Fresh
An involving, easily digestible hunk of pure entertainment that could be the trigger for Bollywood's long-awaited crossover to non-ethnic markets.
Derek Elley, Variety
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
Once upon a time in India
2001 · 3h 53m · PG
Adventure, Drama, History
Directed by
Ashutosh Gowariker
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Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
Overview
The year is 1893 and India is under British occupation. In a small village, the tyrannical Captain Russell has imposed an unprecedented land tax on its citizens. Outraged, Bhuvan, a rebellious farmer, rallies the villagers to publicly oppose the tax. Russell offers a novel way to settle the dispute: he challenges Bhuvan and his men to a game of cricket, a sport completely foreign to India. If Bhuvan and his men can defeat Russell's team, the tax will be repealed.
Director and cast
- Ashutosh Gowariker Director
- Aamir Khan as Bhuvan
- Gracy Singh as Gauri
- Rachel Shelley as Elizabeth Russell
- Paul Blackthorne as Captain Andrew Russell
- Suhasini Mulay as Yashodamai, Bhuvan's mother
- Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Raja Puran Singh
- Raghuvir Yadav as Bhura, the poultry farmer
- Raghubir Yadav as Bhura
- Rajesh Vivek Cast
- Pradeep Singh Rawat Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
95%
Tomatometer
Fresh
Few recent American musicals are this fluid or engaging.
Mark Peranson, Chicago Reader
Fresh
A great big Bollywood musical, complete with song and dance and doomed love triangles and elegantly photographed men playing cricket. And it's terrific fun, in a way that only great big musical fantasies can be.
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
Fresh
After having seen this Cinemascope extravaganza in a theater, on DVD and video, I still think the big screen experience is worth it.
Monica Eng, Chicago Tribune
Fresh
It works its magic with such exuberance and passion that the film's length becomes a part of its fun.
F.X. Feeney, L.A. Weekly
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