so this is a 'bad' film but...

Paheli was a bad choice. Mangal Pandey would have been a better choice. It got glowing reviews from foreign critics, and had all the clasisc Hollywood epic ingredients.
Still wouldnt have been the best choice, but alot better than Paheli. I think.

Infertility is hereditary

I second the sentiment. As a matter of fact, I would characterize The Rising as just the sort of film the Academy loves... sweeping epic with a message. If only Dry White Season had been half as good as Mangal Pandey (which certainly made it to the Academy Awards). I also agree The Rising may very well play better to western audiences than eastern. Between so much of the west being founded in revolt and the striking Christian alegories in this picture, there's plenty for a western audience to identify with. Further, westerners wouldn't get bogged down in the historical accuracy debate... it's a great story and it stands on it's own. It's beyond me why the producers never seriously released it in the US market.

Mangal Pandey was indeed better than Paheli, but don't you'll think Black deserved to go to the Oscars more?

I am glad that this European viewer liked the film.In India Mangal Pandey is one seriously underrated film.As you wrote, dori,that outcast with the broom is a very impt character;also funny and significant.It's really sad when a good film gets less than it deserves.Yes,the director has taken cinematic lisence and twisted history dates around for the sake of drama.But this is historical drama,similar to a historical novel;it's not real history.All that hard work goes to waste simply because some critics and viewers were looking for another Lagaan.A few sensitive Indian reviewers gave the film decent reviews,but most were unnecessarily harsh.The film had its faults[a less than tight screenplay ,certain characters like Emily underdeveloped] but on the whole I and my family and friends loved it.And not just because we are Aamir fans.
I remember reading British critic Mike Marqusee's review-I've kept it,found it:"'The Rising' easily holds its own against the historical epics produced by Hollywood in recent years.It's a better film than 'Braveheart' to which it's been compared in the British media;subtler and far more credible.And although lumbering at times,it's light-footed compared to Troy".
You can read more at www.mikemarqusee.com.The article appeared in 3rd week of August 2005 under title'Low level Rising'
The reason I wrote about this film after all these days was the realization that it was a good film after all and I had been unnecessarily apologetic about liking it.I watched the dvd a couple of days back and enjoyed it again.It is a 2dvd pack,quite a bargain.One dvd has the movie,2nd has the making,deleted scenes,music release,premiere,etc.It shows Aamir cutting a birthday cake with his sword!