Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India

Name: Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
Genre: Drama, Sport, Romance, Musical
Released: May 8, 2002
Duration: 224 min
Rating: 84

2002

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 21 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 57 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 57 Ratings

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LAGAAN: ONCE UPON A TIME IN INDIA

Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: May 8, 2002

Summary: The year is 1893 when Britain's Queen Victoria was the unsympathetic ruler of India. This is an inspiring story of a battle without bloodshed fought by a group of unlikely heroes. (Sony Pictures Classics)

Director: Ashutosh Gowariker

Genre(s): Drama, Sport, Romance, Musical

Rating: PG

Runtime: 224 min

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Awards & Rankings

15	#15 Best Movie of 2002
3	#3 Most Shared Movie of 2002

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

New York Daily News - Jami Bernard

The sunny, funny, toe-tapping Lagaan is the answer to those who ask why they don't make movies like they used to: They do, but in India. Read full review

100

Austin Chronicle - Marjorie Baumgarten

A movie that amply delivers on the epic promise of its title, entertaining, enlightening, and emboldening viewers with its deceptively simple premise and execution. Read full review

New Times (L.A.) - Gregory Weinkauf

An inspiring effort, lavishly lensed and featuring a spicy (if occasionally synthy) score from A.R. Rahman. Best of all, it's also something of a musical, as the characters are not above breaking into song and dance to serve their emotions. Read full review

The New York Times - Dave Kehr

Lagaan may look naïve; it is anything but. This is a movie that knows its business — pleasing a broad, popular audience -- and goes about it with savvy professionalism and genuine flair. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine - Ken Fox

Gowariker's stunningly choreographed, four-hour spectacle (reportedly one of the most expensive films in the industry's history) is a fascinating mix of Hollywood genres and tropes. Read full review

Film Threat - Chris Baker

Not only the best I've ever seen, but also the Indian film that'd be most accessible to a Western audience. Read full review

New York Post - Jonathan Foreman

If you've never seen a "masala" musical, you may find Lagaan hilariously bad. Cartoony acting, dreadful dialogue, obvious dubbing, and meandering but ultrapredictable plots are simply part of the Bollywood package, along with six musical numbers and a bizarre mixture of romance, comedy and melodrama. Read full review

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User Reviews

Gayathri

May 18, 2006

Extremely good. It was perfect.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Annoymous1

Jan 10, 2013

The best Indian movie by Amir Khan and well deserving. This movie should have already won a Oscar! The start is funny and during the play all those dramatic moments are great! This tale is about courage and teamwork and must be watched and even though it is 3 hours it is definetly worth it.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

RD.

Oct 10, 2006

Brilliant movie. Aamir Khan rocks.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SidP.

May 18, 2007

One of the finest movies ever produced in India.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Shashi049

Mar 18, 2018

Superb movie will give you hope and pride.One of the finest movie from India and honestly made.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AbyB.

Mar 5, 2006

Very well made, Exciting and very bold to make a film like in indian market which eventually clicked!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

amara

Jan 22, 2012

Lagaan is a great movie and even surprised to know that it has cracked my GMAT Examination as well. I had joined Climb First for GMAT preparation and I met Mr. Vinod there who has cleared his examination. He advised me to prepare strategy plan as per Lagaan movie. At Climb first, VinodLagaan is a great movie and even surprised to know that it has cracked my GMAT Examination as well. I had joined Climb First for GMAT preparation and I met Mr. Vinod there who has cleared his examination. He advised me to prepare strategy plan as per Lagaan movie. At Climb first, Vinod advised me that to crack GMAT Examination, 11 things are very important, same like 11 members in a team. 1. Quant, 2. English, 3. Analytical Writing Assessment,
4. Level of Difficulty 1 & 2, 5. Keep in Mind about different range of questions, 6. Time Management, 7. Stress Management, 8. Shortlisting of Universities, 9. Tips for Interview, 10. I should justify why I want to do MBA, 11. Where I see myself after MBA. These are the 11 things. If we can coordinate and club all these 11, then we can make it as a team and can hit the goal. I really appreciate Vinod whom I met at Climb First to give these tips I applied and cleared my GMAT. I got a score of 730 in GMAT.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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