Filmmakers in Bollywood often âremakeâ films from the Tamil & Telugu film industries quite blatantly. This is an indisputable fact, that the film-viewing public, especially fans of Bollywood are painstakingly aware of. However, that was not always the case. 

© Bhadrakali Pictures, AA Films

For a really long time actually it was the other way round. Mainstream Bollywood films, especially in the 1970s, the golden age of Hindi cinema, were often remade in the south. However, once the filmmakers of that era hung their hats up, things went haywire for Bollywood. 

© Yash Raj Films, AVM Productions

Caption: Trishul was remade as Mr Bharath in Tamil

That is not to say that modern Bollywood films arenât remade in the south. On the contrary, there are actually quite a few really great Hindi films that have been remade in the Tamil, or Telugu or film industries. Of course, they had their own flavour and nuances, but the plot and the treatment of the plot were copied from the Bollywood originals.

© NH STUDIOZ

Here are 8 films that have been remade in the Southern film industries, simply because, the stories of the film were too good to pass on.

1. Pink

© NH STUDIOZ, S Pictures

Tamil Remake: Nerkonda Paarvai

Pink remains to be probably one of the best films India has made in the last decade. It had some really great performances and was brutally realistic. The story, and the treatment of the plot were certainly the hero of the film. The Tamil remake saw Ajith take up the role of Amitabh Bachchan. Obviously, this one just had to be remade.

2. Delhi Belly

© UTV Motion Pictures

Tamil Remake: Settai

Delhi Belly was a gritty film that pretty much everyone enjoyed thoroughly. This is again, one of those films that had a very strong story and plot, and for a small budget film, it did really well, especially when you consider the fact that there were no grade-A established actors cast in the film. 

3. Pyaar Ka Punchnama

© Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, Maruthi

Telugu Remake: Green Signal

As problematic & misogynistic Pyaar Ka Punchnama has turned out to be over the years, there is no point in denying that when it initially came out, a lot of people genuinely enjoyed the film, and related to the story. The Telugu remake, Green Signal, tried replicating the same but failed, if some people are to be believed.

4. Jolly LLB

© Fox Star Studios

Tamil Remake: Manithan

Jolly LLB was a very endearing film for a number of reasons. It was a collection of amazing performances, a very gripping story, and a brilliantly written script. Arshad Warsi & Boman Irani were just impeccable. The Tamil remake, although not as hilarious, is still a very powerful film. 

5. Kahani

© Viacom 18 Motion Pictures

Telugu Remake: Anaamika

Although Kahani did okay at the box office, it was a phenomenal success on OTT & television. That just goes on to show how well the story was laid out. And then of course, there was Vidya Balanâs performance. The Telugu version of the film is set in Hyderabad, and blends in the cultural nuances that the city of Nizams had to offer. But in every other aspect, it is very close to the Bollywood original.

6. Khosla Ka Ghosla

© UTV Motion Pictures

Tamil Remake: Poi Solla Porom

Khosla Ka Ghosla as a film is simply a class apart. It is a proper comedy while being a very scathing commentary on a number of key, social issues that the common man in India may have to go through. Of course, this one just had to be remade.

7. A Wednesday

© UTV Motion Pictures

Tamil Remake: Unnaipol Oruvan

Telugu Remake: Eenadu

Yeah, A Wednesday was remade by both, the Tamil AND Telugu film industries. Do we really need to tell you why? Without a doubt, it is one of the best films that has been made in India, with a story that deserves to be told in every part of the world that is battling terrorism.

8. 3 Idiots

© Reliance BIG Pictures, Gemini Film Circuit

Tamil Remake: Nanban

For a long, long time, 3 Idiots was considered to be the benchmark of a good Hindi movie, and rightly so. Only very recently did we actually start seeing some of the problematic aspects of the film. But nonetheless, it was a damn funny film, that was also very poignant at times. And then, there was the performance of the film at the box office, and on cable. Of course, this one was going to be remade.

View the full article