Lagaan

Probably for the first time in the history of Indian cinema a film such as Lagaan generated mass hysteria as the official Indian entry to the Oscars.

2000
Director: Ashutosh Gowarikar
Producer: Jhamu Sugandh
Music: AR Rahman
Cast: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Paul Blackthorne, Rachel Shelley, Shrivallabh Vyas, Suhasini Mulay
Running Time: 224 mins

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It was probably for the first time in the history of Indian cinema that a film such as Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Lagaan generated mass hysteria as the official Indian entry to the Oscars. The film, which puts every Hindi film cliché to brilliant use, is about a bunch of villagers who defeat their colonial masters in a game of cricket thereby ensuring that their tax is waived for the next three years.

The media contributed and put in its two bit when it came to the pre-Oscar hype and for once the readers (read viewers) were not in disagreement with the selection.

In fact, no film in the past had had the backing of the sub-continent so completely – ranging from the PM to the public. Things got further charged when the film was nominated among the best five to vie for the Academy Award.

As Khan and gang, geared up to woo the jury members who would finally cast their votes, the nation and national media backed Indian cinema’s celebrated XI to the hilt. Finally on March 23, 2001, it was a choice between Lagaan, the French production Amelie and Bosnian feature, No Man’s Land.

Lagaan lost.

Not because it wasn’t good enough but because No Man’s Land was better. And Khan went on record to say that he didn’t mind losing to a film about two soldiers caught up between warring sides, which highlighted the futility of war amid much black humour. It was what an international audience understood better.

Still, Khan and Gowarikar had proved that any subject can work with the audiences provided someone has the intelligence to respect their intelligence as well. The duo have ensured a place in the history of Indian cinema for themselves and Lagaan. The Spirit of the film won in the long run.

Box-office Results
Budget: INR 250,000,000
Opening Weekend: $10,736 (as on May 12, 2002, on two screens)
*Information courtesy:www.imdb.com