Writer/Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Starring: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh and Paul Blackthorne
Few actors in Bollywood are as celebrated today as Aamir Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Khan has proven to be one of the greatest actors in Bollywood. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, terrorists in danger or professional wrestlers, Khan has suggested he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his bravery. Khan has never been afraid to take risks in his career through tackling subjects that prove controversial. Through abilities to play characters which are compelling, Khan has established a legacy which has proven to be compelling. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Khan has never lost his strong passion for producing iconic entertainment. An iconic legend in India, Khan has become a celebrated legend in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout a groundbreaking career, Khan has created several strong movies that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies which he has created in his career. However, “Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India” might be my personal favourite. Released in 2001, Ashutosh Gowariker’s movie offered a bold portrait of cricket in rural India. Packed with breathtaking musical sequences, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Aamir Khan, who portrays a villager that seeks to engage in big cricket competitions. Ultimately, what makes “Lagaan” an Indian masterpiece is timeless appeal. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Indian history to enjoy it. A mesmerizing Indian masterpiece, there’s several reasons why “Lagaan” is a film that is worth watching.
Set within rural India, “Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India” follows a village of people engaging in cricket competitions causing a dilemma. Aamir Khan plays Bhuvan, a bold villager that isn’t afraid to stand up against injustice. Bhuvan’s hope seems to be lost as his village is imposed strict taxes by British occupation rulers. However, Bhuvan’s life is changed when he challenges British rulers to a cricket game under pressure. If Bhuvan and his people are able to defeat the British regime, he has a chance to save his village from tax disasters. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Bhuvan wonders whether it’s possible for him to overcome a British ruler.
Ashutosh Gowariker is fascinated with the themes of rebellion. A fantastic Bollywood filmmaker, Gowariker has often made great Indian films about rebellious individuals. His iconic movie “Baazi” provided a compelling portrait of police rebelling against authority in a doomed city. With “Lagaan”, however, the filmmaker created his first cricket movie. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to capture the lives of cricket players facing adversity but he succeeded immensely. Using strong cinematography, Gowariker captures lives of Indian villagers seeking to overcome the barriers of poverty. Gowariker expertly uses closeups to capture tense cricket games in competitions. For instance, closeups elevate the cricket match scene. During this intense scene, Bhuvan participates in his first game of cricket against the British regime. Using stunning closeups, Gowariker creates a bold portrait of cricket that’s compelling. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes celebrating a game Indians idolize. Through breathtaking visuals, Gowariker captures a village facing cricket games with consequence proving to be nerve-wracking.
Another admirable aspect of “Lagaan” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies you will ever see. Evoking Ramesh Sippy’s “Sholay”, Gowariker deftly uses the real-life Indian villages to create musical sequences that are engaging. For instance, the Indian village locales elevate the Mitwa scene. During this superb scene, Bhuvan expresses his strong views towards his village through a strong musical number. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. A.R. Rahman’s music gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing heavy burden cricket players bear. Using compelling production, Gowariker captures an entertaining Indian cricket competition.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Lagaan” is a Bollywood film about cricket that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively uses monologues to capture an Indian village enduring tensions. For instance, the monologues enhance the cricket proposal scene. During this heartfelt scene, Bhuvan gives a passionate speech trying to convince his village of the value of playing cricket. Through bold monologues, Gowariker creates a portrait of cricket that audiences can easily relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” proved, monologues often elevate films about friendships. However, it works in this film. Using a bold screenplay, Gowariker captures Indian cricket players facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Aamir Khan delivers one of his finest career performances as Bhuvan. Khan first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in Bollywood movies. With “Lagaan”, however, he took on his most challenging role. It isn’t easy to portray a villager that loves playing matches of cricket but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in his most tricky role. With strong expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and dedication of an Indian villager seeking success in cricket competitions. It’s a strong performance from one of the most beloved Indian actors today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Aamir Khan, the supporting cast is also amazing. Gracy Singh is great, bringing a sense of authority to an Indian woman that seeks success in a village facing adversity. Paul Blackthorne is phenomenal, capturing the ruthless personality of a British dictator engaging in cricket competitions achieving victory. Lastly, Rachel Shelly merits praise. As a glamorous British woman, she brings romantic tension to the film.
Finally, “Lagaan” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing cricket players which face tension. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes such as ambition, mental health and rebellion which will resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with Indian history to enjoy it. Therefore, “Lagaan” is one of those rare Indian films that everyone will definitely adore.
Fans of Aamir Khan would absolutely enjoy “Lagaan” and so would audiences which seek intense entertainment. A spectacular Indian sports drama, it celebrates an actor with charisma.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking Indian film about a village of people engaging in a cricket competition, it’s a captivating reminder of an actor with strong dedication towards his craft making unforgettable movies throughout his career which are absolutely without a single doubt worthy of appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 