From City Lights to Ghulam: Top Bollywood Remakes of International Hits

Bollywood has a long history of remaking successful films from around the world, often adapting them to suit Indian sensibilities. While some remakes have been criticised for their lack of originality, others have managed to capture the essence of the original while putting a unique spin on the story. Here are some of the top Bollywood remakes of international hits.

Bollywood Remakes of International Hits

Zinda - Oldboy

In 2005, director Sanjay Gupta adapted the 2003 South Korean thriller Oldboy for Bollywood. While he toned down the graphic violence and nudity of the original, Gupta successfully captured the sense of dread and doom that made the film so compelling. Sanjay Dutt's powerful performance as the protagonist was widely praised as one of the best of his career.

Sarkar - The Godfather

In 2005, director Ram Gopal Varma adapted Francis Ford Coppola's epic crime saga The Godfather for the Indian audience. Set in Maharashtra, the film featured Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan as a father-son duo modelled after Marlon Brando and Al Pacino's characters in the original. Supported by a talented cast including Kay Kay Menon and Zakir Hussain, Abhishek Bachchan's performance as the younger Godfather was widely acclaimed.

Life in a... Metro - Crash

Anurag Basu's 2007 film Life in a... Metro followed the interconnected lives of several individuals living in Mumbai, drawing inspiration from the 2004 American drama Crash. While the film captured the urban angst and fatigue of Mumbai life, it did so without being overly reverential to the original. With a talented cast including Kangana Ranaut, Kay Kay Menon, and Irrfan Khan, and a memorable soundtrack by Pritam, Life in a... Metro was a critical and commercial success.

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Ghulam - On the Waterfront

Vikram Bhatt's 1998 film Ghulam was loosely based on Elia Kazan's classic 1954 film On the Waterfront. Starring Aamir Khan as a street-smart boxer, the film drew inspiration from Marlon Brando's iconic performance in the original. While the Bollywood version took some creative liberties, it delivered a satisfying climax that saw the underdog protagonist take on the main villain. The film's brilliant soundtrack by Jatin-Lalit further elevated the viewing experience.

City Lights - Metro Manila

Hansal Mehta's 2014 drama City Lights was a remake of the 2013 British film Metro Manila. Starring Rajkummar Rao and Patralekha, the film follows the story of a couple from rural India who move to the big city in search of a better life. While the film stayed true to the original's themes of poverty and exploitation, it managed to put a distinctly Indian spin on the story.

These are just a few examples of the many successful Bollywood remakes of international films. While some may argue that remakes lack originality, the best ones manage to honour the spirit of the original while adding something new to the story.

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