If you hadn’t caught up with it yet – Bollywood is basically the Hindi version of Hollywood and it really doesn’t bother trying to cover up their lack of creative originality. Bollywood is filmed with remakes or blatant copies of famous Hollywood movies, but they just get that extra Bollywood sauce we all love to hate (or hate to love?)
Join me as we dive deep into the Bollywood remakes that are based on some classic Hollywood movies.
Sangharsh (1999) – The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
You’d think nobody would dare mimic Anthony Hopkins’ performance as Hannibal Lecter, but then you didn’t know about Bollywood. And you know what – it isn’t even a half bad movie. It’s got some good acting in it and it manages to keep up the suspense.
Kaante (2002) – Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Just imagine being an unknown Bollywood movie director and thinking you’ll just get started on that remake of one of the best Tarantino movies ever. What’s the worst that could happen? Luckily, this movie wasn’t a carbon copy and just took some heavy inspiration from Tarantino’s work. It would’ve probably tanked otherwise.
Partner (2007) – Hitch (2005)
I’m not sure if even the Hollywood version warranted being made, but at least in Bollywood they figured it was a proper film. And while Hitch did have some comedy – this was before Kevin James was bad – the Bollywood version manages to maintain most of the original’s charm.
Bang Bang (2014) – Knight And Day (2010)
Knight and Day wasn’t really the most memorable Hollywood movie out there, so I’m pretty sure the Bollywood remake isn’t going to win any Oscars either. It’s still a pretty enjoyable action movie with some comedy and romance in it, though. The Bollywood version sadly doesn’t have Tom Cruise in it. I’m sure it’s a budget thing.
God Tussie Great Ho (2008) – Bruce Almighty (2003)
Silly comedy movies to match the Bollywood aesthetic and cinematography like it’s nobody’s business, so remaking a Jim Carrey flick was bound to happen sooner or later. Sadly, God Tussie Great Ho was – how do I put this nicely – not really appreciated by Indian audiences, so unlike its Hollywood counterpart they never made an unnecessary spin off.
Kyon Ki (2005) – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Look, when you’re trying to remake Cuckoo’s Nest, you know you’re not going to even end up anywhere near the original. No one could, and no one should. That being said, Kyon Ki is a decent enough attempt to do the things Cuckoo’s Nest did 30 years earlier.
Players (2012) – The Italian Job (1969)
Like many movies before it, this movie is the perfect example of a successful Hollywood movie not really making too much of a dent in Bollywood. While the remake followed the storyline of the original almost to a T, the movie simply couldn’t live up to the expectations of the original.
