NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Netflix
    Shah Rukh Khan
    Alia Bhatt
    Salman Khan
    Ranbir Kapoor
    Ranveer Singh
    Amazon Prime Video
    NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / Entertainment News / When did Bollywood start remaking South Indian films 
    Entertainment

    When did Bollywood start remaking South Indian films 

    When did Bollywood start remaking South Indian films 
    Written by Tanvi Gupta
    Feb 16, 2023, 08:00 pm 3 min read
    When did Bollywood start remaking South Indian films 
    As 'Kartik Aaryan's Shehzada' hit theaters on Friday, we trace the rise of Hindi remakes of South cinema

    "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," a quote by Oscar Wilde perfectly fits the Bollywood films that are either direct remakes or inspired by South Indian movies. As Kartik Aaryan's out-and-out entertainer film Shehzada is hitting theaters on Friday, which is a remake of Allu Arjun's Telugu drama Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, let's decode how the trend of South Indian remakes started in Bollywood.

    Let's begin from the beginning!

    For the longest time, it was believed that the "regional cinema" could never match high-octane Bollywood movies. In fact, in the '80s, the South industry was engaged in making remakes of popular Hindi films. It might come as a surprise, but superstar Rajinikanth featured in 11 Tamil movies that were actually remakes of Amitabh Bachchan's films. But soon enough, this phenomenon was reversed!

    The change in dynamics

    We cannot pinpoint the exact timeline when the Bollywood industry started looking out to South cinema for inspiration, but NTR's blockbuster Telugu movie Ramudu Bheemudu released in 1964, was among the first few films to be remade into Hindi, Ram Aur Shyam (1967), starring Dilip Kumar and Waheeda Rehman. But wait, the trend of remakes did not start here but with Kamal Haasan.

    Haasan brought the wave of remakes with his Bollywood debut

    The trend of remaking South films into the Hindi language started with Haasan who became the first actor to break the language barrier and transcended the boundaries. He identified a lucrative market in the northern belt and eventually made his Bollywood debut. Some of his iconic movies were remade in Hindi, including Sadma, Ek Duuje Ke Liye, Dayavan, and Chachi 420.

    The trend was picked up by makers in late '90s 

    The trend of remakes picked up pace when Judwaa featuring Salman Khan in double roles became a massive success. It was the official remake of the Telugu film Hello Brother. Later, the 1989 Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking was remade in Hindi as Hera Pheri, which achieved cult status. Owning to this success, director Priyadarshan tried his luck with more such films.

    Action flicks became the real trendsetters

    The formula adopted by the director of Hera Pheri worked well at the box office, due to which other filmmakers also jumped right in. Initially, the comedy genre films were the popular choice for remakes, but eventually, action flicks became the real trendsetter. Films like Ghajini, Wanted, Singham, Rowdy Rathore, Bodyguard, Holiday, Force, and, Kick among others received thunderous responses from audiences.

    38 films were remade in Hindi in last 10 years

    Owing to the fact that South cinema had a zing that Bollywood always wanted, the trend of remakes is still very much alive in the Hindi film industry. Per reports, in the last 10 years, Bollywood has remade over 38 South Indian films, out of which 18 have been massive hits. The actors have now started crossing boundaries to move closer to green pastures.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Rajinikanth
    South Indian Cinema
    Amitabh Bachchan
    Kamal Haasan

    Rajinikanth

    Rajinikanth starrer 'Jailer' release postponed, clash with 'PS-2' averted Tamil Cinema
    Originally a flop, Rajinikanth's 'Baba' becomes superhit on re-release Tamil Cinema
    Rajinikanth birthday special: Upcoming, recent films of 'Thalaivar' Tamil Cinema
    Rajinikanth's 72nd birthday: Dhanush to Kamal Haasan, stars wish 'Thalaivar' Kamal Haasan

    South Indian Cinema

    Malavika Mohanan took 'dig' at Nayanthara? Actor clarifies on Twitter Malavika Mohanan
    Union Home Minister Amit Shah praises Rishab Shetty's 'Kantara' Kannada Films
    Rishab Shetty's 'Kantara' now streaming in English on Netflix Kannada Films
    Ajay Devgn's 'Maidaan,' Samantha's 'Shaakuntalam' receive new release dates again Ajay Devgn

    Amitabh Bachchan

    Jaya Bachchan's 'finger-pointing gesture' toward Jagdeep Dhankhar angers BJP Samajwadi Party
    Happy Birthday, Abhishek Bachchan: 5 award-winning roles of 'Dasvi' actor Abhishek Bachchan
    Prabhas, Deepika Padukone-led 'Project K' to premiere in two installments Prabhas
    4 heartwarming fan interactions of Bollywood celebrities Salman Khan

    Kamal Haasan

    Legendary filmmaker K Viswanath's demise; Chiranjeevi, Rajamouli attend last rites Telugu Films
    A look at Rahul Gandhi's star-heavy Bharat Jodo Yatra Bollywood
    Year wrap: South stars who made a comeback in 2022 South Indian Cinema
    'Hindu-Muslim hatred spread 24x7': Rahul Gandhi's jibe at BJP-led Centre Rahul Gandhi

    Love Entertainment News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    Entertainment Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023