South films just have a different vibe to them that is usually unmatched. Their action, comedy, and drama make these films a full masala package of entertainment. Hence, even Bollywood can’t stop itself from remaking these superhit films. Ever since Hindi films started taking inspo from the South, there’s been an increasing craze for South Indian films among the movie junkies. If you’re a Bollywood lover who has watched every popular film a number of times, then why not watch the original version for a change?
Popular Bollywood Movies That Are A Remake Of South Films:
We’ve curated a list of the most popular Bollywood movies that have actually been inspired by epic South Indian films. Read on:
Hera Pheri (2000)
Yes, the movie that has led to the birth of endless memes is actually a remake of the popular Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking released in 1989. Just like Hera Pheri, the Malayalam film also had a sequel—Mannar Mathai Speaking released in 1995. The sequel again turned out to be a super hit. If you’ve already watched Hera Pheri over a hundred times, then why not tune in for the Malayalam version that’ll give you just the same laughs? Watch it on Amazon Prime and Disney+ hotstar.
Bhool Bhulaiya (2007)
The first ever superhit Bollywood horror-comedy was actually a remake of the Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu released in 1993. It was not only a massive hit among the South Indian audience but also gifted us with an unbelievable power-packed performance from Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, and Shobana. The film was also remade in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. Although Bhool Bhulaiya really made us laugh, there were some scenes that creeped the hell out of us. Trust us, the OG Malayalam film is equally scary and funny. Stream it on Amazon Prime or Disney+ hotstar.
Ghajini (2008)
We’re sure we’re not the only ones who still dread the fact that Kalpana never found out that Sachin was actual Sanjay Singhania. TBH, it still gives me sleepless nights. But did you know that director Murugadoss remade his 2005 Tamil film Ghajini into Hindi with the same name? The Tamil version also starred Asin along with Suriya and Nayanthara. While Ghajini is a remake of Christopher Nolan’s Memento, it still is altogether different, excluding the short-term memory loss condition of the protagonist. If you wanna watch the OG Ghajini, you can stream it on JioCinema.
Kabir Singh (2019)
As problematic as it was, Kabir Singh still managed to become an absolute blockbuster. It is the remake of the Telugu film Arjun Reddy released in 2017. Arjun Reddy starred Vijay Deverakonda and Shalini Pandey and led to the former’s massive fan following. Not just in Hindi, the film was also remade twice in Tamil—Adithya Varma (2019) and Varmaa (2020). Although Kabir Singh slayed it at the box office, it had an even bigger fan base in the South in its original form. Watch Arjun Reddy on Amazon Prime.
Bodyguard (2011)
Bodyguard is a love story with a unique twist. Sallu Bhai fans absolutely loved this film and we still groove to some of the film’s super hit tunes. But did you know that it’s a remake? Starring superhero Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor, the film is actually a remake of the 2010 Malayalam film of the same name. The original film featured Dileep and Nayanthara in lead roles. It was also remade in Kannada and Tamil in 2011, starring Vijay and Asin. Watch the OG Bodyguard on YouTube for free.
De Dana Dan (2009)
Although De Dana Dan had a stellar cast like Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, it didn’t fare all too well at the box office. However, if you’re looking for a good laugh this weekend, then you must watch the original. De Dana Dan is a remake of the hit Malayalam movie Vettam released in 2004, directed by Priyadarshan. The Malayalam version starred Dileep and Bhavna Pani in lead roles. And it is a lot funnier with a chaotic series of hilarious events which will actually make you LOL. Watch it on YouTube for free.
Saathiya (2002)
Saathiya is that film that made us fall in love with Vivek Oberoi. Starring Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukherjee, this love story will make your heart flutter even now after twenty years. This film is a remake of the Tamil movie Alaipayuthey released in 2000, starring R.Madhavan and Shalini in lead roles. This superhit romantic drama film directed by Mani Ratnam was also R.Madhavan’s debut film. The Tamil version is just as heartwarming as the Hindi one. So if you’re looking for a movie to watch on a romantic date night, try Alaipayuthey streaming on Amazon Prime.
If the Hindi remakes were this good, can you imagine just how great the original would be? If you’re a Bollywood fan like us, we’re sure you must’ve watched these Bollywood films several times. And if you’ve enjoyed it each time, then you should definitely watch the South Indian originals! Looks like we’ve got your weekend sorted.
Feature Image: IMDb
