20 Years of 'Lagaan' and 'Gadar- Ek Prem Katha': History v History

`Lagaan` and `Gadar` Posters, Picture Courtesy/Midday Archives

"If Gadar and Lagaan can do well on the same day, two films can easily co-exist on the same day," is a statement we often hear from the film industry people when two films release together. But not every films are ‘Lagaan' and ‘Gadar.' Not every successes are like ‘Lagaan' and ‘Gadar.' Can you imagine any film with any remote chances to survive before ‘Baahubali: The Conclusion?

Ashutosh Gowariker and Anil Sharma's films, which complete two glorious decades today, are quite in common. They both are historical sagas, they both narrate the tales of people challenged by circumstances, they both fight for what rightly belongs to them, and take on major oppositions with courage. Their decisions at first face outright rejections, and we feel a sense of defeat for them. But Hindi Cinema being aspirational and audacious, allows both Bhuvan (Aamir Khan) and Tara Singh (Sunny Deol) to embark on this hurdle alone.

As their journey progresses, their support grows and valour quadruples. India had tense and complex relations with both the British and the neighbouring nation Pakistan in these films. In ‘Lagaan', a cocky, conniving Captain Russel puts his false pride and the fate of the villagers of Champaner in jeopardy over a game of cricket. Bhuvan agrees, the others look at him with anger and resentment.

In ‘Gadar', Tara and Sakina (Ameesha Patel) fall in love during the most traumatic era of Indian history, the Partition. This love story receives hate and blood from both nations. When Sakina is taken back to Pakistan, Tara travels all the way to get her back. The real conflict in this film is religion, and Anil Sharma, with immense help from provocative punchlines and jingoistic jarring, achieves what he aspires for, a thunderous roar from the audiences. Who cares about subtlety when you have Deol's fists capable of uprooting an entire hand-pump?

It went on to become one of the biggest hits the nation ever saw, and perhaps will ever see. It became bigger than everything else that happened in 2001, in terms of music, writing, overall storytelling. ‘Lagaan' was no less cathartic. A simple tale of inspiring and idiosyncratic villagers suddenly transformed into a sports drama where cricket becomes much more than just a game. This is a battle Bhuvan and his team ought to triumph.

The loudest cheers could be heard the moment the game began. In arguably what remains the most entertaining and euphoric test match, the underdogs defeated and demolished the unbeatable. The last shot of Bhuvan knocking the ball out of the park is exactly what this drama did, it did knock it out of the park. It changed the landscape of filmmaking, language, and the way characters were written. It doesn't really matter who made more money, both these blockbusters made history. Anything involving cricket and country can seldom go wrong.

Also Read: Aamir Khan celebrates 18 years of Lagaan; posts heartfelt message