The Indian movie, Lagaan is an award winning Indian film which is directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and produced by the protagonist of the film Amir Khan himself. The backdrop of the movie is set in late nineteenth century India. the literal meaning of `Lagaan` is tax. This is a story of common villagers of a village `Champaner` somewhere in Central India. The time was during the British rule in 1893. The story is against injustice and opposition for which the villagers fights with the Britishers. The Indian movie Lagaan contains one unique cricket match which includes 22 people onscreen and 22 millon people offscreen as its audience.

Plot:
The story of the Indian movie, Lagaan is somewhat different than the other Bollywood masala movies. This is a story of the battle between good and evil. Justice and injustice in the village of Champaner. Captain Andrew Russell (Paul Blackthorne)is a commanding officer of a British cantonment. He oppresses the people of Champaner with high taxes or lagaan where there was no rain in the village. The local ruler, Rajah Pooran Singh, asks that taxes be lowered, to ease the suffering of the drought-stricken villagers. Captain Russell is not in a mood to lower it so he plays a trick. He asks rajah to eat meat if he wishes the taxes to be lowered. Rajah says that he must keep the rules of his religion and his caste and refuses to eat meat. Captain Russell then doubles the taxes. The villagers are shattered by the news. Because of the drought while they are unable to pay even the normal tax, the news of double tax is just shocking. But Rajah says that he cannot plead for mercy. While the villagers were returning from their fruitless visit to the Britishers they see playing the officers cricket with full joy. Captain Russell notices them and sees the young, impulsive Bhuvan (Aamir Khan), who has previously angered him. The captain offers Bhuvan a bet. He is in a mood to insult the villagers so he offered Bhuvan that he will cancel the taxes of the whole province for three years if a village team can beat his men at cricket. If they lose, they will owe triple tax. Bhuban agrees to the proposal as he explains that as they can pay neither double nor triple taxes, they should grab the chance for a tax remission. But the other villagers are not happy with Bhuvan as they think that though they do not know anything about cricket they would surely going to loose this. On the otherhand the British Government, on learning of Captain Russell`s wager, cautions him for his arrogant and irresponsible behaviour. And also tells him that if he loses the match, he will have to reimburse all the taxes from his own pocket and moreover suffer a transfer to Central Africa. Led by the courageous Bhuvan and helped by Russell`s good-hearted sister Elizabeth (Rachel Shelley), a few villagers begins to learn cricket. Consequently Bhuvan prepares a team and practices a lot to win the match. There is no discrimination on selecting the team members and Bhuban selects them purely on merit basis. Elizabeth falls in love with Bhuban while he loves Gauri, a local village girl. Gauri also loves Bhuban but Lakha, the woodcutter wants to win over Gauri. Lakha with an evil mind joins Bhuban`s team and secretly meets with Captain Russell, informing him of everything that is happening. The captain tries to prevent his sister from helping the villagers, but she defies him. On the first day of the match when the villagers are fielding, Lakha deliberately drops many catches. Ultimately with Elizabeth`s help Bhuban becomes able to detect Lakha and he also saves him while the villagers were about to kill Lakha. Thus with lots of drawbacks finally Bhuban wins the match and gives a terrific one wicket victory for the Indians. Elizabeth goes back to England while his brother gets transferred to africa.

Cast and Crew: The Indian movie, Lagaan is masterpiece by the leading actor Amir Khan. The Indian movie, Lagaan is a debut film of the actress Gracy Singh while Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne successfully played the respective roles. Kulbhushan Kharbanda played a significant role in this movie. The Indian movie, Lagaan is directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, the music is given by A.R.Rahman while the lyricist is Javed Akhtar.

Awards:
This Indian movie Lagaan was nominated for Academy Award for Best Foreign language film. Ashutosh Gowariker won the jury award at Bergen International Film Festival in 2002. the film got eight filmfare award in 2002, five IIFA awards. It won the audience award at Locarno International Film festival, and has won seven national film awards. Star Screen has given this film four awards while Zee Cine has given this eight awards. Indian movie Lagaan was also nominated for a numerous numbers of awards as well.