To me, this movie is perfection.

I wanted to but couldn't!

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Tone, Script & Story: In ancient India ruled by British, tax was collected from farmers residing in villages. In one of such villages Bhuvan resided, who challenged British officer that if Bhuvans team win's against British team in the game of cricket, the British would exempt them (villagers) from paying any tax for three years (tiguna lagaan). The other condition was in case of loss the Bhuvan's team wud required to pay dugna lagaan (twice). The movie takes us on further journey which include love, faith, deception, drama, team game, help and so on..The essence of India and its villages is captured really well. Every character acting has been carved well. It would have been an even more delicious treat, if I would have found out if the story was real, sadly it was not.What is common between the movies Dangal and Lagaan? Without taking time one would answer, they both contain Aamir. I would like to put, there's one more thing. It is the knowledge of game. They are wrestling and cricket. It's a treat when knowledge is imparted, along with entertainment.Direction, Screenplay, Cinematography: As discussed earlier, the mentioned factors capture well the essence of India. Music: Music is very good. Acting: Acting captures what is required by script from all leads.Final Verdict: It gives you a glimpse and essence of ancient India. It is worth adding to your collection.

That's funny. I always thought the reason of "Lagaan" continuous presence on IMDb Top 250 was due to its being "a little more than" your typical Bollywood movie, as if the opposite was a disqualifying parameter. I confess, from my slightly prejudiced perspective, I thought "Lagaan" was an empowering sports movie about the triumph of human spirit etc. but again, not the "typical" Hindi movie. But that would have been overlooking the subtitle: which goes straight to the point: Once Upon a Time in India. I guess if you set a story in India, you better tell it the "Indian way".So, the fact is: "Lagaan" IS your "typical" Bollywood movie, but that's not saying much as the director Ashutosh Gowariker finds that little extra push to elevate the film above the expectations of a national audience, thus delivering a story of universal appeal: something about the fight for dignity and justice, an underdog story with the same resonance as "Rocky", and told in an old-fashioned way with a despicable villain and a colorful gallery of challengers that goes from a handsome hero, a brute with a golden heart, a sneaky traitor, a comic relief etc. The film use many familiar elements from both Bolly and Hollywood's canon but the result is so enthralling, so exhilarating that it gets away with it.And take it from someone who's never been a fan of that Bollywood trope requiring that characters can break into singing and dancing in such a so well-choreographed act you wouldn't believe it's one of these spur-of-the-moment things. But the power of "Lagaan" is to know exactly what the audience longs, an emotional roller-coaster that includes singing and all dancing. There's such boldness in making a movie almost four hour longs by adding nothing that clearly advances the plot that even someone who's not familiar with Bollywood will understand that music isn't just an ornament, but as vital to the enjoyment as the rest. The film was long and riveting enough, but "Lagaan" primarily addresses its own audience and with such gusto that it widened its appeal to foreign audiences.But the story had a part to play in that success. Its premise alone is captivating: at the peak of the British Empire in India, an arrogant and racist Captain named Andrew Russel, commanding the province of Champenar, doubled the Lagaan tax to the villagers, who are already taxed to the bone. But with this new measure, they risk starvation and misery. Phillips (well-played by Paul Blackthorne) is no man to care for such considerations. And when the young and rebel villager named Bhuvan (Aamir Khan) goes with a few villagers to ask the local Rajah to intercede, the man with one foot in each world admits he's powerless. Russell spices up the situation, he challenges the villagers to beat them in cricket, a game Bhuvan called stupid, if they win, they won't pay Lagaan for three years, if they lose, they'll have to play triple Lagaan.When Bhuvan accepts, he faces a major uproar from the other villages of the provinces and before winning the game, there's a long process of winning the villagers' spirit and the process is crucial to reveal more about the characters and the setting. Meanwhile, Philips confronts his superiors and understands he'd rather win the game or he might pay the Lagaan from his own pocket. The dice are cast and we follow the training of villagers who never understood cricket, let alone played it. But it's not much in the game than the anticipation, to see these peasant trying to defy the British establishment, it's both funny like "The Full Monty" but many highly dramatic moments remind us that lives are at stakes and it's not just a game. The odds are worse but they've got to beat them.They are trying to win with what they have at hands and turning their flaws into tricks is the kind of inspirational material you expect from sport movie. One of the villagers is swift with slingshots, which earned him an ability to launch a ball so fast you literally don't see it coming, another one with a defect in his hand is able to make the ball spin, his status as a pariah allows a film to make a few comments about the caste system, to make sure there is an equivalent to British' ruthlessness. And to make up for the vileness of Captain his sister Elizabeth (Rachel Shelley), finding her brother's method cruel and unfair help the villagers, much to the displeasure of Gaury (Gracy Singh) in love with Aamir. There are many subplots in the movie and they swiftly overlap just like the many rules of that cricket game that you don't need to understand in order to enjoy the film.Each sub-story is bound to a specific emotion, there's romance, there's drama, comedy and tragedy, and at the climactic game, all these element come full circle together. And no matter how hard you expect the game to be, how many sports movie you've seen, no matter how firmly you anticipate that it will all comes down to one final blow, the film will still manage to surprise you. And that's the power of Lagaan that Ebert summed up very well, you enjoy it, you realize it's new and fresh although it's a very familiar material. You really enjoyed it. It is Bollywood but its appeals transcend the story.It has escapism, fun, colors, it's the kind of film, you can't say they don't make them anymore… well except maybe in Bollywood, the quintessential place for popular cinema. And it is an empowering sports drama about the triumph of human spirit.

I recommend this filmThe film has more positive than negative . The scénario is found and its history. The réalisateur shows us the injustice for British colonized India. It is interesting to make a film on this subject with cricket.For positives:I find that the main character has charisma : brave ; strong ; intelligent. I find lively music. The film is a mixture of drama , love and competition. In this film , we get attached to the different character with each character. Is the first film that i watch Bollywood.For negatives:The film is good but it is a bit too long. It is mostly in the middle of the film does not happen much and that they are boring... I liked the movie ends badly : that British win facing the people. It would have allowed us to understand the pain of the people who were colonized at the same time in 1893.In conclusion , i found this film good but with elements to change.

This is my First Review for a movie. Although I don't have much emotion and time to write a review I think this movie deserved to be known from the eyes of the biggest Fan. The movie is an Epic and I considered it as my top 5 favorite of all time.(The Godfather, The shawshank Redemption, The Dark Knight,Fight Club are other four.) The Movie is underrated because of its limitation to receive global Viewership. It deserved to nominate for Oscar more than most of the movies that have been nominated. The plot is epic and the actors have played there part very well. The music by A.R Rahman and the Lyrics by Javed Akhtar is extra Ordinary. The kind of sentiments we have for cricket, Social discrimination, Love Triangle have been depicted in an fabulous way. The movie captures the heart of India and for me is the best Indian movie ever been made.