Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 43 (click to see context) from:
* FairPlayVillain: Capt. Russell can be quite the dick, threatening double or even triple the usual taxes for the village, but he at least gives them a sporting chance by promising to ''waive the entire province's taxes for three years straight'' if the Indian locals defeat the British at a cricket match. This he even does at great personal risk to himself and his career--[[spoiler:exactly what happens when the Indians win]]. Then again, he likely didn't expect them to win and simply had his bluff called.
to:
* FairPlayVillain: Capt. Russell can be quite the dick, threatening double or even triple the usual taxes for the village, but he at least gives them a sporting chance by promising to ''waive the entire province's taxes for three years straight'' if the Indian locals defeat the British at a cricket match. This he He even does this at great personal risk to himself and his career--[[spoiler:exactly what happens when the Indians win]]. Then again, he likely didn't expect them to win and simply had his bluff called.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 39 (click to see context) from:
* EvilColonialist: Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. The whole plot starts because he tries to force the Raja to eat meat when he knows very well the man is vegetarian, and doubles the taxes out of spite when the Raja refuses. He then threatens the village with ''triple tax'' if they lose the cricket match to the British, though he does give something of a "sporting chance"—however little—by promising ''three years without taxes, for the entire province'', if by some miracle the Indians win. What really drives home his meanness is him beating the shit out of Arjan for hurting one of the Army horses while shoeing him, and—of course—trash-talking the village team, which some of his teammates naturally engage in too. Most of the other British actually come off as pretty reasonable. Russell's senior officers are outraged at his playing fast and loose with the law and making a mockery of the British Government (though admittedly it's mostly because they're afraid other provinces will have the same idea about avoiding taxation) and make it clear to him that if his team loses, ''he'll'' have to pay the three years of taxes, as opposed to their stepping in and forcing the province to pay. Not to mention his own sister Elizabeth who actively coaches the village.
to:
* EvilColonialist: EvilColonialist:
** Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. The whole plot starts because he tries to force the Raja to eat meat when he knows very well the man isvegetarian, vegetarian -- even freely admitting that he's doing it solely because he'll enjoy seeing the other man forced to go against his religious principles -- and doubles the taxes out of spite when the Raja refuses. He then threatens the village with ''triple tax'' if they lose the cricket match to the British, though he does give something of a "sporting chance"—however little—by promising ''three years without taxes, for the entire province'', if by some miracle the Indians win. What really drives home his meanness is him beating the shit out of Arjan for hurting one of the Army horses while shoeing him, and—of course—trash-talking the village team, which some of his teammates naturally engage in too.
** Most of the other British actually come off as pretty reasonable. Russell's senior officers are outraged at his playing fast and loose with the law and making a mockery of the British Government (though admittedly it's mostly because they're afraid other provinces will have the same idea about avoiding taxation) and make it clear to him that if his team loses, ''he'll'' have to pay the three years of taxes, as opposed to their stepping in and forcing the province to pay. Not to mention his own sister Elizabeth who actively coaches the village.
** Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. The whole plot starts because he tries to force the Raja to eat meat when he knows very well the man is
** Most of the other British actually come off as pretty reasonable. Russell's senior officers are outraged at his playing fast and loose with the law and making a mockery of the British Government (though admittedly it's mostly because they're afraid other provinces will have the same idea about avoiding taxation) and make it clear to him that if his team loses, ''he'll'' have to pay the three years of taxes, as opposed to their stepping in and forcing the province to pay. Not to mention his own sister Elizabeth who actively coaches the village.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 39 (click to see context) from:
* EvilColonialist: Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. He threatens the village with ''triple tax'' if they lose the cricket match to the British, though he does give something of a "sporting chance"—however little—by promising ''three years without taxes, for the entire province'', if by some miracle the Indians win. What really drives home his meanness is him beating the shit out of Arjan for hurting one of the Army horses while shoeing him, and—of course—trash-talking the village team, which some of his teammates naturally engage in too. Most of the other British actually come off as pretty reasonable. Russell's senior officers are outraged at his playing fast and loose with the law and making a mockery of the British Government (though admittedly it's mostly because they're afraid other provinces will have the same idea about avoiding taxation) and make it clear to him that if his team loses, ''he'll'' have to pay the three years of taxes, as opposed to their stepping in and forcing the province to pay. Not to mention his own sister Elizabeth who actively coaches the village.
to:
* EvilColonialist: Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. The whole plot starts because he tries to force the Raja to eat meat when he knows very well the man is vegetarian, and doubles the taxes out of spite when the Raja refuses. He then threatens the village with ''triple tax'' if they lose the cricket match to the British, though he does give something of a "sporting chance"—however little—by promising ''three years without taxes, for the entire province'', if by some miracle the Indians win. What really drives home his meanness is him beating the shit out of Arjan for hurting one of the Army horses while shoeing him, and—of course—trash-talking the village team, which some of his teammates naturally engage in too. Most of the other British actually come off as pretty reasonable. Russell's senior officers are outraged at his playing fast and loose with the law and making a mockery of the British Government (though admittedly it's mostly because they're afraid other provinces will have the same idea about avoiding taxation) and make it clear to him that if his team loses, ''he'll'' have to pay the three years of taxes, as opposed to their stepping in and forcing the province to pay. Not to mention his own sister Elizabeth who actively coaches the village.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 13,14 (click to see context) from:
A rare example of a [[SportsStories sports story]] about [[UsefulNotes/CricketRules Cricket]], and in 19th-century India at that.
to:
A rare example of a [[SportsStories sports story]] about [[UsefulNotes/CricketRules Cricket]], and in 19th-century India at that.
that. Its soundtrack, of course, mainly comprises FilmiMusic.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Changed line(s) 61,63 (click to see context) from:
* LoveTriangle:
** Bhuvan, Gauri, and Elizabeth. [[TriangRelations Type 4]], as Bhuvan only has eyes for Gauri.
** Gauri, Bhuvan, and Lakha. Also Type 4, as Gauri only loves Bhuvan.
** Bhuvan, Gauri, and Elizabeth. [[TriangRelations Type 4]], as Bhuvan only has eyes for Gauri.
** Gauri, Bhuvan, and Lakha. Also Type 4, as Gauri only loves Bhuvan.
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ItWillNeverCatchOn: The villagers have never heard of cricket before being challenged to the game, and, until they learn how to play, seem to mostly regard it as a silly English thing. In modern India, cricket is the most popular sport in the country and a national pastime, so local viewers would find this quite amusing.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Deleted line(s) 64 (click to see context) :
* TheMeanBrit: Russell is pretty unlikeable for the most part. The whole plot starts because he tries to force the Raja to eat meat when he knows very well the man is vegetarian, and doubles the taxes out of spite when the Raja refuses.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 39 (click to see context) from:
* EvilColonialist: Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. He threatens the village with ''triple tax'' if they lose the cricket match to the British, though he does give something of a "sporting chance"—however little—by promising ''three years without taxes, for the entire province'', if by some miracle the Indians win. What really drives home his meanness is him beating the shit out of Arjan for hurting one of the Army horses while shoeing him, and—of course—trash-talking the village team, which some of his teammates naturally engage in too. Most of the other British actually come off as pretty reasonable. Russell's senior officers make it clear to him that if his team loses, ''he'll'' have to pay the three years of taxes, as opposed to their stepping in and forcing the province to pay; not to mention his own sister Elizabeth who actively coaches the village.
to:
* EvilColonialist: Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. He threatens the village with ''triple tax'' if they lose the cricket match to the British, though he does give something of a "sporting chance"—however little—by promising ''three years without taxes, for the entire province'', if by some miracle the Indians win. What really drives home his meanness is him beating the shit out of Arjan for hurting one of the Army horses while shoeing him, and—of course—trash-talking the village team, which some of his teammates naturally engage in too. Most of the other British actually come off as pretty reasonable. Russell's senior officers are outraged at his playing fast and loose with the law and making a mockery of the British Government (though admittedly it's mostly because they're afraid other provinces will have the same idea about avoiding taxation) and make it clear to him that if his team loses, ''he'll'' have to pay the three years of taxes, as opposed to their stepping in and forcing the province to pay; not pay. Not to mention his own sister Elizabeth who actively coaches the village.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 21,22 (click to see context) from:
** Russell, and how!
** Averted with the rest of the higher-ups. Elizabeth is genuinely upset with her brother's actions (and in love with TheHero) and helps the villagers by teaching them how to play cricket; the Raja hates Russell as much as anyone (but takes pains to conceal it); the senior officers tell Russell that they expect ''him'' to pay the ''lagaan'' out of his own pocket should his team lose, rather than stepping in to force the village to pay; the referees are completely impartial; and the rest of the Brits graciously applaud the Indian villagers when they win the match.
** Averted with the rest of the higher-ups. Elizabeth is genuinely upset with her brother's actions (and in love with TheHero) and helps the villagers by teaching them how to play cricket; the Raja hates Russell as much as anyone (but takes pains to conceal it); the senior officers tell Russell that they expect ''him'' to pay the ''lagaan'' out of his own pocket should his team lose, rather than stepping in to force the village to pay; the referees are completely impartial; and the rest of the Brits graciously applaud the Indian villagers when they win the match.
to:
** Russell, and how!
how! His senior officers are more complex; they want to get as much tax out of the territory as they can and are afraid of other provinces getting a similar idea or even open rebellion, but they also tell Russell that they expect ''him'' to pay the ''lagaan'' out of his own pocket should his team lose, rather than stepping in to force the province to pay.
** Averted with the rest of the higher-ups. Elizabeth is genuinely upset with her brother's actions (and in love with TheHero) and helps the villagers by teaching them how to play cricket; the Raja hates Russell as much as anyone (but takes pains to conceal it); thesenior officers tell Russell that they expect ''him'' to pay the ''lagaan'' out of his own pocket should his team lose, rather than stepping in to force the village to pay; the referees are completely impartial; and the rest of the Brits graciously applaud the Indian villagers when they win the match.
** Averted with the rest of the higher-ups. Elizabeth is genuinely upset with her brother's actions (and in love with TheHero) and helps the villagers by teaching them how to play cricket; the Raja hates Russell as much as anyone (but takes pains to conceal it); the
Changed line(s) 64 (click to see context) from:
* TheMeanBrit: Russell is pretty unlikeable for the most part.
to:
* TheMeanBrit: Russell is pretty unlikeable for the most part. The whole plot starts because he tries to force the Raja to eat meat when he knows very well the man is vegetarian, and doubles the taxes out of spite when the Raja refuses.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 22,23 (click to see context) from:
** Averted with the rest of the higher-ups. Elizabeth is genuinely upset with her brother's actions (and in love with TheHero); the Raja hates Russell as much as anyone (but takes pains to conceal it); the referees are completely impartial; and the rest of the Brits graciously applaud the Indian villagers when they win the match.
* AuthorityInNameOnly: The Maharaja definitely gives off this vibe due to British Imperialism. Regardless his people still love him.
* AuthorityInNameOnly: The Maharaja definitely gives off this vibe due to British Imperialism. Regardless his people still love him.
to:
** Averted with the rest of the higher-ups. Elizabeth is genuinely upset with her brother's actions (and in love with TheHero); TheHero) and helps the villagers by teaching them how to play cricket; the Raja hates Russell as much as anyone (but takes pains to conceal it); the senior officers tell Russell that they expect ''him'' to pay the ''lagaan'' out of his own pocket should his team lose, rather than stepping in to force the village to pay; the referees are completely impartial; and the rest of the Brits graciously applaud the Indian villagers when they win the match.
* AuthorityInNameOnly: The Maharaja definitely gives off this vibe due to British Imperialism.Regardless Regardless, his people still love him.
* AuthorityInNameOnly: The Maharaja definitely gives off this vibe due to British Imperialism.
Changed line(s) 39 (click to see context) from:
* EvilColonialist: Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. He threatens the village with ''triple tax'' if they lose the cricket match to the British, though he does give something of a "sporting chance"—however little—by promising ''three years without taxes, for the entire province'', if by some miracle the Indians win. What really drives home his meanness is him beating the shit out of Arjan for hurting one of the Army horses while shoeing him, and—of course—trash-talking the village team, which some of his teammates naturally engage in too. Most of the other British actually come off as pretty reasonable, not to mention his own sister Elizabeth who actively coaches the village out.
to:
* EvilColonialist: Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. He threatens the village with ''triple tax'' if they lose the cricket match to the British, though he does give something of a "sporting chance"—however little—by promising ''three years without taxes, for the entire province'', if by some miracle the Indians win. What really drives home his meanness is him beating the shit out of Arjan for hurting one of the Army horses while shoeing him, and—of course—trash-talking the village team, which some of his teammates naturally engage in too. Most of the other British actually come off as pretty reasonable, reasonable. Russell's senior officers make it clear to him that if his team loses, ''he'll'' have to pay the three years of taxes, as opposed to their stepping in and forcing the province to pay; not to mention his own sister Elizabeth who actively coaches the village out.village.
Changed line(s) 57 (click to see context) from:
* LifeIsntFair: [[EvilBrit Captain Andrew Russell]] puts the Indian villagers in an impossible position -- play a cricket game against an experienced team and win to avoid taxes for the next three years, or lose and pay ''three times that amount''. Elizabeth, his [[WomenAreWiser much more sensible younger sister]], calls him out on this:
to:
* LifeIsntFair: [[EvilBrit Captain Andrew Russell]] puts the Indian villagers in an impossible position -- play a cricket game (a sport they have little to no experience in) against an experienced team and win to avoid taxes for the next three years, or lose and pay ''three times that amount''. Elizabeth, his [[WomenAreWiser much more sensible younger sister]], calls him out on this:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 41 (click to see context) from:
* FairPlayVillain: Capt. Russell can be quite the dick, threatening double or even triple the usual taxes for the village, but he at least gives them a sporting chance by promising to ''waive the entire province's taxes for three years straight'' if the Indian locals defeat the British at a cricket match. This he even does at great personal risk to himself and his career—[[spoiler:exactly what happens when the Indians win]].
to:
* FairPlayVillain: Capt. Russell can be quite the dick, threatening double or even triple the usual taxes for the village, but he at least gives them a sporting chance by promising to ''waive the entire province's taxes for three years straight'' if the Indian locals defeat the British at a cricket match. This he even does at great personal risk to himself and his career—[[spoiler:exactly what happens when the Indians win]]. Then again, he likely didn't expect them to win and simply had his bluff called.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* FairPlayVillain: Capt. Russell can be quite the dick, threatening double or even triple the usual taxes for the village, but he at least gives them a sporting chance by promising to ''waive the entire province's taxes for three years straight'' if the Indian locals defeat the British at a cricket match. This he even does at great personal risk to himself and his career—[[spoiler:exactly what happens when the Indians win]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 39 (click to see context) from:
* EvilColonialist: Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. He threatens the village with ''triple tax'' if they lose the cricket match to the British, though he does give something of a "sporting chance"—however little—by promising ''three years without taxes, for the entire province'', if by some miracle the Indians win. What really drives home his meanness is him beating the shit out of Bhura for hurting one of the Army horses while shoeing him, and—of course—trash-talking the village team, which some of his teammates naturally engage in too. Most of the other British actually come off as pretty reasonable, not to mention his own sister Elizabeth who actively coaches the village out.
to:
* EvilColonialist: Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. He threatens the village with ''triple tax'' if they lose the cricket match to the British, though he does give something of a "sporting chance"—however little—by promising ''three years without taxes, for the entire province'', if by some miracle the Indians win. What really drives home his meanness is him beating the shit out of Bhura Arjan for hurting one of the Army horses while shoeing him, and—of course—trash-talking the village team, which some of his teammates naturally engage in too. Most of the other British actually come off as pretty reasonable, not to mention his own sister Elizabeth who actively coaches the village out.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 39 (click to see context) from:
* EvilColonialist: Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. He threatens the village with ''triple tax'' if they lose the cricket match to the British, though he does give something of a "sporting chance"—however little—by promising ''three years without taxes, for the entire province'', if by some miracle the Indians win. What really drives home his meanness is him beating the shit out of Bhura.
to:
* EvilColonialist: Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. He threatens the village with ''triple tax'' if they lose the cricket match to the British, though he does give something of a "sporting chance"—however little—by promising ''three years without taxes, for the entire province'', if by some miracle the Indians win. What really drives home his meanness is him beating the shit out of Bhura.Bhura for hurting one of the Army horses while shoeing him, and—of course—trash-talking the village team, which some of his teammates naturally engage in too. Most of the other British actually come off as pretty reasonable, not to mention his own sister Elizabeth who actively coaches the village out.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* EvilColonialist: Duh, and Capt. Russell is one of the worst of the lot in this case. He threatens the village with ''triple tax'' if they lose the cricket match to the British, though he does give something of a "sporting chance"—however little—by promising ''three years without taxes, for the entire province'', if by some miracle the Indians win. What really drives home his meanness is him beating the shit out of Bhura.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 9,10 (click to see context) from:
''Lagaan'' is a 2001 UsefulNotes/AcademyAward-nominated UsefulNotes/{{Bollywood}} epic set during the [[UsefulNotes/TheRaj British Raj]] in UsefulNotes/{{India}}. When the residents of a drought-stricken small village cannot pay their taxes (''lagaan'') to the British, a young man, Bhuvan, is offered a bet by the British [[TheCaptain Captain]]: if they can win a UsefulNotes/{{cricket}} match against the British team, he will cancel their taxes for three years. If they lose, they must pay triple. Bhuvan, to the horror of his fellow villagers, accepts the challenge, pointing out that without rain, the taxes would ruin them either way.
to:
''Lagaan'' (''Tax'') is a 2001 UsefulNotes/AcademyAward-nominated UsefulNotes/{{Bollywood}} epic set during the [[UsefulNotes/TheRaj British Raj]] in UsefulNotes/{{India}}. When the residents of a drought-stricken small village cannot pay their taxes (''lagaan'') to the British, a young man, Bhuvan, is offered a bet by the British [[TheCaptain Captain]]: if they can win a UsefulNotes/{{cricket}} match against the British team, he will cancel their taxes for three years. If they lose, they must pay triple. Bhuvan, to the horror of his fellow villagers, accepts the challenge, pointing out that without rain, the taxes would ruin them either way.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* {{Expy}}: Kachra the disabled spin bowler is one of the famous leg spinner Bhagwath Chandrasekhar who overcame a debilitating childhood polio affliction to become a very dangerous spin bowler.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
%%
%%
%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
%%
%%
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lagaan.jpg]]
''Lagaan'' is a 2001 UsefulNotes/AcademyAward-nominated UsefulNotes/{{Bollywood}} epic set during the [[UsefulNotes/TheRaj British Raj]] in UsefulNotes/{{India}}. When the residents of a drought-stricken small village cannot pay their taxes (''lagaan'') to the British, a young man, Bhuvan, is offered a bet by the British [[TheCaptain Captain]]: if they can win a UsefulNotes/{{cricket}} match against the British team, he will cancel their taxes for three years. If they lose, they must pay triple. Bhuvan, to the horror of his fellow villagers, accepts the challenge, pointing out that without rain, the taxes would ruin them either way.
Bhuvan must then make a competent cricket team out of a [[RagTagBunchOfMisfits rag-tag group of villagers]]. In the meantime, he catches the eye of the captain's good-natured sister, Elizabeth, which greatly upsets his childhood friend Gauri.
A rare example of a [[SportsStories sports story]] about [[UsefulNotes/CricketRules Cricket]], and in 19th-century India at that.
Has nothing to do with ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'', although one character ''is'' named Guran.
----
!!This movie provides examples of:
* AccidentalAthlete: Who knew farming could prepare some people to play cricket?
* AristocratsAreEvil:
** Russell, and how!
** Averted with the rest of the higher-ups. Elizabeth is genuinely upset with her brother's actions (and in love with TheHero); the Raja hates Russell as much as anyone (but takes pains to conceal it); the referees are completely impartial; and the rest of the Brits graciously applaud the Indian villagers when they win the match.
* AuthorityInNameOnly: The Maharaja definitely gives off this vibe due to British Imperialism. Regardless his people still love him.
* TheBet: Russell makes one with Bhuvan (and, by extension, the villages)--if the Indian team wins the cricket game, then the villages will not have to pay the lagaan for three years. However, if the British team wins, then the villages will be punished with paying ''three times the lagaan'' that year.
* BetaCouple: Supporting characters Bagha (the mute drummer) and Jigni (Gauri's best friend) serve as this to the main leads Bhuvan and Gauri.
* BettyAndVeronica: Gauri is the Betty to Elizabeth's Veronica for Bhuvan's Archie: Gauri is a farm girl from Bhuvan's village and has been friends with him since childhood, while Elizabeth is a high class lady from England. In the end, the "Betty" wins.
* BigGame: The last third of the film. For a movie running a quarter shy of ''four hours'', that's saying something.
* TheBigGuy: Bagha, who also doubles as a GentleGiant.
* BoisterousBruiser: Guran, of course. Also Bagha, who turns into this on the rare occasions he opens his mouth.
* ChekhovsGunman: Around fifty minutes into the film, Kachra, the crippled Untouchable, makes a brief appearance collecting straw when Bhuvan and Tipu first try to convince the other villagers to form a cricket team. Over an hour later, Kachra not only becomes the Indian team's spinner, he's also accepted into the village thanks to Bhuvan.
* ChildhoodFriendRomance: Bhuvan and Gauri have known each other since they were children, and they become an OfficialCouple halfway through the movie.
* CombatPragmatist: Russell takes advantage of Bhuvan's team's inexperience during the game. He's not above making people cry or bleed either.
* CrowdSong: Essential, being a Bollywood film. Averted with "O Rey Chhori."
* DeathGlare: Jigni gives one of these to Bhuvan after he talks to Elizabeth in private, because it brought Gauri to tears.
* DidNotGetTheGirl: {{Gender Inverted|Trope}}. Upon realizing that Bhuvan only loves Gauri, Elizabeth returns to England, and the film's ending reveals that [[UnrequitedLoveLastsForever she remains unmarried for the rest of her life]]. Considering this is set in UsefulNotes/VictorianBritain, that's saying something.
* DisproportionateRetribution: The sole reason why Russell wants the villagers to pay double the taxes (prior to TheBet he makes with Bhuvan) is because the Raja refused to eat meat when Russell kept pestering him to do so, despite knowing full well that the Raja is a vegetarian.
* DownToTheLastPlay: The game comes down to a final bat. Interestingly, thanks to UsefulNotes/CricketRules, the villagers win because Captain Russell catches the ball out of bounds.
* TheDragon: Technically Russell's entire team, but special mention goes to Yardley, who bowls the ball straight at his opponent's [[strike: body]] head. ''Twice''.
* FightingForAHomeland: A major theme is the deep conflict between the British and the Indians being resolved not with a war, but a simple cricket game.
* FirstGirlWins: Gauri has been in love with Bhuvan since they were children, and he reciprocates her love right before they sing "O Rey Chhori."
* FromTheMouthsOfBabes:
-->'''[[GreenEyedMonster Gauri]]:''' Tell me this, Bhuvan. Why's that White witch ready to help you?\\
'''[[TagalongKid Tipu]]:''' ''(after meeting Elizabeth only once)'' Simple. She took a fancy to brother Bhuvan.
%%* GorgeousPeriodDress
* GreenEyedMonster:
** Lakha is jealous of Bhuvan because they both love Gauri and she only has eyes for Bhuvan. This causes Lakha to act as TheQuisling during the first day of the match, in order to make Bhuvan look bad in front of Gauri and the other villagers. [[HeelFaceTurn He comes to his senses later]].
** {{Downplayed|Trope}} with Gauri, who's jealous of Bhuvan spending time with Elizabeth but doesn't do anything to sabotage their friendship in any way. After Bhuvan assures her that he loves ''her'', she treats Elizabeth much more cordially, to the point where they share a tearful hug when the latter leaves the village with the rest of the British higher-ups.
* HappyRain: Subverted in the beginning after the film's first song "Ghanan Ghanan." Played Straight in the end after the Indian cricket team wins.
* HeartIsWhereTheHomeIs: PlayedWith. When Elizabeth confesses her love to Bhuvan, she does so in English. He doesn't reject her; in reality, he neither understands what she said nor sees her as a LoveInterest anyways. In the very next scene, he tells Gauri (his childhood friend from their village) that he's the man she's going to marry from Guran's fortune. He and Gauri sing about their mutual love in the subsequent song "O Rey Chhori", and the film's ending reveals that they eventually have a splendid wedding.
* ImaginaryLoveTriangle: Gauri anguishes over Bhuvan spending time with Elizabeth, knowing that the Englishwoman is also in love with him. In reality, Bhuvan is completely oblivious to Elizabeth's feelings and merely sees her as his team's cricket teacher. Much to Gauri's joy and relief, Bhuvan has only ever loved ''her''.
* ImprovisedTraining: The inexperienced Indian cricket team chases chickens and the like. Half of their special skills originate from ordinary tasks that they do in their day jobs too.
* KickTheDog: In Russell's first appearance, he shoots a rabbit just to make a point. This is after he made Bhuvan believe that he was going to shoot ''him''.
* LargeHam: Guran is pretty much the Indian version of Creator/BrianBlessed. He has NoIndoorVoice, a beard that would make [[Literature/HarryPotter Hagrid]] proud, and most of his dialogue consists of very creatively cursing the British. ''To their faces''. In fact, GURAN deserves the capitalization as much as BLESSED.
* LifeIsntFair: [[EvilBrit Captain Andrew Russell]] puts the Indian villagers in an impossible position -- play a cricket game against an experienced team and win to avoid taxes for the next three years, or lose and pay ''three times that amount''. Elizabeth, his [[WomenAreWiser much more sensible younger sister]], calls him out on this:
-->'''Elizabeth:''' This isn't fair, brother.\\
'''Russell:''' So is life.
* LoveTriangle:
** Bhuvan, Gauri, and Elizabeth. [[TriangRelations Type 4]], as Bhuvan only has eyes for Gauri.
** Gauri, Bhuvan, and Lakha. Also Type 4, as Gauri only loves Bhuvan.
* MagneticHero: {{Downplayed|Trope}} with Bhuvan. He's already friendly with everyone in his village, but it takes more than half the movie for him to convince ten other men to come together and become a cricket team. Also, while Bhuvan is friendly towards Lakha, it's ''not'' mutual--Lakha hates him because they both love Gauri and she only loves Bhuvan. [[HeelFaceTurn He comes around towards the end]].
* TheMeanBrit: Russell is pretty unlikeable for the most part.
* MiracleRally: What happens after the first day of the game. 322 runs is a lot of ground to cover.
* MoodWhiplash: During the song "O Rey Chhori", we cut from Bhuvan and Gauri singing in Hindi, as per regular Bollywood, to Elizabeth singing in English. Her lyrics, and the entire setting for them, are very reminiscent of a Disney movie.
* NeverGiveUpSpeech: Or rather, song, in the form of the National Film Award-winning "Mitwa."
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Although Bhuvan is TheHero and by far the MVP of the game, his play is ''not'' flawless. Notably, he bats the ball into Deva's wicket, and pushes the middle-aged doctor Ishwar beyond his endurance limits (each time resulting in a lost wicket).
* OnceUponATime: The film is given the subtitle "Once Upon a Time in India" in international releases.
* OpposingSportsTeam: A bunch of mean, racist British soldiers.
* PetTheDog: Captain Russell's love for his younger sister Elizabeth is one of his few redeeming qualities.
* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: The team of villagers Bhuvan puts together include TheSpeechless drummer (Bagha), a wild FortuneTeller (Guran), the rich guy (Goli), the village doctor and father of Bhuvan's LoveInterest Gauri (Ishwar), a poultry farmer (Bhura), TheBlacksmith (Arjan), a Muslim potter (Ismail), a woodcutter (Lakha), a Sikh former Sepoy (Deva), and the village's crippled Untouchable (Kachra).
* ReassignedToAntarctica: The higher-ups threaten to send Russell to a desert in Central Africa if he loses. ''Ouch''.
* RecycledINSPACE: It's every sports movie you've ever seen, IN COLONIAL INDIA! With SINGING!
* RuleOfThree:
** The stakes of the villagers losing the match are raised from double to triple Lagaan.
** The stakes of the villagers winning the match are raised from cancelling that year's tax, to two years, to three years.
** The match is played over three days.
** Kachra gets three batters out.
* SaveOurTeam: However, instead of a coach, the villagers get the opposing team captain's sister, who helps them learn how to play the game primarily because she has the hots for Bhuvan.
* ShoutOut: On the British cricket roster, you have lieutenants [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson Smith and Wesson]].
* SmallTownRivalry: Bhura and Goli have one of these that stems from Goli's sons pestering Bhura's chickens, and both being too HotBlooded to handle it reasonably. They become FireForgedFriends once they join the Indian cricket team.
* TrainingMontage: Played Straight, but including yoga on mountaintops, in the song "Chale Chalo."
* TrainingThePeacefulVillagers: Sort of, although the villagers already have some knowledge of cricket, having played a similar Indian game as children.
* TypeCaste: The villagers threaten to quit the team entirely just because Bhuvan wants Kachra, an Untouchable who can [[DisabilitySuperpower spin the ball when bowling]], to join the team as their eleventh and final member. Bhuvan touches the Untouchable and then lectures the villagers until they relent.
* UnderdogsNeverLose: Naturally.
* WelcomeBackTraitor: Lakha performs a HeelFaceTurn and Bhuvan lets him back on the team.
----
%%
%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
%%
%%
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lagaan.jpg]]
''Lagaan'' is a 2001 UsefulNotes/AcademyAward-nominated UsefulNotes/{{Bollywood}} epic set during the [[UsefulNotes/TheRaj British Raj]] in UsefulNotes/{{India}}. When the residents of a drought-stricken small village cannot pay their taxes (''lagaan'') to the British, a young man, Bhuvan, is offered a bet by the British [[TheCaptain Captain]]: if they can win a UsefulNotes/{{cricket}} match against the British team, he will cancel their taxes for three years. If they lose, they must pay triple. Bhuvan, to the horror of his fellow villagers, accepts the challenge, pointing out that without rain, the taxes would ruin them either way.
Bhuvan must then make a competent cricket team out of a [[RagTagBunchOfMisfits rag-tag group of villagers]]. In the meantime, he catches the eye of the captain's good-natured sister, Elizabeth, which greatly upsets his childhood friend Gauri.
A rare example of a [[SportsStories sports story]] about [[UsefulNotes/CricketRules Cricket]], and in 19th-century India at that.
Has nothing to do with ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'', although one character ''is'' named Guran.
----
!!This movie provides examples of:
* AccidentalAthlete: Who knew farming could prepare some people to play cricket?
* AristocratsAreEvil:
** Russell, and how!
** Averted with the rest of the higher-ups. Elizabeth is genuinely upset with her brother's actions (and in love with TheHero); the Raja hates Russell as much as anyone (but takes pains to conceal it); the referees are completely impartial; and the rest of the Brits graciously applaud the Indian villagers when they win the match.
* AuthorityInNameOnly: The Maharaja definitely gives off this vibe due to British Imperialism. Regardless his people still love him.
* TheBet: Russell makes one with Bhuvan (and, by extension, the villages)--if the Indian team wins the cricket game, then the villages will not have to pay the lagaan for three years. However, if the British team wins, then the villages will be punished with paying ''three times the lagaan'' that year.
* BetaCouple: Supporting characters Bagha (the mute drummer) and Jigni (Gauri's best friend) serve as this to the main leads Bhuvan and Gauri.
* BettyAndVeronica: Gauri is the Betty to Elizabeth's Veronica for Bhuvan's Archie: Gauri is a farm girl from Bhuvan's village and has been friends with him since childhood, while Elizabeth is a high class lady from England. In the end, the "Betty" wins.
* BigGame: The last third of the film. For a movie running a quarter shy of ''four hours'', that's saying something.
* TheBigGuy: Bagha, who also doubles as a GentleGiant.
* BoisterousBruiser: Guran, of course. Also Bagha, who turns into this on the rare occasions he opens his mouth.
* ChekhovsGunman: Around fifty minutes into the film, Kachra, the crippled Untouchable, makes a brief appearance collecting straw when Bhuvan and Tipu first try to convince the other villagers to form a cricket team. Over an hour later, Kachra not only becomes the Indian team's spinner, he's also accepted into the village thanks to Bhuvan.
* ChildhoodFriendRomance: Bhuvan and Gauri have known each other since they were children, and they become an OfficialCouple halfway through the movie.
* CombatPragmatist: Russell takes advantage of Bhuvan's team's inexperience during the game. He's not above making people cry or bleed either.
* CrowdSong: Essential, being a Bollywood film. Averted with "O Rey Chhori."
* DeathGlare: Jigni gives one of these to Bhuvan after he talks to Elizabeth in private, because it brought Gauri to tears.
* DidNotGetTheGirl: {{Gender Inverted|Trope}}. Upon realizing that Bhuvan only loves Gauri, Elizabeth returns to England, and the film's ending reveals that [[UnrequitedLoveLastsForever she remains unmarried for the rest of her life]]. Considering this is set in UsefulNotes/VictorianBritain, that's saying something.
* DisproportionateRetribution: The sole reason why Russell wants the villagers to pay double the taxes (prior to TheBet he makes with Bhuvan) is because the Raja refused to eat meat when Russell kept pestering him to do so, despite knowing full well that the Raja is a vegetarian.
* DownToTheLastPlay: The game comes down to a final bat. Interestingly, thanks to UsefulNotes/CricketRules, the villagers win because Captain Russell catches the ball out of bounds.
* TheDragon: Technically Russell's entire team, but special mention goes to Yardley, who bowls the ball straight at his opponent's [[strike: body]] head. ''Twice''.
* FightingForAHomeland: A major theme is the deep conflict between the British and the Indians being resolved not with a war, but a simple cricket game.
* FirstGirlWins: Gauri has been in love with Bhuvan since they were children, and he reciprocates her love right before they sing "O Rey Chhori."
* FromTheMouthsOfBabes:
-->'''[[GreenEyedMonster Gauri]]:''' Tell me this, Bhuvan. Why's that White witch ready to help you?\\
'''[[TagalongKid Tipu]]:''' ''(after meeting Elizabeth only once)'' Simple. She took a fancy to brother Bhuvan.
%%* GorgeousPeriodDress
* GreenEyedMonster:
** Lakha is jealous of Bhuvan because they both love Gauri and she only has eyes for Bhuvan. This causes Lakha to act as TheQuisling during the first day of the match, in order to make Bhuvan look bad in front of Gauri and the other villagers. [[HeelFaceTurn He comes to his senses later]].
** {{Downplayed|Trope}} with Gauri, who's jealous of Bhuvan spending time with Elizabeth but doesn't do anything to sabotage their friendship in any way. After Bhuvan assures her that he loves ''her'', she treats Elizabeth much more cordially, to the point where they share a tearful hug when the latter leaves the village with the rest of the British higher-ups.
* HappyRain: Subverted in the beginning after the film's first song "Ghanan Ghanan." Played Straight in the end after the Indian cricket team wins.
* HeartIsWhereTheHomeIs: PlayedWith. When Elizabeth confesses her love to Bhuvan, she does so in English. He doesn't reject her; in reality, he neither understands what she said nor sees her as a LoveInterest anyways. In the very next scene, he tells Gauri (his childhood friend from their village) that he's the man she's going to marry from Guran's fortune. He and Gauri sing about their mutual love in the subsequent song "O Rey Chhori", and the film's ending reveals that they eventually have a splendid wedding.
* ImaginaryLoveTriangle: Gauri anguishes over Bhuvan spending time with Elizabeth, knowing that the Englishwoman is also in love with him. In reality, Bhuvan is completely oblivious to Elizabeth's feelings and merely sees her as his team's cricket teacher. Much to Gauri's joy and relief, Bhuvan has only ever loved ''her''.
* ImprovisedTraining: The inexperienced Indian cricket team chases chickens and the like. Half of their special skills originate from ordinary tasks that they do in their day jobs too.
* KickTheDog: In Russell's first appearance, he shoots a rabbit just to make a point. This is after he made Bhuvan believe that he was going to shoot ''him''.
* LargeHam: Guran is pretty much the Indian version of Creator/BrianBlessed. He has NoIndoorVoice, a beard that would make [[Literature/HarryPotter Hagrid]] proud, and most of his dialogue consists of very creatively cursing the British. ''To their faces''. In fact, GURAN deserves the capitalization as much as BLESSED.
* LifeIsntFair: [[EvilBrit Captain Andrew Russell]] puts the Indian villagers in an impossible position -- play a cricket game against an experienced team and win to avoid taxes for the next three years, or lose and pay ''three times that amount''. Elizabeth, his [[WomenAreWiser much more sensible younger sister]], calls him out on this:
-->'''Elizabeth:''' This isn't fair, brother.\\
'''Russell:''' So is life.
* LoveTriangle:
** Bhuvan, Gauri, and Elizabeth. [[TriangRelations Type 4]], as Bhuvan only has eyes for Gauri.
** Gauri, Bhuvan, and Lakha. Also Type 4, as Gauri only loves Bhuvan.
* MagneticHero: {{Downplayed|Trope}} with Bhuvan. He's already friendly with everyone in his village, but it takes more than half the movie for him to convince ten other men to come together and become a cricket team. Also, while Bhuvan is friendly towards Lakha, it's ''not'' mutual--Lakha hates him because they both love Gauri and she only loves Bhuvan. [[HeelFaceTurn He comes around towards the end]].
* TheMeanBrit: Russell is pretty unlikeable for the most part.
* MiracleRally: What happens after the first day of the game. 322 runs is a lot of ground to cover.
* MoodWhiplash: During the song "O Rey Chhori", we cut from Bhuvan and Gauri singing in Hindi, as per regular Bollywood, to Elizabeth singing in English. Her lyrics, and the entire setting for them, are very reminiscent of a Disney movie.
* NeverGiveUpSpeech: Or rather, song, in the form of the National Film Award-winning "Mitwa."
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Although Bhuvan is TheHero and by far the MVP of the game, his play is ''not'' flawless. Notably, he bats the ball into Deva's wicket, and pushes the middle-aged doctor Ishwar beyond his endurance limits (each time resulting in a lost wicket).
* OnceUponATime: The film is given the subtitle "Once Upon a Time in India" in international releases.
* OpposingSportsTeam: A bunch of mean, racist British soldiers.
* PetTheDog: Captain Russell's love for his younger sister Elizabeth is one of his few redeeming qualities.
* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: The team of villagers Bhuvan puts together include TheSpeechless drummer (Bagha), a wild FortuneTeller (Guran), the rich guy (Goli), the village doctor and father of Bhuvan's LoveInterest Gauri (Ishwar), a poultry farmer (Bhura), TheBlacksmith (Arjan), a Muslim potter (Ismail), a woodcutter (Lakha), a Sikh former Sepoy (Deva), and the village's crippled Untouchable (Kachra).
* ReassignedToAntarctica: The higher-ups threaten to send Russell to a desert in Central Africa if he loses. ''Ouch''.
* RecycledINSPACE: It's every sports movie you've ever seen, IN COLONIAL INDIA! With SINGING!
* RuleOfThree:
** The stakes of the villagers losing the match are raised from double to triple Lagaan.
** The stakes of the villagers winning the match are raised from cancelling that year's tax, to two years, to three years.
** The match is played over three days.
** Kachra gets three batters out.
* SaveOurTeam: However, instead of a coach, the villagers get the opposing team captain's sister, who helps them learn how to play the game primarily because she has the hots for Bhuvan.
* ShoutOut: On the British cricket roster, you have lieutenants [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson Smith and Wesson]].
* SmallTownRivalry: Bhura and Goli have one of these that stems from Goli's sons pestering Bhura's chickens, and both being too HotBlooded to handle it reasonably. They become FireForgedFriends once they join the Indian cricket team.
* TrainingMontage: Played Straight, but including yoga on mountaintops, in the song "Chale Chalo."
* TrainingThePeacefulVillagers: Sort of, although the villagers already have some knowledge of cricket, having played a similar Indian game as children.
* TypeCaste: The villagers threaten to quit the team entirely just because Bhuvan wants Kachra, an Untouchable who can [[DisabilitySuperpower spin the ball when bowling]], to join the team as their eleventh and final member. Bhuvan touches the Untouchable and then lectures the villagers until they relent.
* UnderdogsNeverLose: Naturally.
* WelcomeBackTraitor: Lakha performs a HeelFaceTurn and Bhuvan lets him back on the team.
----
