Production Country: India
Production Year: 2005
Original Title: The Rising – Ballad of Mangal Pandey
Directed by: Ketan Mehta
Cast: Aamir Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Amisha Patel, Toby Stephens, Kiron Kher
Genre: History Epic, Drama, Social Criticism, Love Story
Medium Format: 1 DVD-9
Languages: English/Hindi (International Version, DD 5.1), German (DD 5.1)
Subtitles: German
Menu Languages: German
Picture Format: 2.35:1 (Scope)
Video Format: PAL 4:3
Running Time (Main Feature): 146 Min.
Supplements: Trailer Gallery
Language of Supplements: German
Subtitles of Supplements: –
Video Format of Supplements: PAL 4:3
Packing: Amaray (Plastic)/Carton Slipcase

Film Information

1857 AD. The entire Indian sub continent is ruled by the British East India Company, the most successful business enterprise in history. A truly colonial enterprise, it follows its own commercial and administrative laws, arrogating the right to pillage and exploit the country's natural and human resources with total impunity. In order to control the population, it creates its own army, composed of native soldiers, Hindus and Muslims, who are called "sepoys". The Company controls the destiny of one fifth of humanity.

During a fierce battle in one of the Afghan wars that the Company fought in the mid-century, Mangal Pandey (Aamir Khan), the heroic sepoy, saves the life of his British commanding officer William Gordon (Toby Stephens). Gordon is indebted to Mangal and a strong friendship develops between them, transcending consideration of rank and race.

The friendship is soon challenged by the introduction of a new rifle called the Enfield. The new rifle has come with a new cartridge which is rumoured to be coated with the grease of cow and pig fat. The new cartridge has to be bitten before it is loaded, which ignites anger and resentment among the Indian sepoys. The cow is sacred to the Hindus, the pig forbidden to the Muslims. They will not touch such a kartoos (gun cartridge), it would defile them.

Mangal Pandey becomes the leader of the rebellion, although he has to sacrifice his relationship to the beautiful courtesan Heera (Rani Mukherjee) and his friendship with Captain William Gordon.

FILM INFORMATION. Set in one of the most beautiful countries on earth, told across the divides of time, THE RISING tells the tale of friends, lovers and enemies, exploiters and exploited, and the growth and awareness of a man and a nation. It is a story of one man and his dream of freedom. This sweeping epic is based on real historical events, seen as a trigger for Indian independence.

THE RISING – Ballad of Mangal Pandey is an epic tale of friendship, betrayal, love and sacrifice set against the backdrop of what the British called the sepoy mutiny but which for the Indians was the First War of Independence. "Company Raj" as it was known, had been plundering the country, treating the locals unjustly and causing widespread resentment. After a hundred years of subjugation, the Indian consciousness is rising through the revolutionary prospect of change and self-rule.

Besides the thrilling and moving story, THE RISING draws a breathtaking, beautiful picture of "classic India": Colorful, with impressing costumes and scenography of Indian palaces and cities of the mid-19th century. The great soundtrack, influenced by classical Indian music, was created by the famous composer A.R. Rahman, who also is accountable for the stirring LAGAAN soundtrack.