When Lagaan released nearly 25 years ago, the buzz around the film was unprecedented. The sports drama clashed at the box office with Sunny Deol’s Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, and what followed was one of Bollywood’s most memorable box-office battles, with both films emerging as massive successes. Lagaan’s unique blend of cricket, patriotism and emotion struck a chord with audiences. The climax, where the villagers of Champaner defeat the British in a high-stakes cricket match against all odds, drew thunderous applause, whistles and cheers in theatres across the country. But while Indian audiences celebrated the ending, the British actors playing the colonial team reportedly weren’t too thrilled—largely because many of them were accomplished cricketers in real life. When British actors were unhappy with Lagaan climax In his book The Spirit of Lagaan, production executive Satyajit Bhatkal revealed that the off-screen rivalry between the Indian and British cast became very real during the shoot. “The script forces the Brits to lose and they know there isn’t a thing they can do about it. This has injured …