Bollywood has always been a melting pot of creativity, borrowing ideas from books, myths, and yes, even other cinematic universes. While some films like We Are Family (Stepmom) and Laal Singh Chaddha (Forrest Gump) came with official remake tags, there’s a long list of "inspired" movies that conveniently forgot to give credit where it was due. From gangster dramas to emotional sagas, here’s a roundup of Bollywood films that tread the thin line between homage and straight-up copy-paste.
From Baazigar to Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, 16 Bollywood movies based on International films
Sarkar (2005)
Original: The Godfather (1972)
Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar mirrored the Corleones’ power struggles and family dynamics from The Godfather, with Big B’s gangster persona taking over where Marlon Brando left off.
Murder (2004)
Original: Unfaithful (2002)
Erotic thrillers have a way of crossing boundaries, and Murder did just that—literally. The film about a wife’s affair is almost a scene-for-scene lift of Unfaithful, complete with a dangerously unravelling marriage.
Baazigar (1993)
Original: A Kiss Before Dying (1991)
Shah Rukh Khan’s anti-hero act in Baazigar set the template for revenge thrillers, but its sinister inspiration came from A Kiss Before Dying, where the protagonist courts two sisters to settle scores with their wealthy father.
Agneepath (1990)
Original: Scarface (1983)
Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic Vijay Dinanath Chauhan has an undeniable resemblance to Al Pacino’s Tony Montana. Both films showcase an ambitious man rising from the gutter to rule the underworld, albeit with drastically different fates.
Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992)
Original: Breaking Away (1979)
The underdog triumph story of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar borrows heavily from Breaking Away, replacing cycling through Indiana with a memorable race in Dehradun.
Mohabbatein (2000)
Original: Dead Poets Society (1989)
Though layered with romance, Mohabbatein echoes Dead Poets Society’s core: rebellion through the arts, a rigid authoritarian figure, and a charismatic teacher advocating for self-expression.
Rock On (2008)
Original: The Happy Life (2007)
Bollywood’s ode to rock bands borrowed heavily from South Korea’s The Happy Life. Both narratives revolve around estranged friends reuniting to relive their musical dreams.
Ek Villain (2014)
Original: I Saw The Devil (2010)
The gritty revenge tale Ek Villain mirrors the South Korean thriller I Saw The Devil, albeit with Bollywood’s signature romantic flair.
Munnabhai MBBS (2003)
Original: Patch Adams (1998)
A lovable rogue in medical school is the heart of both Patch Adams and Munnabhai MBBS. The Bollywood version added its own masala with memorable tapori charm.
Bunty Aur Babli (2005)
Original: Bonnie & Clyde (1967)
Con artists on the run, a string of heists, and a splash of romance? Bunty Aur Babli owes a lot to Bonnie & Clyde, minus the tragic ending.
Dostana (2008)
Original: I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007)
Two straight men pretending to be a gay couple for personal benefits is the cornerstone of both Dostana and Chuck & Larry, but Bollywood added a dose of vibrant Miami aesthetics.
Phir Hera Pheri (2006)
Original: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
The chaotic heist comedy Phir Hera Pheri lifted its intricate, overlapping storylines from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, adding more slapstick humour.
Kaante (2002)
Original: Reservoir Dogs (1992)
This Bollywood heist drama wasn’t shy about its inspiration. Quentin Tarantino himself acknowledged the similarities, calling Kaante one of his favourite unofficial remakes.
Chachi 420 (1997)
Original: Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Kamal Hassan’s gender-bending comedy borrowed its premise— a father disguising himself as a nanny to stay close to his children—straight from Robin Williams’ Mrs. Doubtfire.
God Tussi Great Ho (2008)
Original: Bruce Almighty (2003)
This Salman Khan film was undeniably inspired by Bruce Almighty, with divine powers and moral lessons served up Bollywood style.
