October 3, 2025

Bollywood’s love for remaking Hollywood hits often spices up things, but sometimes it just spoils the flavour. Let’s dive into 10 Bollywood movies that tried to copy their famous originals but landed up missing that special magic! First up is Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), India’s version of the Oscar-winning Forrest Gump (1994). Aamir Khan’s hero with a Punjabi twist fought history like Tom Hanks’s Forrest. But the charm got lost because Aamir’s acting felt too exaggerated — what should have been warm became a parody. Plus, the movie dragged on way too long. Pity! Next, Dil Bechara (2020) was based on the tearjerker The Fault in Our Stars (2014). Though Sushant Singh Rajput and Sanjana Sanghi gave heartfelt performances, the emotional spark went missing. The story shifted from Indianapolis to Jamshedpur but failed to bring mature emotions. Its sentiment was there, “but the spark was DOA.” Players (2012), inspired by The Italian Job (2003), promised high-speed thrills but delivered boredom. Too many explosions, Russian gangs, and slow-motion scenes killed the real tension and emotional stakes. Instead of suspense, viewers got a noisy, lost plot. God Tussi Great Ho (2008), India’s take on Bruce Almighty (2003), switched Jim Carrey’s fun for Salman Khan’s bratty antics. Amitabh Bachchan replaced Morgan Freeman as God but lacked the witty charm. Jokes fell flat, and everyone wished for a miracle – which never came. Radhe (2021), a remake of Korean hit The Outlaws (2017), traded raw crime thriller grit for shirtless sermons and flashy dance breaks. The real edge was gone, replaced by shiny muscles and slow-mo bullets. Tough talk, but soft landing. We Are Family (2010) tried to recreate Stepmom (1998) but missed the deep emotions. Kajol and Kareena Kapoor played their parts well, but too many montages and not enough real-feel family drama left the story cold. Action Replayy (2010), inspired by Back to the Future (1985), got lost in bad wigs and clothes. Instead of thrilling time travel, it served ’70s costumes with no urgency, no tension, and no heart. Bang Bang! (2014), copied from Knight and Day (2010), had Bollywood style but lost the crisp plot. Hrithik Roshan’s biceps and beach scenes took over, while the soul of the spy adventure vanished. Partner (2007), the remake of Hitch (2005), was a box office hit but also a sexist, empty echo. Salman Khan and Govinda’s antics replaced the smoothness of Will Smith, turning romantic tips into comedy jokes that objectified women. Finally, The Girl on the Train (2021) simplified the complex thriller from 2016 into a soap opera. Spoiling suspense with over-explaining and excessive flashbacks, it lost the psychological deep dive despite the gripping original storyline. So there you have it! Bollywood’s bold attempts at Hollywood hits often added extra masala but lost the magic that made the originals unforgettable. Sometimes less really is more.

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Tags: Bollywood remakes, Hollywood originals, Movie reviews, Aamir khan, Film criticism, Indian cinema,