Jun 16, 2001 01:50 PM
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Hi folks! I saw the “First Day – Third Show”..Ain’t I Kewl…; To begin with, let me warn you all that I am not a very good storyteller and I am particularly not as sharp at writing movie reviews as loverboy4u or Milind. The simple reason being that I take movies especially Hindi movies very lightly. Though it is a different matter that I am usually under the weather of the movie for a good one-day or two, more so if I like the movie.
Its funny but somehow I just seem to get into the mode of the character that is being played…Its Uncanny but its True…For example: Sholay!!!! Gosh!! (I still manage to irritate Raj) for he suddenly will become Jai..Jai tu mujhe chod ke kyon chala gaya tha”…My mom will become Mausi to me and I will see a reflection of gabbar in my elder Bro!!! One day I almost got killed myself along with 3 other friends after watching Golden eye (James Bond) b’coz I simply took my poor old maruti 800 to be the lissome BMW sport …
And now it is the much hyped up Lagaan….. “kahe laakha…. fulli gola khele ho ka humre saath!!!!” This is my new incarnation as Amir Khan the villager and I hope it stays for a couple of days…
Acha friends jyada bakar bakar kiye begear mahari kahani suno…..
Overview
To begin with ---- It is a splendid movie- 3hrs 40 mins long movie phew!!… Though story theory essentially is as conventional as they come – Tension built up and then happy ending (for the reason our public would have flooded the theatres with their tears otherwise, and amir would have torn his clothes apart)
The story of Lagaan as would be known to all is placed against the backdrop of 1890s, during the period of the British Raj. However neither is the film a true story, nor is it based on the freedom movement. The character of a movie would come as a surprise to all except to those who have been a victim of eavesdropping of some associate of the unit or a friend who has already watched the movie.(I have decided to play an angel here) It was indeed a pleasant surprise to me even though initially I was majorly putoff. And if I say even a single word after this I think I would be revealing the plot and “tum sab gaon walan humri dhoti phadey ke humre peeche bhagey ho…”
Story line
The focal point or the crux around which the movie revolves is revealed within first 20 minutes of watching the movie. As I mentioned before the profile is same conventional hindi masala movie (minus the ranjit rape scenes—THANK GOD!!). The movie basically tries to leverage on two most emotionally swaying issues that all Indians feel passionately about… One is the Pre Independence subjugation under British Raj and Second………Well Well Well (that is the punch). As is revealed in the title itself, the movie revolves around the system of Lagaan prevailing in the those years. The drought-hit villagers are not in a position to pay the ‘Lagaan’ (crop tax). The British officer (Angrezi Bhediye) in charge of collecting it does not listen to their pleas. In fact to settle a personal grudge against Amir Khan, Capt Russell orders them to pay the 'Lagaan' of two years together. Then, to appease his warped sense of humor as it were, he lays a difficult condition (That is the Punch! I flipped on this one) before them. He conveys to the villagers that if they were able to fulfill the condition, he would excuse them from paying 'Lagaan' forever. However, if they fail, they would have to triple the amount as fine.
This challenge is taken up by a young villager (Aamir Khan) and along with all other problems invites a lot of flak from the villagers in the entire province. How he manages to fulfill this almost impossible job is what 'Lagaan' is all about. Now the movie may sound very serious on the face of it, but at best it is one of the best comedies I have seen in along time. The credit goes to Amir and Jhamu for keeping it so tight and yet so light. I am sure it is not the easiest thing to make you roar in laughter one minute and the very next minute make you feel the sweat in your palms!! AND THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF THE MOVIE. Though I strongly feel that it could be cut short to a normal 3-hrs movie
Casting
In total 12 key members from the villagers side and 2 prime cast from the britishers. Most of the characters have done good justice to their roles (which is why Amir decided to pay them triple Bonus!! What a guy!!) My fav in the movie after Amir is Bhoora ( one with long beard and hair (in promos if u have seen) the guy who played Amir khusro on TV). Gracy singh did all the acting with her eyes and of course her dance. Must check out Radha kaise na jale song!! “Munne bahut chokhi laag rahi si”. Cpt Russel (the bad guy) and her Sister (who ironically sides up with the villagers and …… do we see a triangle !!! yes u guessed it right) in their typical brit accent speaking in Hindi was a charm to watch.
Screen Play / Direction
Jhamu Sugandh has done a wonderful job in catching the entire experience of that era. A commendable effort behind the camera. However, I still feel that our Bollywood has not reached highest level of proficeincy in props and set making (our villages don’t look like villages at all)…Once again the only movie I can recall which had brilliant sets was sholay…. Nevertheless, every single scene has been given due diligence and not even once you would find a mash or a clash in the sequence. Every single shot is a movie in itself.
Music
Wow!! U all already know enough about this ,,, the deadly duo of Javed Akhtar and our very own legendary AR Rehman. Absolute delight to the ears and has already become very popular. There are a total of 8 songs (one might feel that the number is one too many) fitting well in the sequences. My favorite songs are Sun Mitwa, Megah re megha and Radha kaise na jale
Bottomline
“Ae babu..Picturewa dekhne ke liye jaun laggan diye ho …to soch samajh ke diye ho”…I do not know if this movie will appeal to all personalities or not… but if u are looking for a family entertainment, a clean movie with soothing songs brilliant acting pieces and a different comedy then u can take my words.
The only draw back is that it is a long movie that makes it a look like a drag at some few points. Amir has made a commendable effort with the fusion of two cultures and of course the 25 crores …I think we shpuld be fair to the industry after all every 100 Rs we spend will count in the end.
My verdit??? The movie will definitely do well…infact very well. Actually u never know considering the fact that a horrendous pathetic, disgraceful movie like Mujhe Kuch kehna can rock the box office then this should bring a twister!!!! Or it may even crash after all we all know what our audience did to Lamhe. “ Are O Amir bhaiya …Gaon walan ke haat jod ke araj kiye ho? Lagaan aisan nahi milat rahe!!”
