Bollywood goes looking for a hit in old remakes

Mumbai: Success of Karan Johar`s `Agneepath` and Shah Rukh Khan`s `Don` has opened door for many more remakes of old hits in Bollywood.

Johar has hit the bulls eye by remaking Amitabh Bachchan starrer 1990 film `Agneepath`. The original, produced by his father Yash Johar, was a flop despite having big names like Bachchan, Danny Dengzoppa and Mithun Charaborty but the Hrithik Roshan-Sanjay Dutt starrer made Rs 23 crore on the opening day itself. The filmmaker had said that his father never got over the failure of the film and that`s what prompted him to produce a remake, which has been directed by debutant Karan Malhotra. Johar is not the only producer looking for gold in old. Director David Dhawan, whose last venture `Rascals` failed at the box office, is currently working on the remake of Sai Paranjpe directed college comedy `Chashme Buddoor`, which is popular even today because of the endearing performances by Farooq Shaikh and Deepti Naval. Dhawan has roped in Pakistani actor-singer Ali Zafar to reprise the fun and frolic moments of a student life. He is also keen to remake his own films like `Shola Aur Shabnam` and `Aankhen`. "Bollywood has always taken inspiration from the films which were hit in the past. These were the films which were close to people`S heart and I think this is a good idea to make a remake of those. The new generation should also know that how the films were in those days," the director said. Hrishikesh Mukherji`s `Gol Mal`, starring Amol Palekar, has inspired `Bol Bachchan` while Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini starrer `Satte Pe Satta`, is also awaiting a new version. It is not a old trend though. One of the most remade films in Indian cinema history is `Devdas`, which has seen some 11 remakes in different languages. Most recent are Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s grand epic `Devdas` and Anurag Kashyap`s `Dev D`. Bhansali`s film, starring Shah Rukh, Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya, is more famous for its grand sets and costumes while Kashyap took the modern route to interpret Sharatchandra`s classic for the new generation. Farhan Akhtar had his shares of critical appreciation and brick bats for remaking Amitabh Bachchan`s memorable 1978 film `Don` in 2006 with Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra taking over the roles essayed by Bachchan and Zeenat Aman. The director introduced a modern look, new songs and a new twist in the end, which was liked by the young audience. He attempted to extend the film into a franchise by attempting a sequel this year, which has not been as well recieved as the previous one but Akhtar and SRK both seem keen to take the franchise further. Ajay Devgn-Abhishek Bachchan starrer `Bol Bachchan`, directed by Rohit Shetty, is also inspired by `Gol Maal`. The film will see actor Abhishek Bachchan doing comedy after a long gap. In the past also, filmmakers have tried to recreate the good old days of cinema. Sudhir Mishra beautifully created the Bollywood of `50s in `Khoya Khoya Chand`. Himesh Reshammiya tried his luck with `Karzzzz`, a remake of Subhash Ghai`s 1980 hit `Karz` but despite adding three more words in the title, the singer failed to bring audience to the theatre. Filmmaker Raj Sippy has reportedly cast Karisma Kapoor, who is making her comeback on the silver screen after a hiatus, in the remake of `Satte Pe Satta`. It is said that actor Sanjay Dutt will be playing the lead role, essayed by Amitabh Bachchan in the original, and will also produce the film. Recent films like `The Dirty Picture`, `Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai` and `Om Shanti Om` refer to old Bollywood while Tigmanshu Dhulia`s recent hit `Sahib, Biwi Aur Gangster` took plot inspirations from Guru Dutt`s classic `Sahib, Biwi Aur Ghulam`, which is another favourite film from the past awaiting a remake. PTI