CINEMANTRA: GOING SOUTH
A slew of Bollywood remakes of Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films will hit theatres in 2017
Ghajini, Bodyguard, Singham, Rowdy Rathore — remakes of South Indian films are not new in Bollywood. But in 2017, the trend has spiked, with at least five films in the pipeline.
The year begins with OK Jaanu, remake of Tamil film OK Kanmani (2015). Bejoy Nambiar is remaking Tamil film, Agni Natchathiram, and Prakash Raj is remaking Malayalam film Salt N’ Pepper as Tadka. RS Prasanna, who directed Tamil film, Kalyana Samayal Saadham (2013), is teaming up with Aanand L Rai for a Hindi remake, and cinematographer PC Sreeram, who worked on Telugu hit Remo, has announced there are talks of a remake.
So, what makes the formula click? “Bollywood-ise a film, fill in songs and you are set. The risks are mitigated,” says trade analyst Omar Qureshi.
Still there’s a lot of thought that goes into it. Like remake rights... “Will the producer gain anything? Does the story need to be retold?” asks filmmaker Nishikant Kamat, who remade Tamil film Kaakha Kaakha (2003) as Force (2011). Giving an example of his film Drishyam (2015), he adds that it was a fantastic film in Malayalam, but its reach got wider as a Bollywood remake.
Actor Kajal Aggarwal, who starred in Singham (2011), sees no harm in remakes. “The south does offer great scripts. Creatively, they are strong.” Taapsee Pannu, who features in upcoming film, Tadka, adds: “Audiences are not coming in with a baggage to test if you’re going to be as good or not in the remake.”
But there’s also a downside — Bollywood’s image as an industry that lacks strong, original content. “Few people are really thinking. Also, sensibilities might differ. Telugu film Eega (Makkhi; 2012) was appreciated globally, but how many Bollywood heroes would want to be seen as a fly?” asks Qureshi.
There’s also pressure on filmmakers. “If it’s a superhit, you feel the responsibility to match up,” says Satish Kaushik. “If you can surpass the original, nothing like it. But it’s difficult,” adds Kamat.