How often have original tunes reused in Bollywood remakes?

 

 

Moondram Pirai was released in 1982 and this award winning movie starred Kamal Hassan, Sridevi and Silk Smitha in lead roles. The movie was directed by Balu Mahendra who handled its cinematography as well. When the movie was remade to Hindi one year later, Balu used same leading pair, along with Smitha in the new version. Illayaraja was also retained for its Hindi version, who reused all its songs except “Vaanengum” and “Poongatru”.  

When the music of Saathiya was released in 2002, it rocked the whole nation. The original Tamil version was released in the year 2000. The movie Alaipayuthey directed by Mani Ratnam gave Madhavan his big break to Tamil cinema, and its lead heroine Shalini got settled with her family life soon after the film release. Its Hindi version starred Rani Mukerji and Vivek Oberoi in lead roles and most of its songs were reused for the film. In fact its music became more popular than Tamil version, it is regarded as one of the best 5 works of A. R. Rahman.  

 When “Snehidane” sung by Sadhana Sargam (Chupke se in Hindi version) became the most popular track of Alaipayuthey, Hindi version of Pachai Nirame (Title track – Saathiya) became the top Hindi song of the year 2002. The title track ofAlaipayuthey was originally a devotional Krishna song recreated by Rahman for the film. This track was not used for Hindi version. Instead a new tune – Naina Milaike was composed. Similarly instead of the sad song, ‘Evano Oruvan’, ‘Mere Yaar Mila De’ was freshly composed by Rahman for Hindi version. 

 

Madhavan established as a romantic hero of Tamil cinema through a series of hits – Alaipayuthey (2000), Minnale (2001) and Run (2002),and all these three movies were remade to Hindi. Madhavan was retained for Hindi remake of Minnale titled Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein, and its composer Harris Jayaraj too, while the third movie Run starred Abhishek Bachchan in the remake. The songs of both the versions were huge chartbusters and established Harris Jayaraj as a successful music composer.  

Kakka Kakka became a huge hit at box office and the original Tamil version directed by Gautham Menon starred real-life couple Suriya and Jyothika. The star couple was dating when the movie was shot and released, and their screen chemistry was celebrated by fans. All its songs were extremely popular including the romantic songs – Ondra Renda and Uyirin Uyirae.  

Nayak (2001) was remake of Tamil hit – Muthalvan (1999). Both the versions were directed by Shankar, and music was given by Rahman for both. Anil Kapoor reprised the lead role played by Arjun in the Tamil version. The role was originally written for Rajinikanth which the actor refused to play. Manisha Koirala played female lead in Tamil version while Hindi version went to Rani Mukerji. Though both the versions were meant for Manisha, she had date problems and couldn’t accept the Hindi version.  

After his debut flick – Roja, ‘Gentleman’(1993) was one of his most popular albums during the first phase of A. R. Rahman’s career. It was a time when Tamil movie witnessed a major change in music compositions when newcomer Rahman introduced a distinct new style of music into the industry. The dance number ‘Chikku Bukku’ became a rage across south India, and his romantic compositions – ‘Ottagathai’ and ‘Usalampatti’ were also appreciated. The action thriller starred Arjun and Madhoo in lead roles.

 

The Tamil romantic film, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010) was a huge hit while its Hindi version Ekk Deewana Tha heavily flopped at box office. A. R. Rahman composed music for both these versions. Music of Tamil version was immensely popular while its Hindi version failed to create the same magic. However tracks like Hosanna featuring Prateik Babar and Amy Jackson became popular. Original movie starred Silambarasan and Trisha Krishnan in lead roles. 

 

Hindi-Tamil bilingual movie starred different actors, and this film was directed by Mani Ratnam. Vikram played lead role in Tamil version and antagonist in Hindi version. Aishwarya Rai played female lead in both the versions.  

 

Less-heard movie Love You Hamesha starred Akshay Khanna and Sonali Bandre in lead roles. The movie was the remake of Tamil film – May Madam, and all the songs of A. R. Rahman were re-used for the film.

Payali Chunmun – Originally an Illayaraja composition

When the movie was remade as Virasat, Anu Malik composed its songs, and he lift the popular song “Inji Idupazhagi” and gave tunes to “Payali Chunmun Chunmun” after giving slight modifications in its antara. All the songs of the movie were extremely popular and fresh tunes also, except this particular song. But the credits of Payali Chunmun Chunmun was not given to the original composer.

There is an amazing fact connecting both these songs. Click the link to know.

When Mukda of Ilaya Nila was reused for Neele Neele Ambar 

The original music score was done by Illayaraja in the Tamil version, and it was reused for its Hindi remake by Kalyanji-Ananji. The composer duo re-used Mukda only (first stanza) for Hindi version, and this popular romantic song was sung by Kishore Kumar. Original version was sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. And true to say, both the versions stood against the test of time. Both the versions used acoustic guitar with intense, and it proved to be the highlight of both too.

Same year marked the Bollywood debut of Illayaraja through Sadma, which itself is a remake of Moonum Pirai composed by himself. 

OK Jaanu is the upcoming project of A. R. Rahman where he retained most of his original compositions except three. Original movie was directed by Mani Ratnam and starred Nithya Menon and Dulquer Salman in lead roles, while the Hindi version stars Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor of Aashique -2 fame. The movie is directed by Shaad Ali who had earlier directed Mani Ratnam’s Alaipayuthe. 

 

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