Cast: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh (introducing), Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne, and others.
Producer: Aamir Khan
Director: Ashutosh Gowarikar
After a lot of waiting in the queue at the ticket counter, I finally got tickets for the 5-9 p.m. show on Monday (2nd Week), for the most awaited film, and the most hyped-about film of the year. Yes, I'm talking about Lagaan, Aamir Khan's home production starring himself, Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne, and introducing Gracy Singh. If I just give you the gist of the story, it will hardly impress you – Small village… Paying tax to British… No rain, and no crops… Cricket Match… If villagers win, tax cancelled for 3 years… British win, then triple tax…Result of match.
The story does not sound extraordinary, but it is the way it is handled is what makes the movie fantastic!! Lets get to the story.
STORY
The British ruled over Central India in the 19th century. They used to collect taxes (Lagaan) from the villagers of that province. One such village is Champaner. In the year 1893, it did not rain for a long time. The villagers were not able to grow crops because of no rain. But Captain Russell (Paul Blackthorne), the administrator of the province, announced that the villagers would have to pay Double tax (Dugna Lagaan) that year.
This worried the villagers, and so they decided to request the Maharaja of Champaner to talk to Captain Russell and reduce their tax. When they went there, they saw the British playing cricket, and laughed at them. Captain Russell got angry, and he challenged Bhuvan (Aamir Khan) to a cricket match. If Bhuvan's team wins, then the tax is cancelled for 3 years. But if the British win, then the whole province has to pay Triple Tax.
Now, its up to Bhuvan to convince the villagers, and make his team, within 3 months. But the villagers don't know the rules of Cricket. They try to learn it by observing the British. To their delight, Capt. Russell's sister, Elizabeth (Rachel Shelley) decides to help them out, and teach them the game.
Bhuvan makes his team of 11 players. Elizabeth teaches them to play cricket. While teaching them to play, she falls in love with Bhuvan. But she doesn't know that Bhuvan already is in love with Gauri (Gracy Singh), and so is Gauri in love with him.
Finally, the sun rises on the first day of the 3-day cricket match. But, I won't tell you what happens in the match, and what was the result. If I tell you that, then you will lose all the excitement, and the suspense won't remain suspense any more.
ANALYSIS
The movie is superb. Although its 3 hrs. 40 mins. Long, it keeps you glued to the seat. Even Mughal-e-Azam was a long film; it still is one of the best movies ever. Lagaan also has many funny scenes, which are so funny, that you cannot stop laughing until your stomach starts paining.
The story has been handled well, and the script is very good. The dialogues are very good. Since villagers would not know how to speak proper Hindi, and speak in their own dialect, the dialogues have been written accordingly. All the actors have said their dialogues with utmost ease. This gives the film the feel of a real village.
Most of the role has gone to Aamir, Rachel Shelley, and Paul Blackthorne. Gracy Singh does not have a very big role, but she has acted very naturally in the scenes given to her. She'll definitely have a good future in Bollywood, as she does have good looks, and dances very well. Aamir is excellent and Shelley and Blackthorne have performed exceptionally well. The other supporting actors, too, have done a great job.
The music of the film, composed by A.R.Rahman is superb. (Read my review on the Album of Lagaan). There are very few songs in the movie and they all fit in perfectly. The lyrics, by Javed Akhtar are excellent.
The sets have been designed very well. The main things to watch out for are the costumes and the make-up. The costumes, designed by Oscar Award winner, Bhanu Athaiya (Gandhi), may look ordinary, but that is the main idea and thought, when it comes to dressing villagers. The make-up, too, is very good.
The cinematography, by Anil Mehta, is very good, and the editing, too, done by Ballu Saluja, is good. The songs have been choreographed amazing well.
The film is too good, and a must to watch for everybody. Even if people tell you that the whole movie is a cricket match, don't believe him, because the match is only 1 hr- 1hr. 30 mins. Long. And believe me, each and every minute of the match is interesting and will keep you right on the edge of the seat.
If Lagaan, is nominated in any category, especially for the best costume designer, the best make-up, or the best foreign film, in the Academy Awards, I would bet my money on Lagaan to bag the award!!!
