10 American Films That Were Remade/Inspired From Indian Films

It's a well-known fact that Bollywood and other Indian film industry remakes many foreign language films and the list is huge, trust me. It's frustrating to see film fans debate and argue about how Indian films steals from foreign languages (mostly from Hollywood films). Yes, Bollywood remakes many American films, just as America remakes many other foreign language films especially Japanese horror films. 

I cannot think of blatant examples of copying. But there are people who have been heavily inspired by Indian cinema. "SlumDog Millionaire (2008)" director Danny Boyle has cited "Deewar" as a major source of inspiration. The brothers from Slum Dog Millionaire was supposed to be a tribute to the brothers from "Deewaar (1975)" . Martin Scorsese is known to have been a fan of Satyajit Ray and the realism in his movies. Satyajit Ray's 1967 script for a film to be called "The Alien", which was eventually cancelled after series  of discussion, is also widely believed to have been the inspiration for Steven Spielberg's E.T. (1982). Here are a few American movies that are obvious remakes/inspired by Indian films.

10. A Common Man (2013) Is A Remake Of 'A Wednesday (2008)'

"A Common Man (2013)" is an official remake of the Bollywood suspenseful thriller film "A Wednesday (2008)". Both are about a terrorist plant several bombs throughout the city and threatens to detonate them unless prisoners are released. The only differences are that "A Wednesday" did very good business at box-office and critically acclaimed whereas "A Common Man" failed to do so.

9. Win a Date With Tad Hamilton (2004) Is A Remake Of 'Rangeela (1995)'

"Rangeela (1995)" is about a lovable slacker who can't compete with a famous moviestar when it comes to winning the affections of a certain girl. "Win a Date With Tad  Hamilton (2004)" is about the exact same thing. The biggest difference is that in "Win a Date With Tad Hamilton" the girl wins a date with Tad Hamilton. In "Rangeela," the girl earns an audition for a part in the actor's new movie.

8. Hitch (2005) Is Inspired By 'Chhoti Si Baat (1975)'

Will Smith's "Hitch (2005)" was inspired by the Bollywood film "Chhoti Si Baat (1975)," although no one has said so publicly. "Chhoti Si Baat" is about a shy, young man who is unable to express his love for the girl he likes, even though the girl shows signs of reciprocating his feelings.  He tries to mimic a charming, suave ladies man, but fails hopelessly. He gets help from a man who makes it his business to help people change their lives.

7. Leap Year (2010) Is A Remake Of 'Jab We Met (2007)'

The creators of "Leap Year (2010)" claim it is not a remake of "Jab We Met (2007)," but the plot and scenes are way too similar for us to believe it. Both are about a heart-broken and serious guy who meets an extremely vivacious and talkative, silly girl who is determined to get to her boyfriend so she can propose to him. They fight. They stay at a hotel and have to share a room. They fall in love. They separate. Their lives are forever changed because of their brief time together. They reunite. The end. The only differences are that "Leap Year" takes place in Ireland and focuses on Irish traditions and "Jab We Met" has musical numbers.

6. Fear (1996) Is A Remake Of 'Darr (1993)'

Directed by late Yash Chopra, "Darr" is a 1993 Bollywood romantic psychological thriller film and one of Bollywood's biggest successes. Shah Rukh Khan created a character no one will ever copy. Shah Rukh Khan won acclaim for his performances in villainous roles as an obsessive boyfriend and a murderer, respectively.  Only in "Darr" do you wish the crazy stalker would win the girl and the protective husband would die.

"Darr (1993)" inspired "Fear (1996)," but many scenes are very similar. The biggest difference is the stalker becomes the boyfriend, whereas in "Darr" the poor crazy stalker doesn't get a chance with the girl. The obvious proof that "Fear" is a remake is when the stalker carves the girl's name on his chest, which famously originated in "Darr."

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