09082024-LSTC-01.qxd 08-08-2024 23:46 Page 1 c m y b SOBHITA, NAGA GET ENGAGED Actors Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala got engaged at a private ceremony in Hyderabad in the presence of the couple’s families and friends. Chaitanya was previously married to actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. TRIBUNE Dark zone Taapsee Pannu, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, has said her role in its sequel is going to be more intense and darker. CHANDIGARH | FRIDAY | 9 AUGUST 2024 REMAKES IN THE PIPELINE Sheetal A AMIR KHAN has secured the rights to remake the currently viral Tamil film Maharaja, an action-thriller starring Vijay Sethupathi. But is there still an audience for remakes, when a majority has started watching good content with subtitles and also dubbed versions on OTT? If one looks at how Maharaja is grossing positive reviews and viewership on Netlfix or how Akshay Kumar-starrer Sarfira, remake of Soorarai Pottru, failed at the box-office, the question becomes relevant. But then one remake like Shaitaan works with the masses and producer-directors are back at it — investing in South Indian films that even remotely guarantee profits! As we bring a list of upcoming Hindi remakes of South Indian films, we also ask SARFIRA SHAITAAN 2 directors whether this remake formula still holds good in times when OTT platforms are blurring language barriers. Remakes is not a new trend. Movie critic and business analyst Taran Adarsh recalls how hit Hindi film Ram Aur Shyam (1967), starring Dilip Kumar, was a remake of Tapi Chanakya’s 1964 Telugu film Ramudu Bheemudu. Later, Ram Aur Shyam was an inspiration behind the films Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Jaise Ko Taisa (1973), Chaalbaaz (1989), Kishan Kanhaiya (1990) and Gopi Kishan (1994). He shares, “Filmmakers have always been taking inspiration or ideas from other movies. But now copyright laws are too strict and everything has to be done officially. But Hindi remakes of South Indian films or viceversa is not going to stop because of OTT.” On the other hand, well-known actor-filmmaker Rahul Mittra says, “Though my franchise Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster was an ode to my favourite film, Saheb Bibi Aur Ghulam, my writers and I consciously steered away from making a remake. Contemporarising the subject led to its success and hence I feel that remakes too can have streaks of originality. Just making a remake of a hit regional film at a time when audiences are watching subtitled films on OTT platforms is senseless. Also, cultural and linguistic differences between the audiences of the original film and that of the remake is also a factor.” Not all remakes are failing at box-office though. Shaitaan, which is a remake of the Gujarati film titled Vash, made Rs 211.06 crore in gross worldwide collection. It is the second highest-grossing Hindi film of 2024 till date. At the same time, Soorarai Pottru’s remake Sarfira couldn’t pull the crowd to theatres. Adarsh explains, “Like there is a good or bad film, there are good and bad remakes. As I had watched Soorarai Pottru twice, the surprise factor while watching Sarfira was gone. The same could be true for audiences. Shaitaan T HE Olympics have always been a stage where extraordinary lives and legendary feats converge, each athlete’s story adding depth to the grand spectacle of the games. From stories on Saina Nehwal to Abhinav Bindra, here’s a look at audiobooks and films based on the lives of these wonderful athletes. John: Varun Dhawan-starrer action thriller Baby John is a remake of 2016 Tamil film Their, directed by Jawan-fame Atlee. ■ Deva: Starring Shahid Kapoor, Deva is believed to be a remake of 2013 Malayalam film Mumbai Police. Not just that Shahid is playing a police office in Mumbai, but also because the makers, director Rosshan Andrrews and writer duo Bobby–Sanjay, are the same. ■ Kapkapiii: It is a remake of Malayalam film Romanchan, which was released in 2023. Directed by Sangeeth Sivan, Kapkapiii stars Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade and Siddhi Idnani. ■ Dhadak 2: A sequel of Dhadak, this one is a remake Pariyerum Perumal (2018). Dhadak 2 stars Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri. Earlier, Dhadak was a remake of Marathi film Sairat. ■ Soorya: Actor Sunny Deol, who was in news for being roped-in for the sequel of 1997 blockbuster Border, has also signed Malayalam film Joseph’s official Hindi remake, which is titled Soorya. ■ Mrs: It is an official remake of Malayalam dramedy The Great Indian Kitchen (2021), which will star Sanya Malhotra in the lead role. Sanya bagged ‘Best Actress’ award for her performance in the film at the 2024 New York Indian Film Festival. ■ Baby Make or REMAKE? Hindi remakes of popular films continue unabated, despite some not going down well with the audiences. Experts say a fresh perspective needs to be injected into the script for remakes to find favour perhaps worked because not many had watched the Gujarati film. I believe if sometimes a remake is lost in translation, there are also times when remakes become better.” Perhaps that’s what actors like Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan believe in when they sign another remake! Akshay, unable to score with Sarfira, has another upcoming film, Khel Khel Mein, lined up, which is a remake of 2016 Italian film Perfect Strangers. The same is true for Aamir Khan, whose Laal Singh Chaddha, a remake 1994 American film Forrest Gump, wasn’t a success at the boxoffice, but he still recently bought remake rights of Tamil thriller, Maharaja, directed by Nithilan Swaminathan. Even Aamir’s son will be walking in his father’s footsteps, as Junaid has signed a Hindi remake of Tamil film Love Today, which will be produced by Phantom Studios. Actress Khushi Kapoor will be seen opposite him. According to Mittra, “With the decimation of the star system, remakes will lose steam further as even the biggest of stars cannot guarantee a mega box-office opening bereft of engaging content. Hence, filmmakers, writers and actors have to now create and back content that engages the audience, which is DEVA MAHARAJA already spoiled for choice.” Director Karan Guiliani also holds the opinion that Bollywood is repeating the same cycle of remakes. He shares, “Frankly speaking, I have seen Maharaja, Soorya and many other South Indian films that are being remade into Hindi movies. Why would anybody want to watch the same story with a different actor? We are not ready to put efforts on original content and rather focus on readymade scripts, which can be refurbished with a fresh banner and actors. Until and unless we are not working on our script, we won’t be able to deliver hit films.” ning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. CHANDU CHAMPION Gold: AppleTV + Chandu Champion: Prime Video Chandu Champion is a true story of an unsung hero, Murlikant Petkar. Starring Kartik Aaryan, this gripping film is based on India’s first Paralympic gold medalist, who, despite facing relentless adversities—from wrestling in rural Maharashtra to representing India at international events—never wavered in his resolve. Mary Kom: Netflix This is a gripping biopic that chronicles the inspiring journey of Mary Kom, portrayed by Priyanka Chopra. From Mary Kom’s early days in a boxing ring to overcoming personal and professional hurdles to her path to becoming a world champion, everything is depicted with emotional depth and resilience. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag: Disney+Hotstar Bhaag Milkha Bhaag tells the inspiring story of ‘The Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh, DANGAL When the Dangal: Prime Video screen turns sporty whose life was shaped by the traumatic experience of Partition. As a child, Milkha witnessed early struggles, but eventually rose as an athlete. Overcoming personal and professional hurdles, he became the first Indian male to reach the final of an Olympic athletics event. He was placed Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Dangal (2016) revolves around an authoritarian but loving father and his determined daughters. The eldest sister, Geeta Phogat, was the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in wrestling at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the first Indian Bose, this audiobook brings woman wrestler to life the first-hand to qualify for accounts of medalists and the trailblazers, including legOlympics. ends like Balbir Singh, tenFour years nis ace Leander Paes, and later, Babita emulated her BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG sister’s success by also winshooter Abhinav Bindra. Sports stars have often inspired filmmakers; here’s look at audiobooks and films based on the lives of these athletes fourth in the 400-metre race at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. My Olympic Journey: Audible Exploring the remarkable tales of 50 of India’s top Olympians through the eyes of Digvijay Singh Deo and Amit c m y b The film stars Akshay Kumar as Tapan Das, who assembled the country’s first all Indian hockey team. Written by Rajesh Devraj and Reema Kagti, Gold is inspired by the real events of Indian hockey team’s dream run at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and the 1948 games in London. Saina Prime Video Based on the ife of professional badminton player Saina Nehwal, the film stars Parineeti Chopra. Saina had won a bronze medal in the women’s singles at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. There’s also an audiobook titled, Playing to Win, in which Saina shares stories from her childhood, relationships, and more. A Shot at History Audible In this riveting autobiography, Abhinav Bindra shares his journey from a perfectionist athlete to becoming an Olympic gold medalist. His story is a testament to the spirit of an athlete deeply motivated after a near-miss in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Co-authored with sportswriter Rohit Brijnath, this audiobook is indeed inspiring. (Inputs by Sonali Dub)