Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India

A bunch of rag-tag villagers beat the English in a game of cricket in Ashutosh Gowariker's sprawling epic which changed the way Hindi movies were made.

An involving, easily digestible hunk of pure entertainment that could be the trigger for Bollywood's long-awaited crossover to non-ethnic markets.

Few recent American musicals are this fluid or engaging.

With an equally stunning soundtrack, this rollicking yarn is a must for all film lovers.

A great big Bollywood musical, complete with song and dance and doomed love triangles and elegantly photographed men playing cricket. And it's terrific fun, in a way that only great big musical fantasies can be.

After having seen this Cinemascope extravaganza in a theater, on DVD and video, I still think the big screen experience is worth it.

Deviating starkly from Bollywood's usual production of romantic dramas that reigned dominant during the 2000s, this period piece is a landmark film in Indian cinema that captivates with epic storytelling, electric dialogue, and intense action.

The movie is a must-watch for the very fact that it covers a period of time not often seen in films, and — albeit in a roundabout way — addresses the inequality of colonial rule in India.

One of Hindi cinema's greatest underdog tales, a powerful script, impressive execution and an unforgettable soundtrack from A R Rahman...

Will be the film all others in Bollywood are judged against, in terms of both creativity and success.