.
| Directed by | Ashutosh Gowariker |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Aamir Khan Jhamu Sughand |
| Written by | Ashutosh Gowariker Kumar Dave Sanjay Dayma K. P. Saxena (dialogue) |
| Narrated by | Amitabh Bachchan[1] |
| Starring | Aamir Khan Gracy Singh Rachel Shelley Paul Blackthorne |
| Music by | A. R. Rahman |
| Cinematography | Anil Mehta |
| Editing by | Ballu Saluja |
| Distributed by | Aamir Khan Productions Sony Pictures Classics Columbia Tristar |
| Release date(s) | June 15, 2001[2] India, United Kingdom, United States |
| Running time | 224 min |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi English Bhojpuri |
| Budget | Rs. 250 million[3] |
| Gross revenue | Rs. 389 million[4] |
Lagaan (Bhojpuri/Hindi: लगान; Urdu: لگان; translation: "Land tax"), also known as Lagaan: Once upon a time in India, is a Bollywood feature film made in India. It became the third Hindi language film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (after Mother India in 1957 and Salaam Bombay! in 1989). The film, based on an original story by Ashutosh Gowariker, was also directed by him. It was produced by Aamir Khan, who also played the lead role, and starred Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Ben Nealon, and A.K. Hangal in supporting roles.
The movie is set in the Victorian period of the British Raj and revolves around the peasants from a barren village who are oppressed by high taxes imposed by the British. When the peasants attempt to persuade the officers to reduce the taxes, the officers put forth a proposition to the peasants. One senior officer offers them to cancel their taxes for three years if their village team beats them at cricket. After accepting this proposition, the villagers face the arduous task of learning the game and playing for a result that will change their village's destiny.
The film received critical acclaim and awards at various international film festivals, as well as many Indian film awards. Released on June 15, 2001 it became one of the biggest hits of the summer while its DVD sales is the highest ever for a Bollywood movie.
