Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India Page #2

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Good morning, Eliza.

- Good morning.

Your Highness, may I present

my dear sister Elizabeth.

She just arrived from London.

Elizabeth, His Highness,

Raja Puran Singh Chala of Champaner.

It's my rare good fortune

to meet you.

Rajaji, she doesn't know Hindi.

Of course.

Charmed to meet you.

Pleased to meet you,

Your Highness.

Sir.

- Smith.

Elizabeth, I'd like you to meet

my deputy, Lieutenant Patrick Smith.

How do you do, Lieutenant Smith?

- Pleased to meet you.

Gentlemen.

Well, Rajaji.

I am at your service.

My people haven't worshipped

at the Siddheshwar temple...

...for the past three years.

They believe...

...performing puja will end

the hardships they faced last year.

But...

- But...

The temple is in the land ruled

by Raja Diler Singh...

...who is your cousin and enemy.

And your very dear friend.

I'm sure Diler Singh won't

say no if you talk to him.

No, thank you.

I'm a vegetarian.

I mean vegetarian.

So, what do you think, Captain Russell?

Is it possible?

Well, he could be persuaded.

Your work might be done.

But on one condition.

Condition? Yes, tell me.

Eat the meat, Your Highness.

You eat this meat...

and I'll talk to Diler Singh.

As I told you,

I'm a vegetarian.

I am a vegetarian!

Just one piece of meat.

You eat it

and consider your job done.

Andrew.

Eat the meat.

How's my eating meat

connected to the temple?

It's not connected.

I just want to see

you eating meat.

To do my duty,

I can't be false to my religion.

I'm sorry.

All right then.

You'll have to pay me double tax.

Double Lagaan...!?

Look, Rajaji!

Last year, I agreed to cut

the tax by half at your request.

And delayed, at that.

You have to clear the arrears

this year. So, double tax.

But it hasn't rained yet.

The British Raj doesn't bathe

in India's rains, Rajaji.

Rain or no rain.

I must maintain this Cantonment.

The army costs money.

It has to be paid, fed and clothed...

...for your protection.

How will the farmers pay?

Come on, Rajaji.

It's only double the tax.

And moreover...

...you don't eat meat, right?

Hey, Arjan.

What's Bagha so thrilled about?

I can't understand either.

It must surely be

something special.

Hey, Bagha!

What are you beating that drum for?

Clouds!

Dark and dense...

Dark and dense

come the swirling clouds

Darkly dense

roar the spreading clouds

The clouds'thunderous sting

reverberates

Oh, look!

How lethally does lightning flash

The clouds make my heart race

The clouds make every heart race

O black cloud!

Pour down rain

O black cloud!

Pour down rain

Not lightning's flashy sword

wield the arrows of raindrops

The spreading clouds

bring rain in their wake

Swirling darkly

the clouds come

My leaping heart says

Dance with joy

Our days are transformed

Step out of the house

The clouds will

rain down nectar

Gone are days of hardship

Sing the melodies of monsoon

Dark and dense

come the swirling clouds

Darkly dense

roar the spreading clouds

When joyous rain pours

Who then will remain athirst!

The koel will sing

perched on the parapet

The songbirds will sing

Of the new days that are to come

Light shall smile at darkness

Love's rain will drench

hearts and bodies

On the earth

Oh, see, water's mirror

Wherever you go

You will see everywhere

This one splendid sight

The earth here wears

a rainbow-hued veil

Hang swings on the trees

and stretch your legs high

O black cloud!

Pour down rain

Not lightning's flashy sword

wield the arrows of raindrops

Now comes the intoxicating season

To spread a carpet of green

Bringing along

the season of rain

Anklets of lightning

adorn her dancing feet

The cloud is her veil

The season comes to bedeck

this bridal earth

Every bough will wear

a bracelet of blossoms

Joy will now rain

upon every courtyard

Now every bud will bloom

Every path will ring

with laughter now

The wafting breeze

makes the season balmy

Doused is the scorching heat

burning body and soul

O black cloud!

Pour down rain

Dark and dense

come the swirling clouds

Darkly dense

roar the spreading clouds

The clouds'thunderous sting

reverberates

Oh, look!

How lethally does lightning flash

Oh! Dear God!

We celebrated too soon.

One can't say

what God is punishing us for.

There'll be no rain this year too.

Bloody lunatic.

Always says inauspicious things!

- Black-tongued wretch!!

Hear! Hear this proclamation.

Orders of Raja Puran Singh,

your liege and master.

This year, you shall pay twice

the regular amount...

...of wheat, rice and maize.

The order of double Lagaan will

apply to the whole province.

How can this be possible!

- This is tyranny!

Double Lagaan!

Demon! Why don't you just skin

us alive, and be done with it!

Our plight isn't hidden from the Raja.

Even then, double Lagaan!

What wrong have we done?

Why should we pay double?

We didn't pay tax on time last year.

And we paid only half.

But, father, it was Rajaji who waived it

because it didn't rain.

Sweets one year and

abuse the next!

It means we're being punished

for it now! Well done, Rajaji!!

Quiet, Lakha!

I won't hear one word against

our Rajaji.

He and his ancestors have

protected us all these years.

So? Was that any favour?

It's the tree's duty to shelter.

All I want to know is...

How long'll hungry stomachs

sing his praise! Fill his coffers!

Try and understand, Arjan.

This demand is the doing

of those damn White Sahibs.

Whether we put it into

the right hand or the left...

...it's we who pay, Chief!

I say we all go to the palace

and talk to him.

He's seen these clouds as well.

We'll say we can't pay Lagaan

this year. Not a grain!

What if Rajaji refuses even

after hearing us out?

Then all the separate fingers

will close into a fist, Chief.

Meaning? You'll fight?

If it's necessary, even that.

Have you gone crazy!

If you offend Rajaji...

...not only you - we will

all be ruined!

Is your life now all joy and comfort?

Aren't you suffering?

Whatever happens, I won't let

the whole village come to harm.

What do you want?

Sell our homes? Our cattle?

Even ourselves?

What justice is it to demand

double Lagaan?

Come on, Benson.

Pitch it up a bit.

Running.

Chief, there's our Rajaji.

Hey! Where're you going?

Please, brother, we've got to meet

His Highness. It's most urgent.

All right.

But the game is going on.

Sit here. You must wait till

the game gets over.

All of you sit down.

What are they playing?

God knows what

these Feringhees are playing.

It's rather like our game of

Gilli-Danda, you know.

Why're these Whitey buffoons

playing a kid's game then?

Any clouds up there?

Wasn't that a wonderful shot?

You are not supposed

to touch the ball.

Bloody darkie!

Arrest him!

Long live Your Highness.

What are you people doing here?

Forgive us, Your Highness.

We came to meet you,

not to see their silly stupid game.

We are desperately worried and

this Feringhee just hits Bhura!

I didn't like what you said.

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