Lagaan (2001) Review: Cricket as Colonial Rebellion

Is Lagaan worth watching?

Yes. Lagaan is a landmark of Hindi popular cinema, a sweeping and joyful underdog story that turns a village cricket match into a drama of pride, unity and resistance to empire. Ashutosh Gowariker combines the pleasures of a musical, a sports film and a period epic without losing control of any of them, and its climactic match remains one of the most gripping sustained sequences in Indian film. The reservations are its length, close to four hours, and British characters who are often painted in very broad strokes.

What is Lagaan about?

In 1893, in a village in central India, a drought has left farmers unable to pay the lagaan, the land tax demanded by their British rulers and the local raja who answers to them. When the young farmer Bhuvan (Aamir Khan) mocks the officers’ cricket game, the arrogant Captain Russell offers a wager: if the villagers can beat his men at cricket, the tax will be cancelled for three years; if they lose, they will pay three times over. Bhuvan accepts, and then has to build a team from people who have never held a bat.

Lagaan is written and directed by Gowariker, an Indian production in Hindi, with some English dialogue from its British characters, and it runs 224 minutes. Gracy Singh plays Gauri, the village woman who loves Bhuvan, and Rachel Shelley plays Elizabeth, the captain’s sister, who takes an interest in the villagers’ cause. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and won the Filmfare Award for best film.

A village assembles, one misfit at a time

Much of the film’s charm lies in the team-building. Bhuvan’s recruits include a sceptical farmer, a fortune-teller, a potter and a man with a crippled hand, and Gowariker gives each of them a distinct personality and a moment to shine. The recruitment of the team also allows the film to confront divisions within the village itself, including caste prejudice, so that unity against the British must first be won at home.

Aamir Khan, who also produced, anchors it all with an earnest, likeable performance. Bhuvan is a straightforward hero, but Khan’s warmth and conviction make his idealism persuasive, and he lets the ensemble share the spotlight.

Songs, scale and a match worth the wait

A. R. Rahman’s score and songs, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar, are woven into the story rather than bolted on. “Ghanan Ghanan”, in which the villagers watch the sky for rain, and “Radha Kaise Na Jale”, a playful devotional number, are highlights of a soundtrack that remains beloved. The dusty, sun-baked landscapes and the large crowd scenes give the film genuine epic scale.

Then there is the match itself. Gowariker devotes a huge portion of the running time to it, and makes every over count, building suspense through character moments, tactical twists and shifting fortunes. Even viewers who know nothing about cricket will follow it easily, because the film explains the game through the villagers’ own learning curve.

Nearly four hours, and broad villains

At nearly four hours, Lagaan asks for real commitment, and some middle stretches, particularly the romantic triangle involving Elizabeth, slow the momentum. The British officers are mostly cartoonish, with Captain Russell in particular played as an uncomplicated villain, which simplifies the colonial conflict into something close to fable. These choices suit the film’s crowd-pleasing aims but limit its depth.

Who should watch Lagaan?

It is essential for anyone exploring Indian cinema, for fans of sport films and underdog stories, and for families looking for a big, uplifting epic. Plan for a long evening or split it into two sittings, as there is a natural break before the match. There is little violence or strong language, and it is suitable for most ages.

For more:

• Dangal, another Aamir Khan sports drama, grounded in a true wrestling story and just as stirring.
• Taare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan’s directing debut, for another heartfelt story about an underdog finding his gift.

The verdict

Lagaan is a grand, generous and thrilling crowd-pleaser that uses cricket to tell a story about dignity and collective courage. Its length and broad villains are real drawbacks, but its music, ensemble and superb final match make it one of the defining Indian films of its era.

Rating: 4.5/5