the year is 1882. the british empire is firmly esconced in the fabric of Indian life. our story begins in the small village of champaner, which is reeling under the onset of drought and the crippling weight of the annual tax or 'lagaan' that they must pay.

a chance encounter between local boy bhuvan and the english captain russell, sets off a series of events leading to an unusual challenge between the villagers and the british. will bhuvan and his team manage to win a game of cricket and win freedom from the tax...