UNIVERSITY OF DHAKA

Conflict and Resolution Techniques in The Movie

“Lagaan” Submitted to : Mrs. Suraya Begum, Associate Professor,

Dept. of Mass Communication and Journalism , University of Dhaka

Submitted by : Md. Hamza Kamal Mostafa, Roll no -70, 2nd semester, 5th batch, Dept. of Mass Communication and Journalism , University of Dhaka

10/17/2011

Course no : 105

Course name : Interpersonal and Group Communication

Dept. of Mass Communication and Journalism

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Letter of Acknowledge

First of all, I like to thank our honorable course tutor Mrs. Suraya Begum for giving us such a

kind of assignment. It is our regular task to learn the topics which are discussed in the class.

Usually, we are used to practice only theoretical aspect of the topics. We hardly think about the

practical impact of the learnt topics. All of our efforts are to gain smart marks in the

examination. Besides, very often we see various movies. But we see only for amusement, not

for learning from the theme of the movie. We never analyze the different aspects and

perspective of the movie. Through this assignment entitled “Conflict and Resolution Techniques

in the Movie Lagaan”, we learn how to critically analyze the movie and how to see on the basis

of a definite aspect.

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Index

Topics Page

Preface 4

Movie Review 5

Brief Discussion on Conflict and Resolution

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Conflict Scenes in ”Lagaan” 7

More Conflicts 9

Conclusion 10

Bibliography 10

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Preface

In our day to day life, very often we face types of conflicts and we resolve by conscious or sub

conscious process. Sometimes, a few conflicts are not to be resolved. In this assignment, my

task is to draw conflict and resolution techniques on the basis of the movie “Lagaan”. I have

tried with my best for fulfilling the purpose. But it should be noticed that it is my very first time

to have such a kind of task. Therefore, I am not efficient enough to do this and a few unwilling

mistakes due to have less experiences and less knowledge should be considerable.

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Movie Review

Title Lagaan

Subtitle Once upon a time in India

Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker

Produced by Aamir Khan

Story by Ashutosh Gowariker

Narrated by Amitabh Bachchan

Starring Aamir Khan Gracy Singh Rachel Shelley Paul Blackthorne

Music by A. R. Rahman

Editing by Ballu Saluja

Distributed by Aamir Khan Productions

Release date(s) 15 June 2001

Running time 3 hours 44 minutes 7 seconds

Country India

Language Hindi English Bhojpuri Awadhi

Drawn Perspective British Rule in Indian subcontinent in 1893

Story in Brief “Lagaan” is a Hindi word, means land tax. The movie is set in the Victorian period of the British Raj, and revolves around the peasants from a barren village who are oppressed by high taxes imposed by the British. The peasants attempt to persuade the captain to reduce the taxes. He offers them to cancel their taxes for three years if their village team beats the mat cricket. After accepting this proposition, the villagers face the arduous task of learning the game and playing for a result that change their village destiny.

Theatrical release poster

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Brief Discussion on Conflict and Resolution

Conflict

“Conflict is the primary category of sociology.”

“Where there is no conflict, there is no communication.”

Conflict can go wrong or it can be used to improve relationship. Useful and productive conflict

is possible when conflict is appropriate channeled it can contribute to more effective results. An

issue centered form of open discussion and confrontation that uses problem solving methods

to achieve better solutions. Continuous conflict may be resolved by integration, conformity and

cohesion.

The original conflict may flare up again or even escalate. Sometimes conflict may be ended by

asking a few individuals to leave the group.

Conflict Resolution

Larry L. barker said, “Better to say, I hate what you said, than I hate you because you

said it.”

Morton Deutsch, an expert on techniques for resolving conflicts, proposes some other

principles for settling interpersonal conflicts effectively and efficiently.

1. Concentrate on conflicts over small issues rather than larger ones.

2. Recognize the differences in power and ability that exist between participants.

3. Avoid definitions or solutions that threaten the self esteem of the participants.

4. Avoid solutions that ignore important concerns of the participants.

5. Sometimes the best way to handle interpersonal conflicts is to avoid them.

Unfortunately, conflict resolution is not always as easy as these five principles might

suggest.

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Conflict Scenes in “Lagaan”

Indian Vs British

Conflict

After the battle of “Palashi”, the British company holds the power of Indian

subcontinent. They took a high rate of taxes from Indian people. Moreover, they

oppressed the general people. That’s why; mass people didn’t accept them as ruler in

mind at all. It is a impersonal conflict.

Resolution techniques

In this case, resolution would be tough. Afterwards, it might be resolved, if the British

rulers concerned of the civil people and mass people was more flexible to the British.

Through both parties coming forward, it could be into controversy from combat

situation.

Bhuvan Vs Captain Andrew Russell

Conflict

At the very first part of the movie, we see Bhuvan tried to let Captain Russell miss the

target to hunt deer in jungle. After arresting, Bhuvan showed his boldness before

Captain’s weapon. Captain showed his power by saying “Next time I will shoot you.”

Later, beside cricket field, when Bhuvan was engaged in hand to hand struggle with a

British officer, Captain gave attention on him.

At the last scene, both of them expressed aggression through their body language. At

last, it turned into competition in which Bhuvan won and Captain lose. It was a personal

conflict.

Resolution Techniques

The best way to handle this type of interpersonal conflict is to avoid them.

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Captain Andrew Russell Vs Raja Puran Singh

Conflict

Raja Puran Singh was the doll of British’s hand. But he didn’t like Captain Russel in mind

because of his© oppressing mentality. Such as-when Raja told Captain on behalf of jis

people to reduce land tax, Captain imposed the condition on him to eat meat, as Raja

was a vegetarian. On the counterpart, Raja didn’t like Captain in mind. For instances,

when Captain was out in the cricket match, his® intension was to reward the bowler

Bhuvan.

Resolution Techniques

Captain Russell should avoid solutions that threaten the self-esteem of Raja Puran Singh.

When self–esteem is lowered or threatened, people assume a defensive position and

are more willing to fight.

Bhuvan Vs Gauri

Conflict

Here, the conflict had a vital positive impact on the relationship between Bhuvan and

Gauri. Gauri didn’t express her love in words to Bhuvan. But she was very caring to him.

She didn’t tolerate Bhuvan’s any attention to Elizabeth. For that reason, she showed

anger on Bhuvan. Seeing Bhuvan’s concentration to Elizabeth, she said to Bhuvan, ”aaj

baat kahi hum nahi milinge”(from today ,I never meet with you).Through this conflict,

the intensity of intimacy of their relationship was deeper.

Resolution Techniques

The conflict didn’t turn into negative because Bhuvan felt Gauri’s feelings to himself. He

avoided solutions that ignore important concerns of her.

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Elizabeth Vs Gauri

Conflict

Gauri loved Bhuvan. At the time of helping the villagers, Elizabeth was impressed with

Bhuvan’s personality and humanity. By the course of time, she fell in love with Bhuvan.

At a time, she said to Bhuvan, “I am falling love with you.”Gauri felt that.

At the end of the cricket match, when Elizabeth saw that Gauri and Bhuvan was

embracing each other, she was shocked.

Resolution Techniques

In this conflict, both tried to avoid them. In most cases, a problem should be

approached directly, but a problem so deep and complex that it cannot be resolved.

More Conflicts

There were more conflicts seen in the movie”Lagaan”. They were-

Goli Vs Bhura

Captain Russell Vs Ram Singh

Captain Russell Vs Arjan

Bhuvan Vs Elizabeth

Lakha Vs Bhuvan

Captain Russell Vs Elizabeth

Bhuvan Vs Society

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Conclsion

The story is the full of conflicts. Such types of conflicts make the movie more pretty. Most of

the conflicts make positive effect on the story. All of the conflicts never be resolved. Few are

resolved temporarily. Bhuvan is the central character of the movie. He doesn’t very often

conform to the society. That makes conflict. But that was necessary for social welfare. With the

aid of others he resolves many of the conflicts.

Bibliography Communication,Larry L. Barker,P-164 to 165, P-206 to 209

Human Communication, Joseph A. Devito, 7th ed., sixteen units

“Lagaan” Movie

Wikipedia