8.3
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
Overview
The year is 1893 and India is under British occupation. In a small village, the tyrannical Captain Russell has imposed an unprecedented land tax on its citizens. Outraged, Bhuvan, a rebellious farmer, rallies the villagers to publicly oppose the tax. Russell offers a novel way to settle the dispute: he challenges Bhuvan and his men to a game of cricket, a sport completely foreign to India. If Bhuvan and his men can defeat Russell's team, the tax will be repealed.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Progressive
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
Hinduism: Positive
Islam: Positive
Viewer Rating
8.3
Overview
The year is 1893 and India is under British occupation. In a small village, the tyrannical Captain Russell has imposed an unprecedented land tax on its citizens. Outraged, Bhuvan, a rebellious farmer, rallies the villagers to publicly oppose the tax. Russell offers a novel way to settle the dispute: he challenges Bhuvan and his men to a game of cricket, a sport completely foreign to India. If Bhuvan and his men can defeat Russell's team, the tax will be repealed.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Progressive
Primary
The film's central conflict and resolution revolve around the struggle of an oppressed community against colonial exploitation and unfair taxation, championing collective action and self-determination, which aligns with left-leaning themes of anti-colonialism and social justice.
The film features a diverse cast appropriate to its historical Indian setting, without explicit DEI-driven recasting of roles. Its narrative, however, strongly critiques colonial power structures, portraying the white male antagonists in a distinctly negative light as central to the story's conflict.
Secondary
The film portrays Hinduism as a source of strength, community, and moral grounding for the villagers, whose faith and traditions are depicted with dignity and respect in their fight against colonial rule.
Muslim characters are depicted as integral, loyal, and skilled members of the diverse Indian community, contributing positively to the collective struggle against oppression. Their faith is shown with respect and without critique.
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India is a historical sports drama centered on colonial resistance and community. The film's extensive narrative does not include any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes, resulting in no direct portrayal or impact on queer representation.
The film "Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India" does not feature any identifiable transsexual characters or themes. Consequently, there is no portrayal to evaluate regarding transsexual identity or experiences within the narrative.
The film is a sports drama set in colonial India, focusing on a cricket match. Female characters, such as Gauri and Elizabeth Russell, play significant roles in the narrative and emotional development but do not participate in any physical combat scenes against male opponents or any opponents at all.
Lagaan is an original story with characters created specifically for the film. There are no pre-existing source materials, historical figures, or prior adaptations from which characters' genders could have been established and subsequently changed.
Lagaan is an original story with characters created specifically for this film. There is no prior source material, historical record, or previous installment establishing any character's race differently from their portrayal in the movie.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
8.1
7.3
Critic Ratings
9.5
8.4
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