Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
The people of a small village in Victorian India stake their future on a game of cricket against their ruthless British rulers.
Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker · Drama · Musical · Sport · 224 min · 2001
Director
Ashutosh Gowariker
Studio
Aamir Khan Productions
Release
15 Jun 2001
Runtime
224 min
Genres
Drama, Musical, Sport
Full Plot
In 1893, Indian farmers face an oppressive colonial administration that demands a crippling land tax despite their dire circumstances. Led by Bhuvan, they challenge the system with a high-stakes cricket match against British officers, risking everything for a chance at freedom from taxation. The villagers' underdog team faces skepticism and sabotage, but with the help of Elizabeth, Russell's sister, they must overcome adversity to succeed.
Cast & Characters
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $5.2M, Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India has grossed $8.1M worldwide — about 1.6x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
Aamir Khan appears in 11 films in our catalog, including PK, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-10-08
Did You Know Lagaan was inspired by Naya Daur (1957), a sports drama film directed by B. R. Chopra, written by Akhtar Mirza and Kamil Rashid, and starring Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala and Ajit Khan.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-10-08
Did You Know Director Gowariker has stated that it was almost impossible to make Lagaan.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-10-08
Did You Know Shah Rukh Khan initially rejected the idea of a "sporty" film but was moved after hearing the full dialogued script.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-10-08
Critical Assessment
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India holds 8.1/10 on IMDb (126,682 votes), 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84/100 on Metacritic.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of August 2, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.1/10 on IMDb (126,682 votes), 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India holds a 95% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India's IMDb rating?+
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India has a 8.1/10 rating on IMDb from 126,682 votes.
What is Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India's Metacritic score?+
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India has a Metascore of 84/100 on Metacritic.
Is Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India good? What are critics saying?+
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India holds 8.1/10 on IMDb (126,682 votes), 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84/100 on Metacritic.
How long is Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India?+
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India has a runtime of 224 min.
Who directed Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India?+
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker.
Where can I watch Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India?+
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India is available to stream, rent, or buy on Google Play Movies, YouTube.
