Bollywood remakes of hit South films have mostly been winning propositions, barring a few that haven’t worked. But the ones that have — like Rowdy Rathore (Vikramarkudu), Wanted (Pokiri), Ghajini (Ghajini), Hera Pheri (Ramji Rao Speaking) and the recent Baaghi 2 (Kshanam) — have been blockbusters. Rohit Shetty has also made a couple of remakes like the superhit Singham, which was adapted from the Tamil film by the same name. His upcoming Ranveer Singh-Sara Ali Khan-starrer Simmba is also inspired from the Telugu film, Temper.
When asked about his fascination with South films, Rohit said more than the movies, it’s the scripts and story ideas that interest him. “This is not a new phenomenon. Right from the 1960s, Bollywood has been remaking South films. It’s just that there’s more awareness now because of social media. The world is becoming closer,” he quips. He points out that several Hindi films also have been remade into regional languages. “Trishul, Don, Phool Aur Kante, Munnabhai MBBS, Golmaal 3, Bol Bachchan and Kahaani have been remade in the South. Now, they’re remaking Queen. Shankar, one of the biggest directors of the South, remade 3 Idiots. There is a lot of give-and-take between South and Bollywood,” he explains.
As for him remaking Singham and Temper, he says, “More than a remake, I look at it as the writer showing me the script, rather than narrating it. Besides, except for four-five scenes and the main character, Singham was completely different from the original. The same is the case with Simmba.”
