KKN Gurugram Desk | Aamir Khan, often dubbed as one of the most versatile actors in Bollywood, has made a name for himself through a wide variety of roles in films that have captivated audiences. However, a lesser-known fact about Aamir is his consistent engagement with Hollywood remakes. Several of his iconic films have been adaptations or inspired by Western cinema, sometimes leading to debates over authenticity and originality.
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With his upcoming film ‘Sitare Zameen Par’ (a remake of the Spanish film ‘Campeones’), which portrays the journey of a basketball coach training special needs players, the discussion on his copycat films has once again garnered attention. The debate intensified when social media users began criticizing the film’s frame-by-frame similarities to the original.
In this article, we take a closer look at the list of Aamir Khan’s films that have been inspired by or remade from Hollywood movies, while exploring the public reaction and controversies surrounding them.
Is ‘Sitare Zameen Par’ Just Another Copy?
Aamir Khan’s ‘Sitare Zameen Par’ has sparked a new round of discussions regarding his tendency to adapt foreign films. The film’s storyline revolves around a basketball coach who trains special needs players—a plot that closely mirrors the Spanish film ‘Campeones’. As the trailer was released, audiences quickly pointed out the film’s striking similarities to the original, prompting criticisms of it being a frame-by-frame remake.
While Aamir Khan’s films are often lauded for their emotional depth and storytelling, this remake has faced allegations of unoriginality. Despite the critiques, Aamir’s ability to bring a unique Indian touch to these films cannot be overlooked, which often leads to heated debates about the fine line between inspiration and imitation.
1. ‘Ghajini’ (2008): A Bollywood Version of ‘Memento’
One of the most well-known remakes in Aamir Khan’s career is ‘Ghajini’. Released in 2008, ‘Ghajini’ became a superhit and played a pivotal role in cementing Aamir Khan’s status as a Bollywood superstar. However, the film was heavily inspired by the Hollywood film ‘Memento’. The plot centers around a man suffering from short-term memory loss and seeking revenge, which mirrors the essence of ‘Memento’, though adapted to Indian sensibilities.
Despite the commercial success, the film faced criticism for being a direct copy of its original Hollywood counterpart. The success of ‘Ghajini’ was largely attributed to Aamir’s intense portrayal of the character and the film’s Indianization of the story.
2. ‘Mann’ (1999): A Remake of ‘An Affair to Remember’
Another notable film in Aamir Khan’s career, ‘Mann’ (1999), drew inspiration from the classic Hollywood film ‘An Affair to Remember’. The story revolves around a romantic relationship between Aamir Khan’s character and Manisha Koirala, where the couple meets on a cruise and makes a promise to meet again. This plotline closely resembles the Hollywood film, which is known for its iconic romance. While ‘Mann’ was loved by Indian audiences for its emotional depth, the similarity with the original Hollywood film could not be ignored.
3. ‘Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin’ (1991): A Copy of ‘It Happened One Night’
‘Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin’ (1991) is another example of Aamir Khan’s engagement with Hollywood classics. The film follows the story of a runaway girl and a journalist, whose journey closely mirrors the storyline of ‘It Happened One Night’ (1934). Despite the inspiration taken from this American film, Aamir Khan’s chemistry with Pooja Bhatt and the Indian adaptation of the plot earned the film great success in India.
Although ‘Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin’ was well-received by audiences, it became part of the conversation regarding Bollywood’s habit of adapting Hollywood stories.
4. ‘Ghulam’ (1998): Inspired by ‘On the Waterfront’
Aamir Khan’s ‘Ghulam’ (1998) is often credited with showcasing his intense performance alongside ‘Aati Kya Khandala’, which became a chartbuster. However, the film’s plot bears a striking resemblance to ‘On the Waterfront’, a Hollywood film that explores themes of corruption, social justice, and the struggle for personal redemption. The storyline of ‘Ghulam’ follows a similar narrative arc, with the protagonist battling societal pressures.
While ‘Ghulam’ was a massive hit in India and resonated with audiences, the questions about the film’s origins remained a part of the conversation.
5. ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’ (1992): A Reinterpretation of ‘Breaking Away’
The college drama and cycling race in ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’ (1992) can be traced back to ‘Breaking Away’ (1979), a film that focuses on a group of teenagers and their rivalry in a cycling competition. Despite its roots in Hollywood, ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’ infused Indian familial emotions and drama, making it an instant hit with audiences. Though the plotline was quite similar, the film succeeded in connecting with the Indian audience through its relatable characters and emotional depth.
6. ‘Fanaa’ (2006): Echoes of ‘Eye of the Needle’
‘Fanaa’ (2006) is another Aamir Khan film that shares similarities with a Hollywood movie. Aamir’s character as a spy in the film resembles the storyline of ‘Eye of the Needle’ (1981), where a woman falls in love with a dangerous lover, unaware of his true identity. The film’s intriguing plot and the chemistry between Aamir Khan and Kajol made it memorable for Indian audiences, but it was once again criticized for being a loose adaptation.
7. ‘Taare Zameen Par’ (2007): A Subtle Remake of ‘Every Child is Special’
‘Taare Zameen Par’ (2007) is often seen as one of Aamir Khan’s most original works. However, some critics have pointed out that it was inspired by a documentary titled ‘Every Child is Special’, which dealt with similar themes of children with learning disabilities. Despite this, ‘Taare Zameen Par’ stood out due to its unique treatment and direction, with Aamir Khan’s direction of the film touching many hearts. The film’s sensitive portrayal of the subject matter, along with its unforgettable performances, elevated it above the comparison to the original work.
8. ‘Three Idiots’ (2009): Based on Chetan Bhagat’s Novel ‘Five Point Someone’
The film ‘Three Idiots’ (2009) was inspired by Chetan Bhagat’s novel ‘Five Point Someone’, which focused on the pressures faced by engineering students in India. Although the film was a huge hit and earned immense popularity, a credit controversy over the screenplay led to a dispute. The core story was based on ‘Five Point Someone’, and despite some changes in the script, many elements of the story remained the same, leading to accusations of it being a “copy”.
9. ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ (2022): A Remake of ‘Forrest Gump’
Finally, Aamir Khan’s ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ (2022) was marketed as an official remake of the Hollywood classic ‘Forrest Gump’ (1994). The film, however, failed to capture the same charm as its predecessor, despite Aamir Khan’s stellar performance. The film was a box-office disappointment, and many felt that it failed to adapt the original in a way that resonated with Indian audiences. Despite Aamir’s efforts, the film fell short of expectations, raising questions about the challenges of remaking such an iconic film in a different cultural context.
Aamir Khan’s career is undeniably marked by a significant number of remakes and adaptations of Hollywood films. While some of these adaptations have faced criticism for their lack of originality, others have been highly successful in terms of both box office and audience reception. Aamir’s ability to Indianize these stories and add his own unique touch to them is what sets his films apart.
Despite the criticism, it is clear that Aamir Khan’s adaptations continue to be an important part of his career. Whether you consider them as inspired by or remade, these films have become classics in Indian cinema, largely due to the innovative ways in which he has reinterpreted them for Indian audiences.
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