It was on June 15, 2001 when the two iconic Bollywood films released and changed the course of Indian cinema forever. On that day, Anil Sharma’s period drama Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Ashutosh Gowariker’s period drama Lagaan: Once Upon A Time in India hit the big screen. Both films were highly anticipated, and they did not disappoint. Gadar: Ek Prem Katha was a love story set against the backdrop of the India-Pakistan partition. It starred Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel, and it was a massive box office success. The film’s patriotic themes resonated with audiences, and it remains one of the most popular Indian films of all time.
Lagaan: Once Upon A Time in India was a sports drama set in 19th century India. It starred Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh, and it was a critical and commercial success. The film’s message of hope and perseverance struck a chord with audiences, and it won eight Filmfare Awards, including Best Film. Both Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Lagaan: Once Upon A Time in India were groundbreaking films that broke new ground for Indian cinema. They proved that Indian films could be both entertaining and thought-provoking, and they helped to put Indian cinema on the map internationally.
The two films were also released on the same day, which created a unique rivalry between them. Both films were vying for the attention of audiences, and they both ultimately succeeded. Gadar: Ek Prem Katha was the bigger box office hit, but Lagaan: Once Upon A Time in India won more critical acclaim. The release of Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Lagaan: Once Upon A Time in India on the same day is a significant moment in the history of Indian cinema. It marked the beginning of a new era for Indian films, and it showed the world that Indian cinema was capable of producing world-class films.
