20th May 2023, Mumbai: In the Indian film industry, remakes have become increasingly popular, especially between Bollywood and South Indian cinema. Filmmakers have remade popular films from one industry for audiences from one industry to another over the years. These remakes frequently try to capitalise on the success of the original movie while customising it for the target audience’s cultural and linguistic quirks.
Lets delve into the world of Bollywood-South remakes, exploring some iconic examples and analyzing the hits and misfires!
Hits :
“Ghajini” (2008)
Aamir Khan’s “Ghajini” was a Hindi remake of the Tamil film with the same name. The action-packed thriller garnered massive commercial success, thanks to its gripping storyline and Aamir Khan’s stellar performance. The film not only appealed to the Hindi-speaking audience but also introduced them to the intensity of South Indian cinema.
“Drishyam” (2015)
Starring Ajay Devgn, “Drishyam” was a remake of the Malayalam film directed by Jeethu Joseph. The film received critical acclaim for its tight screenplay and remarkable performances. It successfully captivated the Hindi audience with its intriguing plot and suspenseful narrative.
“Kabir Singh” (2019)
“Kabir Singh,” featuring Shahid Kapoor, was a Hindi remake of the Telugu blockbuster “Arjun Reddy.” Despite controversies surrounding its portrayal of toxic masculinity, the film struck a chord with the youth and became a massive hit. Shahid Kapoor’s compelling performance and the film’s emotional rollercoaster resonated with the Hindi-speaking audience.
Misfires :
“Himmatwala” (2013)
Sajid Khan’s “Himmatwala” was a remake of the 1983 hit film of the same name in Telugu. Starring Ajay Devgn, the film failed to recreate the magic of the original. It faced criticism for its weak storyline and over-the-top execution, ultimately leading to its underwhelming performance at the box office.
“Kuselan” (2008)
“Kuselan” was a Tamil film that was remade in Hindi as “Billu” starring Shah Rukh Khan. Despite the star power, the film failed to resonate with the audience due to its weak screenplay and lack of impactful storytelling. The remake couldn’t recreate the success of the original and ended up as a disappointment.
“Tevar” (2015)
“Tevar,” a Hindi remake of the Telugu film “Okkadu,” featured Arjun Kapoor in the lead role. Despite having a well-known source material, the film couldn’t strike a chord with the audience. Poor execution, lackluster screenplay, and an unimpressive adaptation contributed to its failure at the box office.
Bollywood-South remakes have had their share of hits and misses. While some films like “Ghajini” and “Drishyam” successfully captivated the audience with their compelling narratives and solid performances, others like “Himmatwala” and “Tevar” failed to recreate the magic of the originals.
The success or failure of these remakes depends on factors such as the script adaptation, cultural relevance, direction, and the performances of the cast. However, the industry continues to explore this trend as it offers an opportunity to bring diverse stories to a wider audience. Ultimately, the success of a remake lies in striking the right balance between paying homage to the original and infusing fresh elements to captivate the target audience.