Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India Page #2

Synopsis: This is the story about the resilience shown by the Indians when they were under the British Rule. They are already taxed to the bone by the British and their cronies, but when Jack Russell announces that he will double the Lagaan (tax) from all villagers, they decide to oppose it. Leading the villagers is a handsome young man named Bhuvan, who challenges them to a game of cricket, a game that is to be played by veteran British cricket players, versus villagers, including Bhuvan himself, who have never played this game before, and do not even know a bat from a piece of wood. As the challenge is accepted, the interest grows and attracts Indians from all over the region, as well as the British from all over the country - as everyone gathers to see the 'fair play' that the British will display against their counter-parts, who are aided by none other than the sister, Elizabeth, of Captain Rusell.
Director(s): Ashutosh Gowariker
Production: B4U Entertainment
  Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 44 wins & 19 nominations.
 
IMDB:
8.1
Metacritic:
84
Rotten Tomatoes:
95%
PG
Year:
2001
224 min
Website
3,723 Views


Oh, never mind.

What do you want?

I've got something special

to tell you.

What?

Sit down, won't you?

So tell me.

Guran read my fortune today.

So, what's the misfortune?

So mean! I won't tell you.

All right. Tell me.

Come on, tell me.

Guran said...

...I'll put henna on my hands

this year...

...I mean get married.

Wow! That's great!

Such happy news.

You'll be dancing with joy.

Who's the boy?

How would I know?

Guran didn't tell me that.

But Guran said for sure...

The house I marry into will have

a Neem tree in the courtyard...

A big field beside the house...

...two cows, a pair of oxen

and three goats.

Guran said my home

will be a little heaven.

How wonderful!

You're really lucky.

Lucky! You call this lucky?

Well, a little heaven of a home.

What more do you want?

God knows what'll become of me!

Well, Bhuvan, tell me one thing.

What kind of girl do you like?

I...

I will like only the girl

whom my Mai likes.

Whom Mai likes?

- Yes.

Oh, God!

- What happened?

Actually...

...I came to tell you that

your Mai wants you.

You tell me now

after all this time!

You sit here now.

I'm going.

Bhuvan, I am sorry!

Rajaji!

How did your hunt go?

The British are the best

when it comes to hunting.

The British Empire is

the best in the world.

Isn't that so?

- Absolutely.

But I am getting worried.

- About what?

When all the game in

the jungle is finished...

...what will your guns target next?

We're fortunate that

you came to visit us.

But I don't know the reason.

I've brought you a request

on behalf of my subjects.

Request?

Good morning, Eliza.

- Good morning.

Your Highness, may I present

my dear sister Elizabeth.

She just arrived from London.

Elizabeth, His Highness,

Raja Puran Singh Chala of Champaner.

It's my rare good fortune

to meet you.

Rajaji, she doesn't know Hindi.

Of course.

Charmed to meet you.

Pleased to meet you,

Your Highness.

Sir.

- Smith.

Elizabeth, I'd like you to meet

my deputy, Lieutenant Patrick Smith.

How do you do, Lieutenant Smith?

- Pleased to meet you.

Gentlemen.

Well, Rajaji.

I am at your service.

My people haven't worshipped

at the Siddheshwar temple...

...for the past three years.

They believe...

...performing puja will end

the hardships they faced last year.

But...

- But...

The temple is in the land ruled

by Raja Diler Singh...

...who is your cousin and enemy.

And your very dear friend.

I'm sure Diler Singh won't

say no if you talk to him.

No, thank you.

I'm a vegetarian.

I mean vegetarian.

So, what do you think, Captain Russell?

Is it possible?

Well, he could be persuaded.

Your work might be done.

But on one condition.

Rate this script:3.3 / 4 votes

Ashutosh Gowariker

Ashutosh Gowariker (born 15 February 1964) is an Indian film director, actor, screenwriter and producer. He is known for directing films "set on a huge canvas while boasting of an opulent treatment". His works include Lagaan (2001), Swades (2004), Jodhaa Akbar (2008), What's Your Raashee? (2009), Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey (2010) and Mohenjo Daro (2016). His film Lagaan was nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category in 74th Academy Awards, which makes him a voting member of the Academy Awards. He returned to acting by playing the lead role in the critically acclaimed comedy-drama Ventilator (2016). more…

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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