Bollywood’s Unoriginal Gems: Famous Hindi Movies Copied From Hollywood

Baahubali: The Copied Phenomenon

The Baahubali series is a cinematic marvel that needs no introduction. With its breathtaking visuals and captivating storyline, this South Indian film has left audiences in awe, both in India and across the world. The film’s worldwide revenue of over 1800 crores is a testament to its sheer brilliance. However, what if I told you that the iconic scenes in Baahubali are not entirely original?

One of the most striking examples is the scene where the hero of Baahubali leaps across a chasm, bow and arrow in hand. This sequence bears a striking resemblance to a scene from the Hollywood blockbuster Avengers. The only difference is that while the Avengers hero uses his bow and arrow to latch onto a building and save himself, the Baahubali hero uses it to target a tree and make a daring escape. Additionally, the action sequence where Bhallaladeva catches the arrow fired by Baahubali is also a direct copy from a scene in Avengers.

But the similarities don’t end there. Baahubali’s signature shield, which plays a crucial role in the film, is strikingly similar to the one wielded by the hero in the Avengers movie. The directors of Baahubali managed to pull off this blatant copying without raising any eyebrows, leaving audiences none the wiser.

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo: The Bollywood Imposter

Salman Khan’s Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is one of Bollywood’s most famous films. The story of a king who falls ill and is replaced by his doppelganger, who then takes over the kingdom, is both unique and engaging. However, the shocking truth is that this film is a complete copy of a Korean movie called “Miss Granny”.

The storylines of the two films are virtually identical, with even the dialogues being strikingly similar in many places. The director of Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Sooraj Barjatya, thought he could get away with this blatant plagiarism, but the truth eventually came to light.

Animal: Ranbir Kapoor’s Unoriginal Roar

Ranbir Kapoor’s latest release, Animal, was a box office success, earning over $19 million in the international market even before its release. With a worldwide collection of over $110 million, the film seemed to have struck a chord with audiences. However, the action sequences in Animal are not entirely original.

The fight scenes between the hero and the villain are eerily similar to those in the Hollywood movie Old Boy. The way Ranbir’s character engages in the fight, the use of props, and the overall choreography are all direct copies from the Hollywood classic.

Despite the unoriginal action sequences, the unique storyline and the father-son relationship at the heart of the film managed to win over audiences.

Desi Boyz: Copied from a Commercial

Akshay Kumar’s Desi Boyz, released in 2011, was a comedy film that showcased the stellar acting prowess of Akshay and John Abraham. While the film was well-received, it turns out that it was not entirely original.

The scene where Akshay’s character creates a ruckus in the manager’s office during a job interview, with the intention of appearing distressed and gaining sympathy, is a direct copy from a television commercial. The commercial featured a similar scenario, where a man deliberately causes a scene to appear as a victim and gain the attention of those around him.

This blatant copying of a commercial scene into a Bollywood movie is a testament to the industry’s lack of originality.

Dabangg: Salman Khan’s Unoriginal Daring

Salman Khan’s Dabangg is one of Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters, breaking numerous records. However, the film’s action sequences are not entirely original.

The scene where Salman’s character, Chulbul Pandey, takes on a group of goons is a direct copy from the Hollywood movie Transporter. The way Salman grabs the villain and the subsequent action moves are strikingly similar to those performed by Jason Statham’s character in Transporter.

Furthermore, in one particular scene, Salman takes the copying a step further. He first attacks the villain’s face, just like the Transporter hero, and then pours oil on himself to prevent the villain from grabbing him – a unique twist that the Dabangg director added to the copied sequence.

Jaane Dhan: A Tale of Shameless Plagiarism

Jaane Dhan, released in September 2023, was a box office success, both critically and commercially. However, the film’s entire storyline is a blatant copy of the Korean movie “Perfect Number”.

If you watch the 2012 release of “Perfect Number,” you’ll find that the plot and narrative of Jaane Dhan are virtually identical. But the irony is that the Korean film itself was based on a Japanese novel called “The Devotion of Suspect X” written by Higashino Keigo in 2005.

This level of plagiarism is truly mind-boggling, as even high school students are more careful when it comes to copying in their exams. The Bollywood directors seem to have no qualms about shamelessly stealing ideas and passing them off as their own.

Housefull Series: Copying from Hollywood and Bollywood

The directors of the Housefull franchise have also not been shy about their love for copying. In Housefull 2, the scene where Akshay Kumar and others fall into a water fountain is a direct copy from the Hollywood film Love Rage.

Furthermore, in Housefull 4, the director, Sajid Khan, took his copying to new heights. Unable to find anything new to steal from Hollywood, he resorted to pilfering a scene from the Bollywood movie Dharmaal and incorporating it into Housefull 4.

This blatant disregard for originality and the shameless copying of scenes from both Hollywood and Bollywood films is a concerning trend in the Indian film industry. It raises questions about the creativity and integrity of the directors and producers who are responsible for entertaining audiences.

Conclusion

As you’ve seen, Bollywood’s penchant for copying from Hollywood and other sources is not a new phenomenon. From the grand spectacle of Baahubali to the comedic antics of Desi Boyz, the industry has time and again proven its inability to come up with truly original content.

While some of these copied films have managed to find success, it’s a disservice to the audience who deserve genuine, creative storytelling. The directors and producers who engage in such practices are not only cheating the audience but also undermining the hard work and talent of the industry’s genuine creators.

It’s high time Bollywood steps up and embraces the challenge of crafting truly original and captivating narratives that can stand tall on their own merit, without the need to resort to shameless plagiarism. Only then can the Indian film industry truly shine on the global stage and earn the respect it deserves.