The much awaited Aamir Khan production movie has finally hit the cinema screens. ..Lagaan meaning ’Tax’. Lagaan doesn’t really have a great script or story as such. Its basically just a little incident revived that occured way back in the 1890’s. But its the subtle way in which the director puts forward this little incident that makes it a refreshingly different and new movie..
Its a story about ’Unsung heros’. People who fought for what they believed in...but their names somehow didn’t appear in the pages of history... A backdrop of the 1890 period..with the British rule, a simple village with a good King, a love story and a unusual but enlightening cricket match is what the movie offers!!
Champaner is a little village that pays Lagaan(Agricultural tax) every year to the suave looking but lethal British officer Captain Russell (Paul Blackthorne) The King (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) has hardly any say in the whole matter. Calamity strikes the villagers when rain refuses to pour down and the officer doubles his lagaan. The villagers go over to the king with a request to cancel their lagaan this year. It is here when the cunning Captain Russell challenges Aamir(whom he hates) for a game of cricket...Aamir takes up the challenge and the entire village disagrees.
Now, Watch how our hero Bhuvan wins the hearts of the his fellowmen and how he incorporates 11 members into his cricket team. The scenes that follow are both hilarious and touching to watch. The left-hand spinner, the murghi (hen) catching fellow who excels in fielding, the crazy astrologer..boy! Its tons of fun! Also Captain Russells beautiful sister Elizabeth ( Rachel Shelley) surprisingly falls for our hero and lateron offers to help the villagers understand the game of cricket...much to jealousy of Bhuvans sweetheart Gauri (Gracy Singh). The songs blend amazingly well with the movie..be it melody, lyrics, choreography or the scene and purpose of the song..The story and the songs are in total sync. A.R Rehman has done full justice to the music of Lagaan.
Direction is first rate and performances by every single artiste is top class. Aamir is good and so is newcomer Gracy Singh. She exudes charm and seems naturally talented. Paul Blackthorne though not a typical hindi movie villain is menacing in his own way. Rachel Shelly is convincing and the supporting caste is excellent.
The movie is a full 3 hours 40 minute one..I personally feel it could have been a little shorter, but no regrets anyways. The climax is definitely thrilling and every aspect has been thoughtfully crafted to bring suspense and joy to every little scene. Though sometimes if you ponder real deeply, ’Lagaan ’ is overhyped and imaginary..but it is a ’Good effort’ by the young director Ashutosh Gowarikar’ to have thought of this concept and to have boldly put it before us in a sweet and convincing way..This is what makes Lagaan its moneys worth!! I would give Lagaan 4½ stars..How about you?