Sukanya Verma in Mumbai

March 24 is a big day.

Aamir Khan's debut production Lagaan competes for Best Foreign Language Film with four internationally acclaimed films: Amelie (France), No Man's Land (Bosnia), Son Of The Bride (Argentina) and Elling (Norway) at the 74th Annual Academy Awards.

The venue: Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles.

India is rooting for Lagaan all the way. Released on June 15, 2001, Lagaan completes nine months and ten days at packed cinema houses.

At a special morning show held on Sunday, March 24 at Mumbai's Novelty cinema, fans of Lagaan and Aamir Khan thronged in full force. Under heavy security, the theatre organised a special band playing the Lagaan's theme music (composed by A R Rahman). The band played on for four hours non stop even as Lagaan was being screened inside the cinema hall.

A few of Lagaan's unit members were present to celebrate the film's nomination at the Oscars: Amin Hajee (Lakha), Rajesh Vivek (Guran), Dayashankar Pandey (Goli), Pradeep Rawat (Deva), Suhansini Mulay (Bhuvan's Mai), Aditya Lakhia (Kachra) and [distributor] Shringar Film's Shyam Shroff and the screenplay writers Kumar Dave and Sanjay Dayma.

"I have sent my son to win the Oscar," said a beaming Suhasani Mulay, who plays Aamir's mother in the film.

"Lagaan will win the Oscar. The entire country and its wishes are with Lagaan, Aamir and Ashutosh. Go get the Oscar!" echoed the Lagaan team heroes in unison.

There was even a collective prayer session for Lagaan when the entire team came up on the dais during the intermission and stood in silence for eleven seconds.

There is not a dull moment in the hall. Audience participation is evident with the constant clapping, whistling and catcalls. Almost every scene receives is greeted with deafening applause. Like when the strategic point of the film happens and Captain Russell (Paul Blackthorne) challenges Bhuvan to a match of cricket to be freed of dugna lagaan (double tax).

While the camera anxiously focuses on the pensive expressions of Aamir Khan, the audience add in their bit. 'Haan bol [Say yes]', 'Manjur hai [I accept]', 'Bol Bhuvan bol [Say, Bhuvan, say]', they scream.

The scene when Aamir shows the reluctant villagers the finer nuances of batting also was a huge hit. The thrilling climax, of course, had every member in the hall on the edge of their seats.

Heroine Gracy Singh's impressive dancing and Aamir's Eleven's antics evoke major responses too.

Countless cricket matches have been played in India. None quite as dramatic and memorable as Lagaan -- whether it was getting the proud Englishmen all out for a whopping 323 on the first day or settling for a abysmal 99 for 4 by the Lagaan XI on the day after or man of the match Bhuvan (Aamir) emerging victorious by hitting a historical sixer.