2012 gave us many interesting mix of films from different genres, few of which also tasted a decent success at the box office, indicating towards the changing taste of our Indian viewers. But still the passion of ‘Being Inspired’ continued like a never ending process here, namely having the following movies based on all inspired content or the official remakes of their originals.
And here goes the list…..!
1. Sadda Adda - Highly inspired and similar settings as seen in “Pyaar Ka Punchnaama” (2011).
2. Gali Gali Chor Hai – Based on similar plot earlier used in Shyam Benegal’s “Well Done Abba” (2010), “Chala Musaddi Office Office” (2010) which was also an adaptation of the famous award winning TV series “Office Office”.
3. Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu – Takes it inspirations from “What Happens In Vegas” (2008) and the Mexican film “Recien Cazado” (2009).
4. Jodi Breakers – Takes its references from a French film “Heartbreaker” (2010), our own “Band Baaja Baarat” (2010) and “Life Partner” (2009).
5. Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya – It straight away lifts its first hour from Danny Boyle’s “A Life Less Ordinary” (1997), the petrol pump sequence from “Zombieland” (2009) and post intermission follows “Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge” (1995) or Jab We Met (2007) along with their Punjabi flavor, where either the boy or the girl is living with the family and starts winning their hearts.
6. ?-The Question Mark – Inspired version of the famous “The Blair Witch Project” (1999)
7. London Paris New York – Takes its inspiration from two English masterpieces “Before Sunrise” (1995) and “Before Sunset” (2004) directed by Richard Linklater.
8. Will You Marry Me – Has an exact replica publicity poster copied from one of the artwork of American TV Series “How I Met Your Mother” (2005).
9. Chaar Din Ki Chandni – Based on second half of director Sameer Karnik’s own Hit “Yamla Pagla Deewana” (2012).
10. Kahaani – Takes it clues from Angelina Jolie’s two films namely “A Mighty Heart” (2007) made on a real life incident and “Taking Lives” (2004) having a similar climax.
11. Blood Money – Similar story progression as seen in “The Firm” released in 1993 and Vishesh films own “Jannat” (2008).
12. Bumboo - Official remake of “L'emmerdeur” or “A Pain In The Ass” (1973) written by Francis Veber. The film was also remade by Billy Wilder as “Buddy Buddy” in 1981, by Kartal Tiber in Turkish in 1982 as “Bas Belasi” and Francis himself directed its French remake with the same title in 2008.
13. Zindagi Tere Naam - All inspired from “The Notebook” (2004).
14. Housefull 2 – The basic plot of the film is straight away taken from Telugu comedy “Hungama” (2005) and Tamil film “Banda Paramasivam” (2003), which are both actually based on a Malayalam film “Mattupetti Machan” (1998). The marriage broker insult sequence also reminds you of David Dhawan’s “Coolie No.1” (1995) which was again a remake of a 1991 Telugu film with the same title.Also the other sub-plot in it, showing a resort on the other side of a lonely beach is blatantly taken from the English romantic comedy "Love Wrecked" (2005).
16. Tezz - The plot was earlier there in our own Hit “The Burning Train” (1980). But “Tezz” copies some exact sequences from “Shikansen Daibakuha” or “The Bullet Train” made in Japan in 1975. Other than this there are few more films made on the similar plot like “123 Monster Express” (Thailand) (1977), “The Cassandra Crossing” (1976), “Runaway Train” (1985), “Speed” (1994) and most recently “Unstoppable” released in 2010.
17. Jannat 2 – Has the same plot as used in Vishesh films Jannat (2008) & Blood Money (2012) with only changes in the professions of the lead hero. Plus in this they take the inspiration for its crime-plot from Nicholas Cage’s “Lord of War” (2005) and design of one of its posters from “The Mechanic” (2011).
18. Fatso – Based on a plot which first came in a 1941 Hollywood Classic “Here Comes Mr. Jordan” which was later remade twice as “Heaven Can Wait” in 1978 and “Down To Earth” in 2001. In Hindi films, the same was adapted in Rajender Kumar, Saira Banu Hit “Jhuk Gaya Aasman” in 1967.
19. Mr. Bhatti On Chhutti – Takes it basic inspiration from “Mr. Bean’s Holiday” (2007).
20. Teri Meri Kahani – Based on a borrowed idea of a love story in three different eras taken from a Taiwanese film called “Three Times” or “Zui Hao De Shi Guang” (2005).
21. Jism 2 - Takes its major content from Alfred Hitchcock’s “Notorious” released in 1964.
22. Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi – Highly inspired from Delbert Mann’s directed Oscar Winner “Marty” (Black & White) released in 1955.
23. Joker – Makes you recall a bunch of movies including Manoj Shyamalan’s “Signs” (2002) and our own “Swades” (2004) and “Peepli Live” (2010).
25. English Vinglish – Has got some slight resemblances with the famous comedy TV serial “Zabaan Sambhaal Ke” or with its original version “Mind Your Language”.
26. Kismet Love Paisa Dilli - Its like a low grade, fake version of director’s own earlier film “Ek Chalis Ki Last Local” (2007).
27. Eega/Makkhi – References of similar subjects in “Fluke” (1995) and a short film “Cockroach” (2010) but follows its own unique path in Indian Cinema.
28. Aiyya – Inspired from a part of directors own Marathi film “Gandha” or “The Smell” (2009).
29. Bhoot Returns – Takes few references from the famous “Paranormal Activity” series and has a poster inspired from an old Foreign TV channel advertisement.
30. Chakravyuh – Exploits the same plot earlier used by Hrishikesh Mukherjee in his “Namak Haraam” in the year 1973, which was also reportedly based on an Oscar winner classic called “Becket” released in 1964.
31. Rush – Based on the same interesting plot earlier exploited in “New Delhi” directed by Joshi released in 1987 and also “Surkhiyan” which came in 1985.
32. 1920 Evil Returns – Takes heavy references from William Friedkin’s Cult Horror film “The Exorcist” (1973)
33. Mere Dost Picture Abhi Baaki Hai – Based on the same plot earlier used in the famous T.V. serial called “Yeh Shaadi Nahin Ho Sakti” (1995), then later adapted in “Dhoondhte Reh Jaoge” in 2009. But both these ventures were actually inspired from the original OSCAR winner “The Producers” which actually explored this funny theme way back in 1968 for the first time.
36. Chhodo Kal Ki Baatein (2012) –A Clear copy of “The Groundhog Day” (1993).
Official Remakes from other English, Hindi and Regional Indian Films
1. Players - Official remake of “The Italian Job” (1969 & 2003).
2. Agneepath – An official (not an exact) remake of Mukul S. Anand’s “Agneepath” (1990).
3. Ek Deewana Tha – Hindi version of director Gautham Menon’s earlier 2 hits namely “Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa” (Tamil) and “Ye Maaya Chesave” (Telugu). Plus its intial reels also remind you of Kamal Hassan-Rati Agnihotri starrer “Ek Duje Ke Liye”.
4. Rowdy Rathore - An almost exact remake of Telugu Hit “Vikramarkudu” (2006), which was also remade in many other languages.
5. Bol Bachchan - An official adaptation of Hrishikesh Mukherje’s cult classic “Golmaal” (1979) with some added flavours.
6. Oh My God – Reportedly based on a Gujarati play, 'Kanji Virrudh Kanji' or ‘Krishan Vs Kanhaiya’, which was actually adapted from the original film “The Man Who Sued God” (2001).
7. Kamaal Dhamaal Maalamaal – Hindi version of a South hit "Marykundoro Kunjaado" (Malayalam) (2010).
8. Ajab Ghazab Love – Remake of Telugu film “Seema Tapakai” (2011).
9. Son of Sardar – An official remake of S. S. Rajamouli’s Telugu film “Maryada Ramanna” (2010) which was itself based on a silent Hollywood film “Our Hospitality” made in 1923.
Inspired Movies from Real Life Incidents and Life Stories
1. Paan Singh Tomar – Based on the real life of seven-time National Champion in steeplechase race Paan Singh Tomar, who later became a rebel.
2. Diary of a Butterfly – Reportedly based on the Nira Radia 2G scam.
3. Chittagong – Based on the brave & tragic revolt of 1930s on which Ashutosh Gowariker also made his “Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se” in 2010.
Inspired Movies from Literature (Stories and Novels)
1. Shanghai - The film is based on Greek writer Vassilis Vassilikos' political novel "Z" on which director Costa-Gavras also made his project titled "Z" (French) in 1969.
2. 10ml Love - A modern world adaptation of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.
(Note: Please do let me know if you are aware of any other inspired movie which came in 2012 but is not listed here by chance.)
