The film's soundtrack, composed by A. R. Rahman, is an integral part of its success. The songs, such as "Lagaan" and "Koi Ha To Nahin", are iconic and still popular today.
Historically, cricket was used to reinforce social hierarchies. In Lagaan , the sport becomes a democratizing force. The British team is professional, uniformed, and rigidly structured. The Indian team is diverse, disorganized, and plays in dhotis. The visual contrast emphasizes that the peasants’ victory is a triumph of spirit and adaptability over structured imperialism. The final six struck by Bhuvan is a symbolic blow against the Empire, signaling that the Raj is not invincible.