20 years of lagaan

20 years of Lagaan, it's like a generation has passed. Last Indian film to get nominated for an Oscars. Seriously in these 20 years we couldn’t make an Oscar worthy movie? We are the highest producers of the movies across the globe and not a single movie has won an Oscar so far. The nomination committee from India or the approach of nominating the film needs to be relooked big time and some serious actions need to be taken. On the other hand, the jury of Oscars needs to be educated more about India, as it is not only about poverty and snake charmers. And for the filmmakers, you need to stop putting a warm look on Indian shots to make it look dull. India also has blue sky and green mountains.

I was in 8th Grade when this magnificent film was released, and saw this in Eros cinema, Mumbai. Since it was a single screen cinema, we had to wait for the earlier show to get over. Waiting outside, we could hear the sounds from the cinema hall. My excitement was so high that I started to imagine what the scene would be like, I was never excited this much about a film before.

I’ve seen this movie so many times now over past years (courtesy: Sony Max, Zee Cinema and Netflix) that I remember exactly what will happen next, not just in terms of the dialogues but also about the background score. The making of the film is itself an outstanding documentary which deserves many accolades.

Who could have thought that this film will have Cricket as its central theme. Back then due to no social media platforms, there were no leaked images or the stories about the film. Also, it was hard to make out the theme considering the first look of the film on television sets. I still struggle to find that first teaser trailer on YouTube. It was this shot as the first teaser of the film.

Right from the initial titles until the climax, the film was rich in the overall production value. The casting was perfect, sync sound was used for the first time in India, no electronic instrument was used for its music or background score as it was period film. Lagaan without such outstanding background score would be completely different film.

It’s been 20 years.... and I still laugh at Bhura and Goli's banter, get goosebumps when Bhuvan fights for Kachra’s inclusion in the team (and that background score buildup), feel calm when Ismail builds partnership with Bhuvan in the match and I am still cheering for Bhuvan to hit that Six out of the ground (Bdw Bhuvan did it before M S Dhoni) and even after 20 years, despite 3 hour 42 mins long, I still don't want it to end...

#AamirKhan #AshutoshGowarikar #AGPPL #AamirKhanProductions #GracySingh #PaulBlackthrone #RachelShelley #ARRahman #AnilMehta #BalluSaluja