I've been thinking a lot about movies in general the past couple of days and the topic of Bollywood "borrowing" plot lines seems to be bouncing around in my head, so I thought I would focus that thought and list a few Hollywood movies that I think would make for fantastic Indian cinema.
Gone With the Wind - One of the most epic pictures of all time, I can see this one directed maybe by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, with all his opulence and flair. Can't you just see Kareena Kapoor playing the spoilt rich daughter role to a tee? My first thought for the Rhett Butler role was Aamir, but I'm thinking Arjun Rampal may be able to pull it off after showing us a more serious brooding side to his acting.
Meet the Parents - Maybe a Priyadarshan film? Ranbir Kapoor meets and falls in love with Amrita Rao. Boman Irani and Juhi Chawla are her parents. Hilarity ensues.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith - With the advances that we have begun to see in Bollywood actions (I'm really looking forward to Blue), why not continue the trend? Hrithik and Aish did it, sort of, in Dhoom 2. I'd like to see them together again and flex those "acting" muscles for some out and out action sequences.
Must Love Dogs - We've seen plenty of movies lately with the older man/younger woman combination. Why not twist that and see the very lovely Madhuri Dixit looking for love and finding it with younger Neil Nitin Mukesh? Amitabh Bachchan revives his "sexy Sam" role and plays her young-at-heart playboy father.
P.S. I Love You - It's no secret that Kajol and Shah Rukh are my favorite jodi, and even though we get to see them again next year in MNIK, I say let's team them up again in this bittersweet love story. Bipasha and Preity are Kajol's best girls, while Arjan Bajwa plays the rough and rugged love interest and Saif takes on the Harry Connick Jr. spot. How's that for a collaborative effort!?
My Big Fat Greek Wedding - We often see weddings take place in films, but has it ever been the whole reason for a film? (Well, it probably has I'm sure). I would love to see the Indian version of this one starring Anushka Sharma in the lead with my Hollywood fav, funny and romantic John Krasinski trying to adapt, learn and fit into an Indian world. Or we could see a role reversal and see Anne Hathaway trying to impress Shahid Kapoor's folks. Either way, I think it would make for a great film with great heart!
and lastly....
Dukes of Hazzard - Okay, this movie was total crap, but I can't think of any other way to get Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar together, and this was the only brother and/or buddy movie I could think of. Plus, I'm sure Katrina would rock those daisy duke shorts!
August 10, 2009 at 12:45 PM
OMG - Hrithik-Aish in Mr And Mrs Smith! Lets start a signature campaign to make it happen. Please KJo, make this film, pretty please. :-)
Love the idea of Madz with Neil Nitin Mukesh, too.
Why are you not making films in Bollywood, WHY NOT?
August 10, 2009 at 3:12 PM
lol bollyviewer! Believe me, if I could I would be over there right now making films!
August 10, 2009 at 8:56 PM
When you're talking about weddings, just remember Sooraj Barjatya! Vivaah, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and Hum Saath Saath Hain. Have you seen these films?
I would love to see Gone With The Wind in true SLB style! Rhett Butler..I'm not too sure which actor would do full justice to that character. Maybe SRK?
August 10, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Hi. Just saw your comment. Thanks. Loving your ideas for Bollywood adaptations. Would love a Hrithik/Ash take on Mr. & Mrs. Smith!! :)
August 11, 2009 at 6:22 AM
I WANT the Mr & Mrs Smith remake. MUST. HAVE.
August 11, 2009 at 7:49 AM
Bhargav - The only one of those films I have is Hum Saath Saath Hain and I haven't watched it yet.
I think SLB is the only one who could do a Hindi version of Gone With the Wind, but I didn't see Shah Rukh in that role. As much as I ADORE him, I thought that someone much more serious needed to play Rhett, but maybe I'm not giving him enough credit.
@ Lyregal - Yes, that seems to be the winning choice. Thanks for stopping by.
@ ajnabi - I think Mr & Mrs. Smith is the clear winner here. Maybe I should write a letter and put that bug in someone's ear?
August 11, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Great ideas, Shell!!
This is one of my favourite things to do, thinking up adaptation ideas... I do it with a friend of mine pretty often and it's such fun.
I love your ideas - I think the wedding one would be difficult to execute nicely, and way too easy to ruin (with horrible stereotypes), but hey... nothing wrong with a good challenge! And I love the Anne/Shahid version.
I love all your casting choices, actually (except for Neil opposite Madhuri, she has such a mature air to her, and to me he just seems so boyish and frankly out of her league - I'd probably go for Akshaye Khanna (liked them together in 'Aaja Nachle'), John Abraham, Farhan Akhtar, Rahul Khanna, Kunal Kapoor... someone like that, still fun, youthful and yummy but with a little more gravitas).
I agree with bollyviewer, you're VERY good at this! You should be doing this for real... you should definitely try to get these ideas to the ears of the right people....
August 11, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Daddy's Girl - thanks! You guys are WAY too kind!
About the wedding one - yes I can totally see it going very wrong (even in the original we saw lots of Greek stereotypes, but it was still a very fun movie).
I had a hard time pairing Madhuri up. I never thought of Farhan - even though I love him, I don't think he'd be quite right, and I have to say I think Akshaye would definitely be too old for this story. However, I think you are actually right on the mark with Rahul or Kunal. Either of those two would be perfect! Maybe we should try a collaborative effort and then watch anyone try to stop us!!!!!
August 11, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Yes - I think we'd definitely make an unstoppable team!
I know, the stereotypes in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' were handled lovingly and with sensitivity... so it could definitely be done.
Poor Akshaye - ironically, he's just 34 and Rahul is actually 3 years older! I don't know whether it's because he's been around (in Hindi films) longer than his brother, or whether it's the balding thing (I personally think he should just shave it all off and be done with it!), or maybe he just has an old vibe or something, but he just always seems older....
August 12, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Poor Akshaye! I did actually think he was older than that! Oops.
August 12, 2009 at 7:20 PM
you know what film i would love bollywood to do, it is Miss Congeniality that film is begging for a bollywood remake, can you imagine all the beauties plus songs while they're parading. i would have cast Priyanka chopra but she's already won Miss world so it won't be nice, i think Bipasha will make a good Sandra Bullock
August 12, 2009 at 7:22 PM
I think bollywoods done meet the parents already check out Mujhse shaadi karogi with Salman, Akshay and Priyanka
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mujhse_Shaadi_Karogi
August 12, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi is on my list to see, whenever I can find it. I wouldn't have thought it was the same with three lead roles. I'll definitely have to check it out.
Miss Congeniality would be total fun. I'm not sure about Deepika though. What about Genelia? And are we talking the first one or the 2nd?
August 14, 2009 at 6:04 AM
Oooh Shell, I absolutely love how you think! Especially Hrithik and Aish in Mr & Mrs Smith, that would be totally awesome :) PS I Love You would be fantastic Bollywood ishtyle too, no doubt about it!
I agree with Daddy's Girl on John, Farhan & Kunal Kapoor - that's something I'd like too see...
And I'd LOVE to see Imtiaz Ali doing his own rewrite/take on Before Sunrise, ideally with Saif & Preity ♥. Or possibly Konkona & Farhan, or Aamir & Kajol...
Thanks for a great, thought-inspiring post!!
August 15, 2009 at 2:24 AM
I was talking about the first one, i didn't recommend deepika i recommended Bipasha and i guess GENELIA WOULD BE FUN AS WELL
August 15, 2009 at 7:21 AM
Oops, sorry bollywooddeewana, my bad. I must have had Deepika on my mind for some reason! Genelia would be perfect for that role!