Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India Christian Review
There’s something uniquely exhilarating about a film that seems simple on the surface but, the more you sit with it, reveals layers of complexity. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India is that kind of movie. On the face of it, it’s a classic underdog sports film—villagers take on their oppressive British rulers in a game of cricket to win their freedom from crushing taxes. But this isn’t just any sports drama. It’s nearly four hours long, a musical at heart, and set in the heart of colonial India, where every decision is laden with political, social, and even spiritual implications.
This is a story that knows how to entertain, with lively music, colorful characters, and plenty of cricketing action, but there’s also a deeper current flowing through it, one that speaks to ideas of justice, perseverance, and the power of community. And as a Christian, watching Lagaan stirred up reflections on these timeless themes through the lens of faith, particularly how God’s heart is for the oppressed and how perseverance in the face of impossible odds is at the core of the Christian walk.
Oppression and Justice: A Biblical Parallel
At the heart of Lagaan is the struggle for justice. It’s set in a rural village where the farmers are struggling to pay their taxes (lagaan) to the British rulers. The taxes are exorbitant, and the drought-stricken land isn’t producing enough crops to cover what they owe. The villagers are desperate for relief, and when they approach the British commander to ask for mercy, he gives them a cruel, impossible deal: defeat his men in a game of cricket—a game the villagers have never even played—and they won’t have to pay the tax. If they lose, however, their taxes will be tripled.
Right here, you can’t help but feel the biblical echoes. The unjust, arrogant British officers remind me of Pharaoh in Exodus, who burdened the Israelites with harsh labor and refused to let them go. The villagers’ cry for justice mirrors the cries of oppressed people throughout Scripture, from the Israelites in Egypt to countless other moments where God steps in to lift up the downtrodden.
Throughout the Bible, we see that God’s heart is always for the oppressed. Psalm 82:3 commands us to “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” And in Lagaan, the villagers embody that call—they’re not looking to overthrow their rulers by force, but they seek justice, and they’re willing to fight for it, albeit in a completely unexpected way. This fight for justice, for fairness in the face of overwhelming odds, is a reflection of the biblical idea of standing up for what’s right, even when the odds seem impossible.
A Community United: Strength in Solidarity
One of the most striking things about Lagaan is how it shows the power of a community united. The villagers are a diverse group—men and women, young and old, from different castes and backgrounds—but they all come together with a shared goal. They put aside their differences and focus on what unites them.
From a Christian perspective, this coming together for the common good feels deeply familiar. 1 Corinthians 12:12 tells us, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” The film embodies this idea of unity, where every person in the village brings something different to the table, and it’s only by working together that they can hope to win their freedom.
This kind of unity, where people come together with one heart and one purpose, is something that the Church is called to. In Lagaan, the stakes are high—it’s not just about winning a game, but about securing their future, their dignity, their survival. In the same way, the Church is called to come together, to be one body working in harmony, to fight for justice, to uplift the oppressed, and to stand as a beacon of hope in a world that often feels divided.
Perseverance in the Face of Impossible Odds
The story of Lagaan is one of perseverance, which is one of the central themes of the Christian life. James 1:12 tells us, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” In the film, the villagers face an impossible challenge: not only do they have to learn how to play cricket—a game that’s entirely foreign to them—but they have to defeat the British soldiers, who are not only experts at the game but are also dismissive and condescending.
The perseverance of the villagers, particularly Bhuvan (Aamir Khan), their leader, is inspiring. He never gives up, even when things seem hopeless. He rallies his fellow villagers, not just with words, but by example. This kind of perseverance, of pushing forward even when the odds are stacked against you, is a reflection of the Christian walk. We are called to press on, to keep the faith, even when things seem impossible.
In the same way that the villagers look to Bhuvan for leadership and encouragement, we, as Christians, are called to look to Christ, who endured the cross for our sake (Hebrews 12:2). It’s a reminder that perseverance is not about gritting our teeth and pushing through on our own—it’s about trusting that God is with us, that He is our strength, and that He will see us through whatever trials we face.
Music, Joy, and the Expression of Hope
One of the unique elements of Lagaan is its musicality. The characters break out into song and dance throughout the film, and while this might feel unfamiliar to Western audiences, it actually mirrors a very biblical tradition of using music to express deep emotions. In the Bible, music is often used to praise God, to express sorrow, and to celebrate victories. The Psalms are full of songs of joy and lament, and David famously danced before the Lord in celebration (2 Samuel 6:14).
In Lagaan, the music and dance numbers serve a similar purpose. They express the villagers’ hopes, their fears, their dreams, and their joys. There’s a sense of release in these moments, a celebration of life and of the unity they’ve found together. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of struggle, there is room for joy, for music, for the expression of hope.
As Christians, we are called to rejoice in the Lord, even in the midst of trials. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” The musical moments in Lagaan are a beautiful reminder of that call to joy, to celebrate the good even when the path is hard.
A Film that Inspires and Entertains
At its heart, Lagaan is a deeply entertaining film. It’s got romance, humor, sports action, and a vibrant musical score by A.R. Rahman. But it’s also a film that speaks to deeper issues—issues of justice, perseverance, community, and hope. As a Christian, it’s hard not to see the parallels between the villagers’ journey and the biblical call to stand up for what’s right, to work together for the common good, and to trust in God’s provision even when the odds seem impossible.
In many ways, Lagaan is a story about faith—faith in each other, in the power of unity, and in the belief that justice will prevail. And in that sense, it’s a film that resonates deeply with Christian values, offering both entertainment and a reflection on the things that matter most.
Rating: 8.5/10
