Top 10 Indian Movies with the Most Remakes : India, with its many cultures and film industry, has a long history of adapting popular films to appeal to different linguistic groups. Some stories have such a strong emotional impact on people that they transcend regional boundaries and become international successes. Here’s a detailed look at the Top 10 Indian Movies with the Most Remakes in India and worldwide.
Table of Top 10 Indian Movies with the Most Remakes
List of Top 10 Indian Movies with the Most Remakes
Here are the list of Top 10 Indian Movies with the Most Remakes in other languages. Read till the end and let us know your favourite among these films.
Drishyam (2013)
Original Language: Malayalam
Director: Jeethu Joseph
Plot: A middle-class man goes to great measures to protect his family after they become involved in a crime.
Why It Works: The riveting plot, realistic representation of characters, and unexpected twists make this a classic thriller.
Remakes Across Languages:
Kannada – Drishya (2014)
Telugu – Drushyam (2014)
Tamil – Papanasam (2015, starring Kamal Haasan)
Hindi – Drishyam (2015) and Drishyam 2 (2022, starring Ajay Devgn)
Sinhalese – Dharma Yuddhaya (2017)
Chinese – Sheep Without a Shepherd (2019)
Indonesian – Teka-Teki Tika (2021)
This film has become one of the most remade movies in India, particularly popular as a Bollywood remake and internationally.
—
Ramudu Bheemudu (1964)
Original Language: Telugu
Plot: A story about twin boys separated at birth with opposing personalities who swap places to conquer their difficulties.
Why It Works: The double-role concept, which mixed humor and drama, was groundbreaking at the time.
Remakes Across Languages:
Hindi – Ram Aur Shyam (1967, starring Dilip Kumar)
Tamil – Enga Veettu Pillai (1965, starring M.G. Ramachandran)
Kannada – Bhale Jodi (1970)
Malayalam – Ajayanum Vijayanum (1976)
The story became a classic Indian movie with significant regional movie remakes.
—
Vikramarkudu (2006)
Original Language: Telugu
Director: S.S. Rajamouli
Plot: A small-time thief’s life changes dramatically when he is mistaken for his lookalike, a tough cop.
Why It Works: High-energy action, gripping story, and powerful characters.
Remakes Across Languages:
Kannada – Veera Madakari (2009)
Tamil – Siruthai (2011)
Hindi – Rowdy Rathore (2012, starring Akshay Kumar)
Bengali – Bikram Singha (2012)
This film highlights how South Indian movie remakes often inspire Bollywood hits.
—
Sethu (1999)
Original Language: Tamil
Director: Bala
Plot: A tragic tale of love and loss as a once-brash young man transforms after falling in love.
Why It Works: The emotional depth and powerful performances resonate with audiences across languages.
Remakes Across Languages:
Hindi – Tere Naam (2003, starring Salman Khan)
Telugu – Seshu (2002)
Kannada – Huchcha (2001)
The Hindi version, Tere Naam, became a Bollywood remake classic.
—
Devdas (1935)
Original Language: Bengali
Author: Based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel
Plot: The tragic story of Devdas, who spirals into self-destruction due to lost love and societal constraints.
Why It Works: The emotional depth, themes of love, loss, and sacrifice make this timeless across generations.
Remakes Across Languages:
Hindi – Devdas (1955 and 2002, starring Shah Rukh Khan)
Telugu – Devadasu (1953 and 1974)
Tamil – Devadas (1953, starring Sivaji Ganesan)
Bengali – Devdas (1979 and 2013)
Assamese – Devdas (1965)
The 2002 adaptation remains one of the most successful remakes in Indian cinema.
—
Bodyguard (2010)
Original Language: Malayalam
Director: Siddique
Plot: A bodyguard hired to protect a woman falls in love with her, leading to a mix of romance and comedy.
Why It Works: A perfect blend of humor, action, and love makes it universally appealing.
Remakes Across Languages:
Tamil – Kaavalan (2011, starring Vijay)
Hindi – Bodyguard (2011, starring Salman Khan)
Telugu – Bodyguard (2012)
Kannada – Bodyguard (2011)
This film shows how regional movie remakes can achieve national success.
—
Manichitrathazhu (1993)
Original Language: Malayalam
Director: Fazil
Plot: A psychological thriller that combines elements of horror, mystery, and superstition.
Why It Works: The perfect mix of suspense and comedy makes it timeless.
Remakes Across Languages:
Tamil – Chandramukhi (2005, starring Rajinikanth)
Hindi – Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007, starring Akshay Kumar)
Kannada – Apthamitra (2004)
Bengali – Rajmohol (2005)
This film remains a popular classic Indian movie remade for modern audiences.
—
Don (1978)
Original Language: Hindi
Director: Chandra Barot
Plot: A criminal mastermind’s doppelgänger is recruited to bring down the underworld.
Why It Works: The action, suspense, and Amitabh Bachchan’s charisma made it iconic.
Remakes Across Languages:
Tamil – Billa (1980 and 2007)
Telugu – Yugandhar (1979) and Billa (2009)
Malayalam – Shobhraj (1986)
Hindi – Don (2006, starring Shah Rukh Khan)
This film is an excellent example of Bollywood remakes inspiring regional adaptations.
—
Arjun Reddy (2017)
Original Language: Telugu
Director: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Plot: A self-destructive surgeon spirals into chaos after his love story ends tragically.
Why It Works: The raw, intense emotions struck a chord with younger audiences.
Remakes Across Languages:
Hindi – Kabir Singh (2019, starring Shahid Kapoor)
Tamil – Adithya Varma (2019)
Kannada – Ravi Bopanna (2022, loosely inspired)
This movie remains a significant hit among cross-language Indian films.
—
Thevar Magan (1992)
Original Language: Tamil
Director: Bharathan
Plot: A son reluctantly takes up his father’s role in the village, leading to a clash of tradition and modernity.
Why It Works: The emotional depth and strong performances made it an evergreen hit.
Remakes Across Languages:
Hindi – Virasat (1997, starring Anil Kapoor)
Kannada – Thandege Thakka Maga (2006)
Telugu – Kshatriya Putrudu (1992)
This is an iconic example of successful remakes in India.
—
Conclusion
These films’ success stems from their universal themes—family, crime, love, and redemption—which resonate with audiences across countries and languages. Filmmakers ensure that these stories are relevant and effective for future generations by recounting them with regional characteristics. These Top 10 Indian Movies with the Most Remakes highlight the strength of the original texts as well as the unity of Indian cinema and cross-language storytelling.
1 thought on “Top 10 Indian Movies with the Most Remakes Across Languages”