25+ Bollywood blockbusters which were actually inspired or copied from Indian films

Today I watched ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’ for the first time, and got indeed surprised to see its plot’s similarity with one of Bollywood’s biggest hits ever, ‘Sholay’. Mera Gaon Mera Desh was released in 1971, and Sholay in 1975, and both the movies registered success. Needless to say, Sholay is heavily inspired by Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and the main plot of both movies remains the same.

Sholay is believed to be inspired by so many Hollywood films. But still, we can’t remain blindfolded to the fact that many of its scenes are heavily inspired by the Dharmendra-Asha Parekh starrer, and more surprising facts are villains’ screen names are almost the same. Quite a coincidence, Dharmendra plays the lead role in both, that too a naughty avatar teasing the heroine. Amputee Thakur, an ex-prisoner hero and a village belle heroine – there are many striking similarities between the two.

A thought struck in my mind – how many Bollywood blockbusters have been born that were inspired or copied from Indian and foreign films! A few of them were credited, while the majority never were, though they truly deserve it. So let us try to find some such blockbusters. I have excluded inspirations drawn from Hollywood and other foreign language films; kindly excuse.

25+ Blockbusters of Bollywood inspired or copied from Indian films

In this list, movies are mainly classified into three sections based on the era in which their remakes were made.

Classic Era of Bollywood (1950s – 1970s)

1. Sholay vs. Mera Gaon Mera Desh

I would like to begin with Sholay, perhaps the most popular movie among Indian audiences. Mera Gaon Mera Desh was directed by Raj Khosla, and starred Dharmendra, Asha Parekh and Vinod Khanna in lead roles. Only a few actors have started off playing negative roles and later earned success playing leading roles, and Vinod Khanna is the leading name among all. The success of the movie gave him an early break, though his antagonist character Jabbar Singh can never be matched with Gabbar Singh, played by Amjad Khan for Sholay. Gabbar Singh of Sholay is the most celebrated villain Bollywood screen has ever witnessed, no doubt.

Dharmendra played the lead role in both films, and owns almost same shade in both. A petty-thief who spends in jail, he was hired by a Thakur to work in village. Only difference is Amitabh Bachchan plays a parallel lead in Sholay. Dacoits looting and killing villagers and how hero/heroes manage to kill the antagonist form the crux of the story. Teasing the village belle heroine, teaching her how to use a gun, killing of a boy, tossing a coin to take decision, abduction of its heroine and the iconic “Kitne Atmi The” scenes of Sholay were inspired or copied from Mera Gaon Mera Desh. There are many more inspirations which can be tagged ‘direct lift’. Read in detail.

The plot has inspired many Bollywood production ventures later, either a direct lift or true inspiration. Shah Rukh Khan-Sridevi starrer Army, a revenge drama released in 1996, too was reported to be inspired by Sholay. But the film flopped at the box office.

2. Mother India vs. Aurat

Both the movies were directed by Mehboob Khan. Made for the first time in 1940, the director was not satisfied in its making and he gave a second try. Mother India starring Nargis Dutt became more successful than its predecessor and also bagged a nomination at the Academy Awards. Needless to say, Mother India (1957) is widely regarded as one of the finest films ever made on the Indian screen, and it became more successful than Aurat.

3. Ram Aur Shyam vs. Seeta Aur Geeta & Chaalbaaz

There are a series of movies which fall in this line. Dilip Kumar starrer Ram Aur Shyam was a blockbuster, and so are its remakes with gender reversals – Seeta Aur Geeta & Chaalbaaz, which gave major breaks and the first Filmfare awards to both Hema Malini and Sridevi. All these movies have lead actor playing twins, one being so silent and scary while the second one being arrogant, bold and funny character too. Anil Kapoor starrer Kishen Kanhaiya also belongs to the same tag, and was a commercial hit.

4. Julie vs. Chattakari

Julie is one of the early successful remakes from Malayalam cinema. The movie also grabbed the attention of many for its bold subject (pregnancy before marriage) which was a taboo in the 1970s. The original movie with the title – Chattakari (based on a novel with the same name authored by Pamman, known for writing soft porn stories) was repeatedly made to several languages, including Hindi version. Lakshmi reprised the titular role in most of the remakes including Hindi, and was one of the bold themes explored in Indian cinema till then. Despite getting a major break in Bollywood, Lakshmi continued with south Indian movies, and only made a re-entry to Bollywood with Priyadarshan’s Hulchul, where she reprised the iconic role of Philomena played in the original. 

5. The Train vs. Cochin Express

The Train was released in 1970, an era when Rajesh Khanna magic has just begun. It is the remake of the 1967 Malayalam movie Cochin Express starring Prem Nazir, and the movie has been remade to rest three south Indian languages before it got released in Hindi. Aap Ki Kasam is yet another Rajesh Khanna film, inspired from Malayalam film – Vazhve Mayam.

Transition Period (1980s-1990s)

6. Woh Saat Din vs. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Manmarziyan

Woh Saat Din released in 1983 gave a major break to the acting career of newcomer Anil Kapoor. He was paired with Padmini Kolhapure for this romantic triangle, which closes with Naseeruddin Shah, who played the husband. The movie was not an original one, but a remake of 1981 hit film, Antha Ezhu Naatkal, which literally translates as Woh Saat Din. The movie later inspired the main plot of 1990s modern classic love story, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Both movies were commercial hits, yet Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam has an upper hand over the original, where the roles were reprised by Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgan respectively. Almost two decades later, Manmarziyan starring Vicky Kaushal, Tapsee Pannu and Abhishek Bachchan also shared the same plot, and the movie was critically acclaimed. 

7. Hera Pheri vs. Ramji Rao Speaking

Priyadarshan’s Hera Pheri was not a huge blockbuster when it got released in 2000, but was a box office hit, and revived the careers of Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal. But this comedy film achieved cult status in the following year. The movie is the official remake of Malayalam film, Ramji Rao Speaking – the debut film of duo directors, Siddique-Lal. Akshay Kumar has played lead hero in many remakes of south Indian films, and I would like to mention their names. As of now, Akshay Kumar appeared in 9 remakes from Malayalam films of which Heyy Baby, Garam Masala, Houseful 2, Bhool Bhulayya and De Dana Dan were box office hits. Click here to read the post in detail.

8. Ek Duuje Ke Liye vs. Maro Charitra

Both Telugu and Hindi versions were directed by K. Balachander, and Kamal Hassan played lead roles in both. Kamal marked his Bollywood debut with this tragic love story, and movie’s huge success gave him a big break to Bollywood. Kamal Hassan went on to star yet another popular love story, Saagar costarring Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia. Soon after the success of Saagar, though there were speculations that he will become the top actor of Bollywood, he concentrated his acting career towards South Indian language films.

9. Devdas vs. Devdas

Based on Bengali novel, authored by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Devdas has been explored by different language directors multiple times, perhaps a record on Indian screen. This celebrated novel has fascinated filmmakers for decades, and owns more than 14 remakes since 1928. Among Hindi versions, Dilip Kumar starrer is regarded as timeless classic, while Shah Rukh’s version is the highest grosser among all. Whenever a debate on Devdas is made, comparisons are drawn between the performances of Dilip Kumar and Shah Rukh in the respective versions, and Dilip Kumar’s version has an upper hand. Its modern version, Dev D, also met with critical and commercial success.

10. Hum Apke Hain Kaun vs. Nadiya Ke Paar

After Sholay, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun remains the most successful remake ever witnessed on Bollywood screen (if inflation figures are adjusted). Hum Apke Hain Kaun is one of the biggest hits ever, and still loved by millions of Madhuri & Salman fans. It’s indeed strange to know that it’s a remake of Rajshri Productions’ own hit film of 1982, Nadiya Ke Paar.

The remake was given a fresh treatment and is the most successful remake of the production house. Since the 1990s, they have remade their old classic hits, but none can beat the remake of Nadiya Ke Paar. Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon from Chitchor and Ek Vivaah… Aisa Bhi from Tapasya couldn’t repeat the success streak. In a true sense, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun is truly rooted in Indian culture & traditions, and in any sense, never appears to be a remake.

11. Virasat vs. Thevar Magan

Anil Kapoor has starred in successful remakes from south Indian films, of which Virasat was highly appreciated. He reprised the memorable role played by Kamal Hassan for Tamil. My Wife’s Murder is yet another highly acclaimed film – remake of Madhyanam Hathya, a Telugu film, but a box office failure. Anil Kapoor’s Judai, Nayak (for which he earned National award), Ladla, Beta, Andaz, Jamai Raja, Bewafa (average hit), Biwi No: 1 and No Entry are remakes of south Indian films. Badhai Ho Badhai, Gharwali Baharwali, Bulandi etc were flops made from south Indian flicks.

12. Chachi 420 vs. Avvai Shanmugi

Kamal Hassan starred in the titular role in both Tamil and Hindi versions, and his role as an old woman in the comedy film received a warm welcome from critics and audience alike. Tabu played his female lead in Hindi version, while Meena in Tamil version. Actually the plot is inspired from Hollywood film Mrs. Doubtfire (1993). The movie also marked directorial debut of this legendary actor.   

13. Biwi No: 1 vs. Sathi Leelavathi

Salman-Karishma starrer Biwi No: 1 released during 1999 Cricket World Cup was the biggest blockbuster of the year. Anil Kapoor and Tabu played extended cameo roles. Biwi No: 1 is the remake of Tamil film, Sathi Leelavathi. Kamal Hassan played a cameo role in the original version, later reprised by Anil Kapoor.

14. Raja Hindustani vs. Jab Jab Phool Khile

And last but not the least, the biggest blockbuster of the year 1996, and a milestone movie in the respective careers of Aamir Khan and Karishma Kapoor – Raja Hindustani. Only a few star kids actors have got the opportunity to star in the remakes of classic hits done by elder members of their family, and Karishma got it for the movie which made her granduncle Shashi Kapoor a rising star of Bollywood – Jab Jab Phool Khile. She reprised the role played by Nanda while Shashi’s role was played by Aamir Khan in the remake. It’s not surprising that both the movies became huge hits at box office.

15. Judwa vs. Hello Brother

Hindi flick Hello Brother starred three Khan brothers including Salman Khan. But it’s not the same film I am talking about. There was one Telugu film titled Hello Brother starring Nagarjuna, and the movie was remade to David Dhawan with Salman Khan playing dual roles. The movie was a smash hit in the late-1990s. Most recently David Dhawan remade the film titled Judwaa-2 in 2017, and his son Varun Dhawan reprised Salman Khan’s role as twin brothers. The movie surpassed the success of Telugu and Salman’s Hindi version.

16. Beta vs. Enga Chinna Rasa

Anil Kapoor’s version is a remake of Tamil flick, Enga Chinna Rasa. Directed by Indra Kumar, the film went on to become the highest grosser of 1992. The sizzling chemistry between Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit was highly appreciated. The movie remade to several languages has yet another version released in the 1960s – 1969 Kannada movie – Mallammana Pavada, 1955 Telugu movie Ardhangi, and Hindi versions – Bahurani in 1963 and Jyoti in 1981.

New Generation Movies (2000s- Present)

17. Ghajini vs. Ghajini

Aamir Khan’s Ghajini is inspired from Tamil film with the same name, the movie broke all box office records once got released. Both the movies were directed by A.R. Murugadoss. Asin played female lead in both, while Aamir reprised the role played by Suriya. The movie is inspired from Hollywood thriller, Memento (2000), and also used plot from Happy Go Lovely (1951). In fact the plot of Happy Go Lovely has been experimented with several times in Bollywood cinema, Sajan, Jhoota Kahin Ka and Pasand Apni Apni. I have posted one detailed article before. Click here to read.

18. Bodyguard vs. Bodyguard

Bodyguard is one of the major hits of Salman Khan, though it received negative reviews from critics. Originally a Malayalam film with the same title starring Dileep, the movie has been remade to all south Indian languages and Hindi, and most successful in Hindi version. The story was very much altered for Hindi audience, and both the versions were directed by Siddique. Also read: Top 10 Bollywood remakes of Malayalam films. Hungama, Hulchul, Chup Chupke etc a few more successful remakes from Malayalam films, all directed by Priyadarshan.

19. Holiday: A Soldier Is Never off Duty vs. Thuppakki

Both the movies were written and directed by A. R. Murugadoss, and were box office hits. Vijay starrer Thuppakki was a major box office hit, and Akshay Kumar starrer too repeated the success. Akshay was well praised for his physique and action sequences he displayed. South Indian remakes have played a major role in the successful career of Akshay Kumar since 2000. Rowdy Rathore (official remake of 2006 Telugu film Vikramarkudu) and Gabbar Is Back (a remake of the 2002 Tamil film Ramanaa) are other major hits.

20. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi vs Choti Se Mulaqat

Choti Se Mulaqat is a forgettable movie, except one party song. The movie starred Uttam Singh and Vyjayantimala. Only a few have noticed that Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is actually inspired by this lesser-known movie. Read more to know a few more interesting facts behind the remake.

21. Drishyam vs. Drishyam

A few Malayalam films with powerful scripts have been made to different languages and all of them registered box office success too. Bodyguard, Drishyam and Manichitrathazhu (Bhool Bhulayya in Hindi) are major Malayalam films which were remade to rest three south Indian languages, Hindi and many other languages too. Drishyam starring Mohanlal was remade to Hindi in 2015 and directed by Nishant Kamat. Similar to original version, the film was well received by family audience.

22. Tere Naam vs. Sethu

The Tamil film and its Hindi remake proved to be breakthrough roles of Vikram and Salman Khan respectively, and both the films were huge box office hits. Original version, released in 1999 was directed by Bala, and its remake version by Satish Kaushik.

23. Om Shanti Om vs Madhumati/Karz

Though Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om was not a remake of both, many of its elements were heavily inspired by these iconic films. In fact, the film’s climax is fully copied from Dilip Kumar’s classic hit. I have posted one article earlier in detail. Click here to read.

24. Kaho Na Pyar Hai vs. Ratha Sapthami

The debut flick – Kaho Na Pyar Hai made Hrithik a star overnight, and the movie was the biggest hit of the year 2000. Its idea was mainly inspired from Kannada flick, Ratha Sapthami (1986), and the same plot was used for Tamil flick, Love Birds (1996) starring Prabhu Deva and Nagma. This movie was also released in Hindi dubbed version, and songs composed by Rahman got noticed. While Hrithik played a dual role in Kaho Na Pyar Hai, Prabhudeva played a single role in Tamil version and suspense remains till end. That’s the main difference, and everything remains the same. The hero plays the role of an aspiring singer belonging to a poor family and the heroine from a rich family in all these three versions.

25. Saathiya vs. Alaipayuthey

Saathiya is a milestone movie of Rani Mukerji’s career, and also gave Vivek Oberoi a major break. The movie is an official remake of Mani Ratnam’s Alaipayuthey released in 2000. The movie gave breakthrough role to Madhavan, who went on to become a popular actor of Tamil cinema. A. R. Rahman’s music was the highlight of both the versions, and was well received. Also read: Top 10 movies of Rani Mukerji.

26. No Entry vs. Charlie Chaplin

2002 Tamil comedy film – Charlie Chaplin directed by Sakthi Chidambaram was later made to all south Indian languages, Bengali, Hindi and Marathi of which Bollywood version was most successful among all. In fact No Entry was Bollywood’s biggest hit of 2005. The movie starred Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, Fardeen Khan, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, Esha Deol and Celina Jaitley in key roles.

27. Kick vs. Kick

This Salman starrer was an official remake of 2009 Telugu movie with the same name. The film received favourable reviews and was a huge blockbuster. Salman Khan appeared in several successful remakes of south Indian films in the recent times – Bodyguard, Wanted, Tere Naam, Ready, Jai Ho etc to mention a few.

28. Don – The Chase Begins Again vs. Don

Amitabh starrer Don is an iconic film and regarded as one of the best movies of actor’s career. Though Shah Rukh version never managed to achieve the cult classic status owned by Big B’s version, the modern version with changed climax received praises from critics and also Big B. The film’s success prompted its director Farhan Akhtar to make its sequel, and was released in 2011. But it couldn’t repeat the success of its prequel. Also read: Interesting facts of Amitabh starrer Don.

29. Agneepath vs. Agneepath

Amitabh Bachchan starrer was not a huge hit when it got released, but earned critical acclaim and cult status later. The actor, who currently holds the maximum National awards in the best male actor category, won his maiden award for essaying the memorable Vijay Deenanath Chauhan for the movie in 1991. Though Hrithik did a pretty good job in its remark and the movie registered box office success, it’s nowhere comparable with its original.

Top 5 Bollywood remakes that became immensely popular

In the above list, I have mentioned some of the top blockbusters which were actually inspired or remakes. Among all, Sholay remains the most popular and successful movie ever, followed by Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. Mother India could be critics’ choice for the best movie among remakes. I would like to add Gajini and Kaho Na Pyar Hai as the remaining two as the most popular movies. All these movies also managed to stand at position no: 1 in terms of box office collection in the respective years. Hera Pheri, Ek Duje Ke Liye, Tere Naam, Drishyam etc were also highly praised for filmmaking. 

A few flops, but need special mention

Some remakes were pretty good, but couldn’t gain at box office. A few more noted but flop films include – Shah Rukh starrer Paheli from Duvidha, Anil Kapoor’s My Wife’s Murder from Madhyanam Hathya, Madhavan’s Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein remade from his own Tamil film Minnale, Vinod Khanna starrer Dayavan from Nayagan, Ayesha Takia starrer Sunday from Telugu flick – Anukokunda Oka Roju, Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh from Malayalam cult classic Vadakkunokkiyanthram etc.

Other Bollywood inspirations from old Hindi classics

Aag from Sholay, Kishen Kanhaiya from Ram Aur Shyam (Seeta Aur Geeta, Chaalbaaz, etc., also took same film plot). Some movies are remade in the same or almost the same name – Chashme Baddoor, Ittefaq from Rajesh Khanna thriller, Zanjeer from the old classics of the same name, and Karzzzz from Karz, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster from Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam, for instance.

Laaga Chunari Mein Daag from Aina starring Mumtaz, Himmatwala from the movie with the same title, Bol Bachchan from Golmaal, Imtihaan from Raj Kumar-Vimi starrer Humraaz,  Aatish: Feel The Fire from Deewar, Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon from Chitchor, Ek Vivaah… Aisa Bhi from Tapasya, Paying Guest from Biwi Aur Makaan, etc.

In 1948, Prem Narayan Arora produced one movie – Pugree starring Kamani Kaushal. In 1972, he remade the same movie and directed it as well. The movie titled Dil Daulat Ka, starred the biggest star of that time, Rajesh Khanna, and he was paired for the first and last time with Bollywood diva Sadhana. Prem Narayan Arora was Helen’s first husband, and she also appeared in the movie reprising the role of Sasikala played in the original. Actually the plot of the script was lifted from one Hollywood film titled, Happened on Fifth Avenue. 

I would like to mention one special here. It’s not a film script based on which several movies were plotted. It’s the real life story of Naval commander Nanavati which fascinated many filmmakers of yesterdays and today, who drew inspirations to make some interesting stories on screen. First one of this kind was Yeh Raste Hain Pyar Ke in 1963, followed by Achanak in 1973, and Rustom in 2016 starring Akshay Kumar. All the movies share the same plot. You can read a few more Bollywood films based on real-life incidents.  

Inspirations from South

Some of the successful/limited success remakes from south (not mentioned above) include – Ajay Devgan starrer Singham from Suriya starrer Tamil flick Singam, Amitabh Bachchan’s Sooryavansham from Tamil film with the same title; Nayak from Arjun’s Tamil flick, Mudhalvan, Judai from Telugu flick – Subhalagnam, Jamai Raja from Telugu film Attaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu, Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai from Telugu film Pelli Chesukundam, Woh Saat Din from Antha Ezhu Naatkal (Tamil film), Ladla from Telugu flick – Anuraga Aralithu – all starring Anil Kapoor in the new version.

A few more movies include – Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai from Telugu flick – Tholi Prema, Son of Sardar from Maryada Ramanna, John Abraham’s Force from Tamil film Kaakha Kaakha, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega from Malayalam flick Chandralekha etc.

Madhavan’s Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein remade from his own Tamil musical Minnale was a Bollywood flop. But the movie earned a cult classic status among youth very soon. There is a series of Priyadarshan movies inspired from Malayalam movies. Some of them managed to become huge hits while a few others terribly failed – Muskurahat, Kyon Ki, Khatta Meetha, Gardish, Billu, Rangrezz, Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal, Saat Rang Ke Sapne etc.

Priyadarshan’s Hera Pheri is one of the best comedy films ever made on Bollywood screen. Malamaal Lottery, Bhool Bhulaiya, Hulchul, Hungama, Chup Chupke, Bhagam Bhag etc are a few more. Click here to get the complete list of Malayalam movies remade in Hindi.

Read the stories of a few more inspirations and copies of Bollywood. Here is the page link. Click on the images to read.