Lagaan (2001)
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The story
In 1893, the farmers of the village of Champaner, located within the British Central India Agency, endure an oppressive colonial administration. Despite a devastating drought and a failed harvest, British officials demand the regular lagaan (land tax). Led by a resilient young farmer named Bhuvan, the villagers appeal to their local ruler, Raja Puran Singh, for a tax waiver. Their petition is intercepted by the arrogant and sadistic regiment commander, Captain Andrew Russell. Russell proposes a high-stakes wager: the villagers will play a game of cricket against his elite British officers. If the villagers win, their lagaan will be completely canceled for three consecutive years; if they lose, they must pay triple the standard tax, an ultimatum that would guarantee their starvation.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1893, the farmers of the village of Champaner, under British rule, face a devastating drought and high taxes. When their plea for a tax waiver is intercepted by the sadistic Captain Andrew Russell, Bhuvan leads the villagers to accept a wager: they must win a cricket match against the British officers to have their taxes canceled for three years. If they lose, they face triple taxes and certain starvation. Bhuvan recruits a diverse team, including the skilled spinner Kachra, while Russell's sister, Elizabeth, secretly coaches the villagers. A traitorous villager, Lakha, acts as a spy for the British. The three-day match begins with the British scoring heavily. After Elizabeth exposes Lakha's betrayal, he seeks redemption and helps the villagers. On the final day, Bhuvan leads a desperate defense. In the final over, Bhuvan hits a ball that is ruled a six after a no-ball, securing victory. The drought ends as a storm breaks. Russell is reassigned, and Bhuvan marries Gauri. The victory remains a hidden triumph in official history.
- First release year
- 2001
- Runtime (minutes)
- 233
- Production countries
- India
- Original languages
- Hindi
- Directors
- Ashutosh Gowariker
- Writers
- Ashutosh Gowariker · screenplay; Kumar Dave · screenplay; Sanjay Damya · screenplay; Ashutosh Gowariker · story
- Cast and characters
- Aamir Khan · Bhuvan; Gracy Singh · Gauri; Rachel Shelley · Elizabeth; Paul Blackthorne · Captain Andrew Russell; Raghubir Yadav · Bhura; Rajesh Vivek · Guran; Raj Zutshi · Ismail; Pradeep Rawat · Deva; Daya Shankar Pandey · Kachra; Yashpal Sharma · Lakha; Amin Hajee · Bagha
- Genres
- epic; period; sports drama
- Themes
- anti-imperialism; resilience; unity
- Tone and mood
- epic; heroic
- Premise and plot tags
- underdog story; sports drama; historical fiction
- Source material / true-story basis
- Naya Daur (1957)
- Reception
- The film received widespread critical acclaim for its direction, performances, and anti-imperialist stance, becoming a celebrated piece of Indian cinema.
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Foreign Language Film · Nominated; Filmfare Awards · Best Film · 47th · Won; Filmfare Awards · Best Director · 47th · Won; Filmfare Awards · Best Actor · 47th · Won; National Film Awards · Best Popular Film · 49th · Won
- Production trivia
- The film was the most expensive Indian film at the time of its release.; The film was the first Indian film to have a nationwide release in China.; The film was the third, and as of 2025 the last, Indian film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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