The encouraging thing about 2013 in comparative terms was that this time we had fewer entries in the unofficially borrowed films category and had more names in the list of official remakes and films made on real life stories, biographies and the unexplored rich literature. But still the passion of ‘Being Inspired’ from the World Cinema continues like a never ending process as always.
So the list goes…..!
1. Table No. 21 – Based on a similar theme earlier seen in “Chitkabrey” (2011).
2. Dehraadun Diary – A mix of “No One Killed Jessica” (2011) & “Damini” (1993).
3. ABCD Any Body Can Dance – Inspired from “Step Up (2006)” series of the West.
4. Mere Dad Ki Maruti – Takes its clues from “Dude, Where’s My Car?” (2000).
5. Aashiqui 2 – Religiously takes its inspiration from the 1976 version of “A Star Is Born”.
6. Go Goa Gone – Largely modeled on western zombie films such as “Shaun of The Dead” (2004) or “Zombieland” (2009).
7. Jayanta Bhai Ki Luv Story – Takes it all from Korean film “My Dear Desperado / My Gangster Like Lover” (2010).
8. Ishq in Paris - Highly inspired version of the classic western series of “Before Sunrise” (1995) and “Before Sunset” (2004).
9. Ankur Arora Murder Case – Said to be inspired from a true story, the film is highly inspired from the exact sequences in Sidney Lumet’s “The Verdict” (1982).
10. Raanjhana – Its basic storyline has an important twist quite similar to the one in “Magnificent Obsession” (1954), “Kinara” (1977) & “Tum Bin” (2001).
11. Ramaiya Vastavaiya – Although an official remake of Prabhu Deva’s own directorial debut in Telugu titled “Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana” released in 2005. But the whole concept is all inspired from Rajshri’s mega hit “Maine Pyar Kiya” (1989) along with references of “Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya” (1998) too in its second half.
12. Bajatey Raho – Made on the lines of “Khosla Ka Ghosla” (2006).
13. Horror Story – Majorly inspired from “Grave Encounters”(2011).
14. John Day - A rip-off from a Spanish film “La Caja 507” or “Box 507” (2002).
15. The Lunchbox – One of the publicity poster inspired from “Looper” (2012) and the basic theme highly inspired from “The Shop Around The Corner” (1940), which was reused in
“In The Good Old Summertime” (1949), “You’ve Got Mail” (1998) in English and “Sirf Tum” (1999), “Na Tum Jano Na Hum” (2002), “Mitr My Friend” (2002) & a reference in “Mujhse Fraandship Karoge” (2011) too in Hindi.
16. RSVP (Punjabi) – First half is the reverse gender version of “Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl” (2011) and the second half takes its clear clues from “Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge” (1995).
17. Gori Tere Pyaar Mein – Goes into “Swades” (2004) mode post intermission.
18. War Chhod Na Yaar – Takes reference for Dalip Tahil’s various characters from Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb” (1964).
19. Phata Poster Nikhla Hero - The title taken from a scene & dialogue of “Hero Hiralal” (1988), the first scene straight out of “Ferrari Ki Sawaari” (2012) and references of “Munna Bhai Mbbs” which is mentioned in the film itself.
20. Grand Masti – Basic idea taken from “American Reunion” (2012).
21. Krrish 3 – Strong References of “X-Men” (2000).
22. What The Fish – Highly inspired from “My Boss’s Daughter” (2003).
23. Dhoom 3 – The basic plot clearly taken from Ramesh Sippy’s “Akayla”(1991) which was also there in “Muqabla” (1993). Plus has strong references of Nolan’s “The Prestige” (2006) and Louis Leterrier’s “Now You See Me” (2013).
Official Remakes of the West as well as Hindi and Regional Indian Films.
1. Nautanki Saala – Official remake of a French film “Apres Vous” (2003).
2. Murder 3 – Official Remake of Spanish film “The Hidden Face / La Cara Oculta” (2011).
3. Rangrezz - Official remake of Tamil Hit “Naadodigal (2009).
4. Himmatwala – Official remake of Jeetender, Sridevi starrer, “Himmatwala” (1983).
5. Chashme Baddoor – Official remake of Sai Parnjpe’s Cult Classic “Chashm-e-Buddoor” released in 1981.
6. Shortcut Romeo – An official re-make of director Susi Ganesh’s own successful Tamil film “Thiruttu Payale” (2006) which has a plot quite similar to “Bezubaan” (1982).
7. Zanjeer – Official remake of the cult hit “Zanjeer” (1973).
8. Boss – Official remake of a Malayalam Hit “Pokkiri Raja” (2010).
9. Warning – Reportedlyan official adaptation of “Open Water 2 : Adrift” (2006).
Inspired Movies from Real Life Incidents and Life Stories
1. Special 26 – Based on the true story of fake raids reported in the country in the mid 80s.
2. Zila Ghaziabad – Said to be based on the true story of a gang war between two powerful rival groups, which took place in Ghaziabad in early 90s.
3. The Attacks of 26/11 – The director’s own take on the brutal attack of 26/11 in Mumbai and Kasab’s arrest.
4. I Don't Luv U - Based on the infamous MMS scandal involving school-going children.
5. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag – Based on the real life events of S. Milkha Singh.
6. Satyagraha – Takes it major inspiration from “Anna-Kejriwal” 2012 movement in Delhi.
7. Madras Café – Based on the brutal killing of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
8. Dilli-Gang – Inspired from the random old age couples killing incidents in Delhi & other metros.
9. Shahid – Based of real life of Shahid, the Mumbai lawyer who fought for justice only to be murdered later.
Inspired Movies from Literature and Books
1. Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola – Reminds your of the basic theme of MACBETH and the plot of a German Comedy Play “Mr. Puntila and His Man Matti” written by Bertolt Brecht in 1940.
2. Kai Po Che – An official adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s novel called “The 3 Mistakes Of My Life”.
3. Shootout at Wadala – Reportedly inspired from real life happenings in Mumbai, it is also largely based on Hussain Zaidi’s book “Dongri to Dubai”.
4. Bombay Talkies – One of its four stories directed by Dibaker Bannerjee is based on maestro Satyajit Ray’s short story “Patol Babu, Film Star”,
5. Lootera – Loosely based on American author O. Henry's short story “The Last Leaf”.
6. Issaq – Based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo-Juliet”.
7. Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela – Based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo-Juliet”.
8. B.A. Pass - Based on a story “The Railway Aunty” by Mohan Sikka from the book ‘Delhi Noir’,
(Note: Do let me know if you are aware of any other inspired movie which came in 2013 but is not listed here by chance.)
