For decades, Bollywood seems to have been inspired —
in terms of stories and themes — by its American counterpart: Hollywood. But
now, it looks like Hindi film-makers are looking away from American shores, at least
when it comes to official remakes.
Currently, more than half-a-dozen non-Hollywood
films are in various stages of production in Bollywood.
Coming to India
For starters, Karan Johar and Guneet Monga are set
to team up for the Indian remake of the 2011 French comedy-drama, The
Intouchables.
"The international performance of The
Intouchables validates its commercial potential and we are confident that the
film will do great business in India too," Monga told an American
magazine.
Meanwhile,
the 2006 French hit, Priceless, is also on the remake bandwagon. Apparently,
Karan has asked Dostana (2008) director Tarun Mansukhani to develop the script
for the remake with Sidharth Malhotra in the lead. In the meantime, an official
remake of the Spanish film Only Human (2004), called Total Siyappa, starring
Ali Zafar and Yami Gautam is set to release on March 7.
So
why does Bollywood not seem interested in Hollywood anymore?
"Firstly,
a number of Hollywood films find their way to Indian theatres anyway. Secondly,
their budgets are so high that remakes won’t be a feasible option. Also, most
Hollywood studios have their presence in India now, so why would they sell
their movie remake rights to an Indian producer? The storylines of
non-Hollywood films are interesting and have a novelty factor," says
film-maker Sanjay Gupta.
Gupta
should know, considering he is set to direct an official remake of a hit
foreign-language film, the offer for which came from a Hollywood-based
production house. The film-maker, however, is "contractually bound"
to not reveal details.
His
Shootout At Wadala (2013) co-star John Abraham has bought the rights to a South
Korean hit, The Man From Nowhere (2010), which will be directed by Nishikant
Kamat.
