As part of its programming for the 179th anniversary of Indian arrival in Guyana, Television Guyana, TVG Channel 28, will be airing the Bollywood classic “Lagaan”, also called ‘Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India’ on Friday, May 5 at 20:00h.
The 16-year-old international blockbuster is a 2001 epic sports-drama, staring talented Bollywood Actor/Producer, Amir Khan and is written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. Also in a lead role is Gracy Singh while British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne play the supporting roles.
“Lagaan” which was shot in an ancient village near Bhuj, India, is set in the Victorian period of India’s colonial British Raj. The story revolves around a small village whose inhabitants, burdened by high taxes, find themselves in an extraordinary situation as an arrogant officer challenges them to a game of cricket as a wager to avoid the taxes.
The narrative spins around this situation as the villagers face the arduous task of learning the alien game and playing for a result that will change their village’s destiny.
It received critical acclaim and awards at international film festivals, as well as many Indian film awards and became the third Indian film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film after Mother India (1957) and Salaam Bombay! (1988).
It was one of the biggest box office hits of 2001.
In 2010, the film was ranked Number 55 in Empire magazines “The 100 Best Films of World Cinema”. In 2011, it was listed in Time magazine’s special “The All-TIME 25 Best Sports Movies”. Its heart-warming and mesmerising music is a bonus.
