Lagaan - 2001

Story

This one isn?t going to tax your brains or heart; Lagaan is amongst the bravest movies ever made. Aamir in his maiden home production has done one hell of a job, challenging all the stereotype and formulas and maybe defining a new formula!

In the age of dreamy locales and storylines, which come straight out of the Archie comics, here is a movie, which comes down to reality with the traditional Indian village as the centre stage. Mind you this is no designer village with every pot in place and each house decorated as the king?s palace, the movie depicts life in the village of Champaner in 1893, the image is stark, barren and speaks of impoverishment. ?Lagaan?, which in the local language means ?taxes?, is literally about the village and it?s bid to get rid of the dreaded taxes, imposed on them by the British.

The people small simple, non heroic survivors, making a living from their dry lands, the image has challenged the whole ?mirch masala? formula and proved it to be trash, there are no larger than life heroes and this movie for once is to an extent brought the Indian cinema down to grips with reality. Now, now that is not to say the movie is not creative and interesting, it may be 3 and half hours in length, but keeps you at the edge of the seat all through it, good roaring wholesome fun!