont unwraps Lagaan comic book, game for kids|date=2002-02-09|accessdate=2008-01-20|work= [http://www.rediff.com Rediff.com] |last=Fernandes|first=Vivek] cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/02/13/stories/2002021303070100.htm|title='Lagaan' nominated for Oscar |date=2002-02-13|accessdate=2008-01-20|work=Agence France-Presse]

The cricket bat which "Bhuvan" used for scoring the winning runs in the film, was auctioned for six million Pakistani rupees as a fund raiser for a cancer hospital in Lahore, Pakistan.cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041213/world.htm#5|title=‘Lagaan’ bat auctioned for Rs 6m|date=2004-12-12|accessdate=2008-01-20|work= [http://www.dawn.com DAWN] ]

References

Further reading

*Bhatkal, Satyajit. "The Spirit of Lagaan". Mumbai: Popular Prakashan, 1995. ISBN 81-7991-003-2.

External links

* [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lagaan Lagaan] on Rotten Tomatoes
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/06/18/lagaan_2001_review.shtml Review of "Lagaan"] from the BBC

###@@@KEY@@@###succession box
title=Filmfare Award for Best Film
years=2001
before="Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai"
कहो ना प्यार है
after= "Devdas"
देवदास