I think the fame of Lagaan snowballed overtime and the frenzy was fuelled even more , by the fact that it pipped into the Oscars, which I dont hold in high regards in first place.What can you expect of a award ceremony where a movie like Titanic sweeped the awards ?
It is excellent compared to the normal Bollywood movies, afterall it is Aamir Khan behind the scene and cant expect anything less from him, but when you compare to the status of a classic status, I rate it a bit lower.My rating should be viewed , purely on the hype it generated and in the genre of classic movies.
The first half is just flawless and full marks to the movie in all departments.But the second half to me was quite predictable and a big let down and even more importantly stretched far too much.Even before the Lagaan team took the field, I and as a matter of fact everyone knew the outcome.I think it was mind and heart over matter that swayed the public sentiments.
Great movies makes you think , introspect and moves you.But for me the final half of this movie was pure entertainment, when I saw it in the theatres amidst the jubilant audience , but if I ever happen to view it in my VCR, I may just forward the whole thing.SO it is just the crowd mentiality that may make you enjoy the final half of the movie , but may not be gripping to view it when you give a repeat viewing for the second, third time and so on, unlike other great movies which will keep you captivated no matter how many times you view it.For example take the case of Life is beautiful , I may view it even today after countless number of times in past, and still can never miss any scene, but when it comes to Lagaan , the first half keeps me glued , but as soon as the movie moves into the latter half, I may flip the channel to have a look at something else.I consider Lagaan to be like a live cricket match , which is interesting to watch today, but maybe not a decade down the line.FOr me classic movies are those which I can watch any moment of the day in my lifetime.
The romantic angle between Aamir Khan and the English lady was totally out of place and very much typical of Bollywood movies.This factor just stretched the movie with no contribution to the climax , and these things are very crucial when you view a movie in the context of a classic.
Next comes the debate I have with my friends, who argue that this movie was the triumph of human spirit and cricket was just an example used in the movie to potray it.My argument is simple, all themes in bollywood movies are full of moral human triumphs but to differentaite this particular movie to be a cut above the rest of the classic movies, the effort put in to overcome the adversties and ultimately emerge triumphant , should be potrayed realistically.I think the win of Lagaan team was a joke and it jelled well with public because of the passionate nationalistic sentiments, age old cold memories of colonial Brit rule always lingering in the back of the mind and finally the cricketing passion that flows in Indian blood which is thirsty for win.Maybe even music which was another phenomenal factor.
In my view all I can say is , Lagaan is an excellent movie but not a classic.