Last month, Lagaan became the first Bollywood production to score an Oscar nomination — eventually losing out to Bosnia’s “No Man’s Land” — and became the first Indian DVD to be released on a major Western label.

“Lagaan,” which debuted last year, combines the action, music and romance of Bollywood to depict a 19th century cricket match between British soldiers and Indians, staged to decide whether Indians had to pay a tax.

Bollywood has become a serious contender at box offices throughout the world, according to Shyam Shah, a veteran of Indian films since 1980. And “Lagaan” is reaping the rewards of ever-increasing worldwide interest in Bollywood.

Recent years have seen Indian films open successfully in Southeast Asia, Africa, Great Britain and the United States.

“Lagaan,” a financial blockbuster in India, did well in North America, raking in more than $285,000 from 34 theaters during its opening weekend in July. The $8,400 per-screen average rivals the averages of recent big-budget U.S. releases such as Denzel Washington’s “John Q” ($9,500 per screen) and Britney Spears’ “Crossroads” ($7,100).

In Great Britain, the film brought in more than $130,000 from 24 theaters during its opening weekend, moving into the country’s box office top 10. It ended its five-week limited run with more than $700,000 in box-office revenues, and collected nearly $1 million during its limited-release run in the Unites States.

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