Pramatesh Mehta

Ashutosh Gowariker's epic historical romance Jodhaa Akbar tells the story of how the Mughal emperor Akbar found his match in the princess he marries for political reasons. In order to convince the Rajputs that he was worthy of their fealty, the shrewd leader Akbar marries their princess, Jodhaa. Soon he develops true feeling for the woman, who feels no need to consider herself inferior in any way to her husband. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

One of the most expensive films ever to come out of Bollywood, Lagaan tells the tale of the Indian village Champaner, beset by drought and British colonialism in the year 1893. Without a drop of rain in months, the worried villagers of Champaner decide to ask the local authorities for a temporary repeal of their taxes -- the hated lagaan. Led by the heroic Bhuvan (Indian superstar Aamir Khan) they bring their plight to the military governor, Captain Russell (Paul Blackthorne). But the sadistic Russell threatens to raise the lagaan threefold, unless the villagers can beat his men at a game of cricket, in which case he'll lift taxes on the entire province for a period of three years. Bhuvan accepts the challenge, but there's a problem -- no one in Champaner knows how to play cricket. A band of misfits come to the rescue, coached by Russell's soft-hearted sister Elizabeth (Rachel Shelley), and the race is on to be ready in three months' time. An epic reworking of Victory with eye-popping song-and-dance routines, Lagaan was a major cinematic event in India upon its release. ~ Connor McMadden, All Movie Guide