Cast: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Paul Blackthorne, Rachel Shelley
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Producer: Aamir Khan
Music: A R Rehman
Rating:**** Very Good

Actor Aamir Khan makes his debut as a producer in this period drama called Lagaan. The film is set in the 1890s, the time when the British ruled India. It is a story is about "the triumph of the ordinary". The film is set in colonial India, in the 1890s when the British ruled India and imposed tax (Lagaan) on the farmers based on the agricultural produce of each farmer.

Like thousands of villages across the country, the farmers of Champaner depend on agriculture as the main source of their livelihood. On the outskirts of the village stands a British cantonment, commanded by Captain Russell (Paul Blackthorne), an arrogant and capricious man.

While the whole village is waiting for the much-needed monsoon. The King of the province announced dugna lagaan

The villagers meet the King with a plea to waive the tax. However, due to fight between a villager Bhuvan (Aamir Khan) and Captain Russell, the latter challenges the villagers to a cricket match, which they have to win to have the tax waived for three years.

For the British it is just a mere game, but for the villagers it is a matter of survival for they would not survive after paying the tax thrice over if they lose the game.

What next? Bhuvan with the aid of Gauri (Gracy Singh) sets up a cricket team and Russell's sister who takes a liking for Bhuvan helps them in the process of learning the game.

The film has a very simple story but has been presented in a very well. Needless to say Aamir Khan must have mustered a lot of courage to produce a film of this magnitude as the film is set in the year of 1893.

From the very first scene in the film, the viewer gets engrossed with the film till the last minute. The scenes where Aamir gradually builds his team, have been handled with utmost care.

However, the highlight of the film is the Cricket match played in between both the teams. Though the film is lengthy (3.40 hours), no one realizes this when they are watching the film.

Another feather in the cap is the film's music. All the songs are well tuned and Radha Kaise Na, Ghanan Ghanan, Mitwa and Chale Chalo are pick of the lots.

The biggest highlight of the film is its background music, which keeps the mood of the film alive till the end. Dialogues eloquently well-penned.

After making two huge flops, director Ashutosh Gowariker has come up with a brilliant film.

Once again Aamir Khan has come up with an award winning performance. Gracy Singh has done a brilliant job. Paul Blackthorne is efficient. Rachel Shelley is impressive. Others artistes excel too.

All said and done, one must congratulate Aamir Khan and his team for making such a brilliant film.