(This was written by Roxette Flores, 2nd Year DevCom Student, submitted as a Final Requirement for DC 6 Media and Society)
ALLOW me to walk you through a movie that has greatly changed the way I see the world. I hope you get the chance to see it yourself.
You’ll be amazed.
The Men behind the lens
Lagaan (Agricultural Tax), an Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film in 2002 is a Bollywood sports film created by actor-turned director Ashutosh Gowariker. He is known to be one of India’s elite directors. He started helming the camera in the year 1993 with his debut film Pehla Nasha (First Love). On one of his personal quotes, he openly shared, “Cinema has to come from the heart. It has to move to you, matter to you; to an extent that it haunts and hunts you…” His love for country and film were best encapsulated when he continued saying “… I am not going anywhere because my heart is set in my country [India].” This strong conviction of making movies that can strike through the heart of its audience compelled him to make films that have deep roots of India’s societal conditions. He wants to make films that would highlight the indignity of human existence. Thus, Lagaan was written and created.
The movie was produced by Aamir Khan Productions and starred by Aamir Khan himself, one of India’s greatest Bollywood actors and film producers. In Lagaan’s official website, Aamir Khan expressed his thoughts about the film when he said,
“Lagaan began as a dream, a nebulous dream dreamt for the first time as far back as 1996 by a man called Ashutosh Gowariker. Over the last three years I, and the entire cast and crew of Lagaan, have tried to help and support the man leading us to realize his dream. The journey has led us all to become a part of his dream. And very soon my friend, you too will be a part of it. May the force be with you!”
The producer was clear in his intention to help the director of the film in making Lagaan a reality. Aamir Khan is one with the director’s desire to make films that would move and stir its audiences. He produces movies that depict significant societal values and realities. The alignment of their visions and dreams burned in them the desire to partner for a breakthrough film that is Lagaan.
A Brief History
The film was conceived in the year 1996. It took three years for it to finally be given birth. The event that has greatly impacted the film was the cricket match between the traditional rival teams India and Pakistan in the 1996 World Cup Finals. During that game, India emerged victorious. The filmmaker was inspired to make a film with a touch of sports action in it. The thrill of having to prepare for a big match and the excitement and anxiety of whether or not they be victorious was well depicted in the movie, adding up to the content and creativity of the film in general. Its distribution has reached places all over the globe. The film was first released in India, and then to Asia, the Americas, and the different parts of the world.
The film was set during the Victorian era of British government ruling over the towns of India. The townspeople were mandated by government to pay taxes in the form of agricultural produce. With no rain and low produce, the villagers could not pay their taxes. They pleaded the British government to lift their taxes. They could get their plea in one condition: play a game alien to them. If they win, they are free not to pay three years worth of lagaan. If they lose, they are to pay triple lagaan all their lives. When the huge challenge was accepted, there was no turning back. They had to do everything they can to win the game and free themselves and their village of the bondage of paying lagaan.
Its Purpose
The purpose of the film is to be able to present societal realities and human indignities in an artistic and creative way. The movie seeks to open the eyes of its audience and reveal the existence of injustice in society. It allows its audience to ask simple questions like “What are taxes for?” or “Why is the British government asking for taxes?” Or ask deeper questions such as “Why do need to pay taxes when they do not seem to enjoy the benefits of such obligation?” Upon asking these central questions, they are drawn in to ask more thought-provoking questions that boggle their minds, stir their hearts, and disturb their souls. The target audiences of the film are the Hindu people, specifically those of the members of the middle and higher classes of the Caste system. There is a need for these people to see for themselves what is going on in their society.
Impact and Differing Views
The message of this film would greatly benefit the peasants, untouchables, and all the members of the lower class of the Caste system. These people have dignity to be upheld and rights to be protected and enjoyed. They cannot just be simply disregarded and abused. On the other side of the coin, the people who might be harmed or disadvantaged in this film are people in authority, government, and members of the higher class in society. Audience’s reactions to the film greatly vary. Stereotyping is inevitable. Audiences might think that all people in power or has position in government are abusive, inhuman, and evil. If the audience would allow their emotions to get the better of them, there is a great tendency that their perception about the rich and the powerful will become negative temporarily. Or permanently.
There can be varying reactions and interpretations to the film. If you are a reformist, a person who embraces truth and justice, you would feel for the farmers and villagers, take their side, and do something about what you have discovered. If you are a person in power and authority or in government, you would feel like the movie has somehow exaggerated its depiction of societal injustice and would normally disagree with what it projects. If you are not Hindu, you would think that the movie or the message it holds does not concern you. If you are otherwise, you would either rejoice or remorse. It depends on what status or class you belong to. If you are a passive viewer, you would think of the film as just another movie added to your collection. With all these possible interpretations and reactions, one thing is certain—whether you see it clearly or not, the movie has an effect on you. Because of that, it has become successful in its desire to move and stir the hearts of its audience.
Style and Techniques
There are many techniques that the filmmaker used in order to better communicate ideas. First, the use of songs and dances were evident all throughout the film. The music and lyrics were effective tools in seething through the emotions of its audiences. Second, the sports aspect added a lot of flavor to the film. It makes one want to identify and root for a team and take a side. Third and last, the use of a normal and ordinary farmer as main actor for the film aligns perfectly to the message that the filmmaker wants to communicate to the audience. In a more technical aspect, the movie is not as outstanding. For audiences who could not understand their language, the subtitle provided would cause them to divert their attention. Instead of concentrating on the film itself, taking note of its verbal and non-verbal messages, their attention would be directed mostly to reading the English translation. Thus, they miss out on some important action and events.
Film Credibility
It was clearly stated at the start of the film that everything is a product of the filmmaker’s imagination and creativity. Any similarities to names, events, dates, and places in real life are highly coincidental. However, the researcher strongly believes that facts such as societal problems (Caste system, payment of taxes, colonialism, poverty, and corruption) exist in India and most of the third world countries. It may not be the exact people in the film who are greatly affected by these truths and problems in society but it cannot be denied that it depicts solid facts, enough to open the eyes of its audience.
Personal Notes
Just like most of the Bollywood films I have seen, I am always amazed at how much impact it leaves on me. Seeing Lagaan made me see things in a deeper and wider perspective. All elements in the film, I felt, are for me. I really did not know what movie to see and analyze. I have always believed in divine interventions. This one’s one of them.
As a sports writer and enthusiast, I saw how passion and purpose bring you success. The villagers did not know anything about the game. They did not even know if they would win against those trained English men. But they took the challenge for a noble purpose of freeing themselves from the bondage of paying taxes. Because of that, I see sportsmen in a different light. I salute them for playing their hearts out and giving their all in every game they play.
As an Agriculture and a Development Communication student, I realized how vital the role of Agriculture is to a community. It is its lifeblood. Without food, people will starve to death. Without farmers who painstakingly toil the land, there will be nothing served in our tables, nothing that will sustain our basic needs. Because of that, I’ll never look at farmers the same way again. They are the quiet force that helps us sustain ourselves. We owe them a lot. They deserve more than three years of free tax.
As a person and as a leader, I am inspired to be like Bhuvan, a lowly farmer who lifted his co-villagers and all the poor farmers, untouchables, and slaves. With his determination and desire to speak the truth and give justice to all the poor and weak, he boldly led the whole village to fight a bloodless battle and be victorious in the end. Because of that, I am compelled to fight for what is just, humane, and fair. I am fired up with the desire to do extraordinary things, things that would matter.
Amazing how a three-hour foreign movie has greatly changed the way I see the world, and the realities it holds. It has shed so much light to me. I hope you get the chance to see it yourself.
You’ll be amazed.
