It justs bowls you over with its simplicity. To add to it, a rich dash of humour and emotional drama makes it an experience worth cherishing. But still, I am of the opinion that Lagaan is overhyped. And this is coming from a die-hard fan of Aamir Khan.
Bhuvan, the super hero dares to do the impossible. He says just the right things. He does just the right things. He romances the village Gauri with a subtle ease. And to add to that, the ravishing English Mem falls for our Desi babu as well.
Don’t go away guys, for there’s more to follow! He challenges the Gora General. And the jallad general falls for his dare devilry as well. For he offers to play around with him. Not around the trees but on the then-unknown cricket pitch (We are talking about 1890’s, by the way).
A cricket match happens and the ’deserving’ team wins. It is needless to say which won! While all the preparations and bravura is taking place, there’s the unusual song-n-dance routine, jealous vibes and more.
I hope I am not going overboard. For Lagaan is full of extremely positive moments. But, I think, the credit for that must surely go to the film’s director Ashutosh Gowarikar and the mercurial producer Aamir Khan.
The human spirit really triumphs. For making a period film in an age of designer fare must have taken a lots of guts. And then actually going ahead and completing a very expensive film (Rs 25 crores)must have required a very strong resolve.
The language of the film is rustic Avadhi or chaste British English. The dresses are either the dirty dhoti kurta, ghaghra choli or the impeccably neat Angrezi apparel. The music by AR Rahman reeks of the Desh-ki-mitti ka charm or the effervescence of Thames.
All in all, Lagaan is an amazing attempt. It shall be remembered for its sheer scale and valour of those who made it. But still, there’s something that is missing. I can’t pin-point what, but something is missing. Its a gut feeling and one can’t really define it.
The acting of Aamir, debutante Gracy Singh and Kulbhushan Kharbhanda is super class. The lesser known mortals excel as well. Paul Blackthorne lacked the menace one would like to associate with a villian.
Javed Akhtar’s lyrics is classic stuff. Sound design by Nakul Kamte is world class. Dresses by Bhany Athaiyya is mesmerising. Even the background score by AR Rahman is a sheer treat. I won’t be surprised if it laps up an Oscar too.
It is a good movie. It is an entertaining movie. It is a timeless movie. Don’t miss it!