Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
Kernel Score: 82% · 624 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Adventure, Drama, History
Released: 2001-06-15
Runtime: 233 minutes
Where to watch Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
- Rent: Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
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 If Bhuvan and his men can defeat Russell's team, the tax will be repealed.
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India parents' guide: ages 6+
Parents need to know that Lagaan is a PG historical sports drama about villagers challenging British colonial rulers to a cricket match to avoid an unfair tax.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Mostly nonviolent, though depicts colonial-era oppression and tension.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
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- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019) — 89%
- Dances with Wolves (1990) — 88%
- The Man Who Would Be King (1975) — 84%
- The Hill (2023) — 88%
- Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) — 83%
- South Park the Streaming Wars (2022) — 79%
Director
Cast
- Aamir Khan as Bhuvan
- Gracy Singh as Gauri
- Rachel Shelley as Elizabeth Russell
- Paul Blackthorne as Captain Andrew Russell
- Suhasini Mulay as Yashoda
- Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Raja Puran Singh Chawla
- Raghubir Yadav as Bhura
- Rajesh Vivek as Guran
- Raj Zutshi as Ismail
- Pradeep Ram Singh Rawat as Deva Singh Sodhi
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India FAQ
Is Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India good?
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India has an 82% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 624 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India?
In the US you can rent it from Google Play and YouTube.
Is Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India OK for kids?
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 6+. Parents need to know that Lagaan is a PG historical sports drama about villagers challenging British colonial rulers to a cricket match to avoid an unfair tax.
What movies are like Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India?
If you liked Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India, try The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Dances with Wolves, The Man Who Would Be King and The Hill.