In 2001, two iconic Bollywood films released on the same day, June 15 — Gadar: Ek Prem Katha starring Sunny Deol and Lagaan featuring Aamir Khan. Both movies left a lasting impact, but when it came to box office collections, there was a clear winner.

Directed by Anil Sharma, Gadar had a budget of 18 crores and went on to earn a whopping 132.60 crores worldwide, becoming one of the biggest blockbusters of its time. Sunny Deol’s intense performance and the film’s patriotic theme struck a chord with audiences, making it an all-time blockbuster.

Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and produced by Aamir Khan, Lagaan had a larger budget of 25 crores. The film earned 58.05 crores worldwide and was a big hit, earning critical acclaim and even receiving an Academy Award nomination. Its music by AR Rahman and gripping story made it memorable.

Though both films succeeded and are celebrated in Bollywood history, Gadar outperformed Lagaan in box office earnings by a significant margin. Sunny Deol’s Gadar was the bigger commercial hit, while Lagaan gained prestige and international recognition.

This iconic box office clash remains one of the most talked-about moments in Indian cinema history.