Occasionally, Bollywood draws inspiration from Hollywood, adapting proven stories for Indian audiences. On paper, it makes sense: familiar plots with local flavor. But too often, the execution falls short. The original’s emotional depth or sharp pacing gets lost, replaced by formulaic writing or miscasting. Here are five Hollywood-to-Bollywood remakes that had solid foundations—but couldn’t quite deliver the payoff.
1. Players (2012)
Based on: The Italian Job (2003)
Players set out to replicate the adrenaline of a high-stakes heist thriller, but the result felt oddly mechanical. The problem wasn’t just in the casting, though Abhishek Bachchan failed to carry the charisma required of a lead, it was also in how the heist was structured. Rather than building suspense, the plot moved sluggishly, without urgency or surprise. Action sequences lacked finesse, and despite the film’s attempt to look glossy, it felt like a pale imitation of a far more stylish original. Instead of reinvention, Players offered replication, and not a very polished one.
2. (2006) The Killer
Based on: Collateral (2004)
Michael Mann’s Collateral thrives on psychological tension, a claustrophobic setting, and a slow unraveling of character motives. The Killer lifts the premise but drains it of all nuance. Emraan Hashmi plays a cab driver caught in a deadly game, but his portrayal lacks the internal conflict that made Jamie Foxx’s performance so compelling. Irrfan Khan, always dependable, does bring some weight, but he’s boxed in by writing that doesn’t explore his character’s layers. What unfolds is a surface-level thriller that trades atmosphere for predictability. The suspense never truly builds, and the stakes never feel real.
3. Laal Singh Chaddha (2022)
Based on: Forrest Gump (1994)
In attempting to adapt Forrest Gump for Indian sensibilities, Laal Singh Chaddha adopts a reverent yet overly cautious approach. Aamir Khan’s portrayal of the titular character is marked by exaggerated expressions that feel more theatrical than empathetic. The script touches upon key historical events in India, but rather than weaving them into the characters’ journey, it places them as backdrops with limited emotional resonance. Kareena Kapoor delivers a sincere performance, but the film as a whole struggles to match the effortless sentimentality of the original. It’s earnest, but lacks the quiet confidence that made Forrest Gump universally beloved.
4. God Tussi Great Ho (2008)
Based on: Bruce Almighty (2003)
Bruce Almighty balanced humor with introspection, using divine powers as a lens to explore personal responsibility. God Tussi Great Ho, in contrast, leans heavily on slapstick and overused gags. Salman Khan’s portrayal feels more like a caricature than a conflicted man given god-like control. While Amitabh Bachchan adds gravitas, the material doesn’t support his presence. The film misses opportunities to reflect on human nature, and the comedic tone often feels out of sync with the story’s premise. Instead of thoughtful comedy, what we get is a stretched-out sitcom episode that doesn’t leave much of an impact.
5. Dil Bole Hadippa! (2009)
Based on: She’s the Man (2006)
Cross-dressing sports comedies demand a delicate balance of humor and heart. She’s the Man delivered both with energy. Dil Bole Hadippa! tries to adapt the idea into a cricketing backdrop, but the outcome feels uneven. Rani Mukerji does her best, bringing spirit to her role, but the narrative is weighed down by clichés. Themes about gender, which could have been explored meaningfully, are only barely skimmed. The role of Shahid Kapoor is underdeveloped, and the love story is underwritten. Even the cricket matches — the supposed highlight of the film — are curiously flat. What might have been a spirited sports drama turns into melodrama.
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Concluding Observations: Lost Opportunities, Not Bad Intentions
There’s nothing inherently wrong with remakes. It’s the flipside, of course, that some of the greatest films come from offering alternative interpretations of existing stories. But a successful adaptation is more than just rehashing the plot; it’s about cultural recontextualization, character development, and filmic artistry. The examples above neatly illustrate that good source material doesn’t always translate into satisfying remakes: Bollywood’s love of style over substance means that remakes can fall flat, even when they have the best content to draw from.
It’s not about being up against Hollywood — it’s about doing justice to the story. Until we strike that balance, well-meaning remakes will muddle along.
Writer – Subham Choudhary