This is the list of world cinema remakes in Tamil. There's always inspirations which are been unconditional when it comes to Tamil Film Industry as many films and its themes have been replicated from World Cinema. Over the decades, they have been defined on it course and indeed it has become an inevitable method. Sometimes, similarities persisted clearly on characterizations, where plots completely different.
View:
Log in to copy items to your own lists.
1.
Roman Holiday (1953)
A bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome. (118 mins.)
Director: William Wyler
“ May Madham(1994), a Tamil musical film closely based on the Roman Holiday. ” - Ram Dinesh
2.
The Sound of Music (1965)
A woman leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the children of a Naval officer widower. (174 mins.)
Director: Robert Wise
“ Shanthi Nilayam (1969) Tamil Movie film primarily based on The sound of music with a slight change in story and Climax. ” - Ram Dinesh
3.
Sunflower (1970)
An Italian woman conducts a desperate search for her husband, a soldier considered missing in action in Russia - like fifty thousand others during WWII. (101 mins.)
Director: Vittorio De Sica
“ Roja (1992), is about the woman's search of her husband, in Kashmir. ” - Ram Dinesh
4.
Very Bad Things (1998)
A prostitute is killed during a bachelor party and the attendees turn on each other as the wedding approaches. (100 mins.)
Director: Peter Berg
“ Panchatantram (2002), is Tamil Comedy film starring Kamal Hassan directed by K.S Ravi Kumar ” - Ram Dinesh
5.
Derailed (2005)
When two married business executives having an affair are blackmailed by a violent criminal, the two must turn the tables on him to save their families. (108 mins.)
Director: Mikael Håfström
“ Pachaikili Muthucharam (2007) is a Tamil romantic-thriller film directed by Gautham Menon ” - Ram Dinesh
6.
Memento (2000)
A man, suffering from short-term memory loss, uses notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thinks killed his wife. (113 mins.)
Director: Christopher Nolan
“ Ghajini (2005), a Tamil film starring Surya Sivakumar and Asin, directed by A. R. Murugadoss ” - Ram Dinesh
7.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
After a bitter divorce, an actor disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend secret time with his children held in custody by his Ex. (125 mins.)
Director: Chris Columbus
“ Avvai Shanmugi (1996) is a Tamil comedy film directed by K. S. Ravikumar and written by Crazy Mohan, which is an Indian adaptation of Mrs. Doubtfire. The film features Kamal Haasan in the lead role with Meena, Gemini Ganesan, Nagesh, Heera, Manivannan and Nassar. ” - Ram Dinesh
8.
What About Bob? (1991)
A successful psychiatrist loses his mind after one of his most dependent patients, a highly manipulative obsessive-compulsive, tracks him down during his family vacation. (99 mins.)
Director: Frank Oz
“ Thenali (2000) is a film directed and produced by K. S. Ravikumar and written by Crazy Mohan. The film featured Kamal Haasan playing the title role. ” - Ram Dinesh
9.
Tsotsi (2005)
Six days in the violent life of a young Johannesburg gang leader (Chweneyagae). (94 mins.)
Director: Gavin Hood
“ Yogi (2009) is a Tamil action-drama film directed by Subramaniya Shiva, Starring director-turned-actor Ameer Sultan, the film is written by Ameer himself. ” - Ram Dinesh
10.
Hardcore (1979)
A conservative Midwest businessman ventures into the sordid underworld of pornography in California to look for his runaway teenage daughter who is making porno films in the porno pits of Los Angeles. (109 mins.)
Director: Paul Schrader
“ Mahanadi (1994)is a Tamil film featuring Kamal Hassan, Sukanya, and Cochin Haneefa. It portrays the grief of a humble village man, who sees his family, property being ruined.It also depicts the growing problem of "Child Sex workers", where young girls are targeted and turned into flesh-trade. ” - Ram Dinesh
11.
Taken (2008)
A former spy relies on his old skills to save his estranged daughter, who has been forced into the slave trade. (93 mins.)
Director: Pierre Morel
“ Virudhagiri (2010) is an Indian Tamil action film written and directed by Vijayakanth, making his directorial debut. ” - Ram Dinesh
12.
Brewster's Millions (1985)
A minor league baseball player has to waste $30m in 30 days in order to inherit $300m; however he's not allowed to tell anyone about the $300m deal. (97 mins.)
Director: Walter Hill
“ Arunachalam(1997) is a Tamil language film starring Rajinikanth. ” - Ram Dinesh
13.
Fear (1996)
A 16 year old girl takes up with a charming young man who quickly shows his colors when he beats a friend simply for walking with her and then goes totally ballistic after she tries to break up with him. (97 mins.)
Director: James Foley
“ Kaadhal Kondein (2003) is a Indian Tamil drama film written and directed by Selvaraghavan, starring his brother Dhanush and newcomer Sonia Agarwal in lead roles.
The film's theme in itself is lifted from a German movie called 'Klassenfahrt' (English title, 'School Trip')...not only the theme but also the mannerisms of the original's lead guy. ” - Ram Dinesh
The film's theme in itself is lifted from a German movie called 'Klassenfahrt' (English title, 'School Trip')...not only the theme but also the mannerisms of the original's lead guy. ” - Ram Dinesh
14.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
A man must struggle to travel home for Thanksgiving, with an obnoxious slob of a shower ring salesman his only companion. (93 mins.)
Director: John Hughes
“ Anbe Sivam (2003) is a 2003 Tamil drama film directed by Sundar C and written by Kamal Hassan. The film stars Kamal Hassan and R. Madhavan. ” - Ram Dinesh
15.
I Am Sam (2001)
A mentally retarded man fights for custody of his 7-year-old daughter, and in the process teaches his cold-hearted lawyer the value of love and family. (132 mins.)
Director: Jessie Nelson
“ Deiva Thirumagal (2011) is a Tamil drama film written and directed by A. L. Vijay, that features Vikram in the lead role as a mentally challenged adult with the maturity of a six-year-old boy, while Baby Sarah, Anushka Shetty, Amala Paul and Nassar portray other pivotal roles ” - Ram Dinesh
16.
Beyond the Clouds (1995)
Made of four short tales, linked by a story filmed by Wim Wenders. Taking place in Ferrara, Portofino... (112 mins.)
Director: Michelangelo Antonioni, Wim Wenders
“ Autograph (2004) is a Tamil language film directed by Cheran. Cheran also plays the lead role in the film, and other cast members include Sneha, Gopika, Kanika and Mallika. ” - Ram Dinesh
17.
Judgment Night (1993)
When they took the wrong turn, it lead them to witnessing a murder, which left them running for their lives from the perpetrators. (110 mins.)
Director: Stephen Hopkins
“ Saroja (2008) is a Tamil comedy thriller film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu and produced by T. Siva. It stars Shiva, Vaibhav Reddy, Premji Amaren, S. P. B. Charan and Vega Tamotia in the lead roles and Prakash Raj, Jayaram, Kajal Aggarwal, Sampath Raj, Nikita Thukral and Nagendran in other vital roles. ” - Ram Dinesh
18.
Moon Over Parador (1988)
Little known actor, Jack Noah, is working on location in the dictatorship of Parador at the time the dictator dies... (103 mins.)
Director: Paul Mazursky
“ Indiran Chandiran (1990) has Kamal Haasan in a dual role. The story revolves around the corrupt city mayor G.K. Raju (Kamal Haasan) whose atrocities have no end. His assistant Kripakar (Charanraj) kills the mayor and plants a decoy, Chandiran (Kamal Haasan again), in order to find a stash of expensive diamonds hidden away by the mayor. ” - Ram Dinesh
19.
The Corsican Brothers (1941)
Douglas Fairbanks jr plays Siamese twins, separated by a good doctor [scalpel hemostat sutures quickly!!] after their parents are killed by Vendetta... (111 mins.)
Director: Gregory Ratoff
“ Neerum Neruppum (1971), Starring MGR directed by P. Neelakantan. The story is about the kingdom of Marthandan and Bhupathi are constantly at loggerheads with each other. The kingdom and burns down the castle with all its inmates.The truth is revealed to them when they turn twenty-five. The younger, among the two brothers, Karikalan (M.G.R) has a strange problem and undergoes every emotion of his elder brother Manivannan (M.G.R. again). How does Manivannan deal with the problem of his younger brother and beat the enemy.
Apoorva Sagodharargal (1949) is a Tamil film that released on 21 October 1949 starring M. K. Radha and P. Bhanumathi, directed by Acharya. It is simultaneously produced in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi languages by Gemini Studios. The film was made in Telugu as Apoorva Sahodarulu, directed by C. Pullaiah and Hindi as Nishaan, directed by S. S. Vasan. ” - Ram Dinesh
Apoorva Sagodharargal (1949) is a Tamil film that released on 21 October 1949 starring M. K. Radha and P. Bhanumathi, directed by Acharya. It is simultaneously produced in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi languages by Gemini Studios. The film was made in Telugu as Apoorva Sahodarulu, directed by C. Pullaiah and Hindi as Nishaan, directed by S. S. Vasan. ” - Ram Dinesh
20.
The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975)
When college professor Peter Proud begins to experience flashbacks from a previous incarnation, he is... (105 mins.)
Director: J. Lee Thompson
“ Enakkul Oruvan( 1984) is a 1984 Tamil film starring Kamal Haasan in the lead role. ” - Ram Dinesh
21.
Nine to Five (1980)
Three female employees of a "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" find a way to turn the tables on him. (110 mins.)
Director: Colin Higgins
“ Magalir Mattum (1994), Tamil remake of "9 to 5" has three women working in the same office (Revathi, Rohini, Urvashi) who are constantly harassed by their lecherous boss (Nasser). The three decide to gang up against him, but a strange accident complicates things when the boss lands in a hospital and the three women end up with the dead body of a terrorist. ” - Ram Dinesh
22.
Misery (1990)
A famous novelist is "rescued" from a car crash by an obsessed fan. (107 mins.)
Director: Rob Reiner
“ Julie Ganapathi (2003) is a South Indian motion picture. It is a remake of the 1990 American film Misery, itself an adaptation of the Stephen King novel. ” - Ram Dinesh
23.
Two Much (1995)
A young gallerist is in love with two sisters at the same time. In order to solve the problem he decides to invent his own twin-brother. (118 mins.)
Director: Fernando Trueba
“ Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar (1998) is a Tamil film directed by Sundar C and produced by K. Balachandar. Prabhu Deva and Meena played the leading roles. ” - Ram Dinesh
24.
She-Devil (1989)
An awkward and fat woman lives in the suburbs with her husband. She becomes a a monster who wants to revenge that her husband was seduced by an authoress who writes trash fiction. (99 mins.)
Director: Susan Seidelman
“ Sathi Leelavathi (1995) is a Tamil comedy film directed by Balu Mahendra. Kamal Haasan's own production company "Raj Kamal International" produced this movie. This film is loosely based on the 1989 comedy movie She-Devil. ” - Ram Dinesh
25.
Witness (1985)
A young Amish boy is sole witness to a murder; policeman John Book goes into hiding in Amish country to protect him until the trial. (112 mins.)
Director: Peter Weir
“ Soora Samhaaram (1998) is a Tamil language film starring Kamal Haasan in the role of police officer, ACP Athi Veerapandiyan. Its also well known for 2 major action scenes which was based from The Untouchables and Lethal Weapon. ” - Ram Dinesh
26.
Green Card (1990)
A man wanting to stay in the US enters into a marriage of convenience, but it turns into more than that. (103 mins.)
Director: Peter Weir
“ Nala Damayanthi (2003) is a Tamil film directed by Mouli and written by Mouli and Kamal Hassan. The film stars Madhavan and Geetu Mohandas in lead roles. It also featured guest roles from Kamal Hassan and Jayaram. ” - Ram Dinesh
27.
Micki + Maude (1984)
A bigamist must keep his wives from meeting each other, which becomes tricky when they're both pregnant. (118 mins.)
Director: Blake Edwards
“ Rettai Vaal Kuruvi (1987) is a Tamil language film starring Mohan, Raadhika Sarathkumar and Archana. This movie was an unauthorized copy of the Hollywood flick Micki and Maude. Balu Mahendra never acknowledged the original movie in the credits. ” - Ram Dinesh
28.
The Killer (1989)
A disillusioned assassin accepts one last hit in hopes of using his earnings to restore vision to a singer he accidentally blinded, only to be double-crossed by his boss. (111 mins.)
Director: John Woo
“ Rishi (2001) is a Tamil film, written and directed by Sundar C. The film stars Sarath Kumar, Meena, Prakash Raj and Sanghavi in lead roles. ” - Ram Dinesh
29.
Red Corner (1997)
An American attorney on business in China, ends up wrongfully on trial for murder and his only key to innocence is a female defense lawyer from the country. (122 mins.)
Director: Jon Avnet
“ Dhaam Dhoom (2008) is a Tamil romantic thriller film. Directed and co-written by Jeeva, its stars Jayam Ravi, Kangana Ranaut and Lakshmi Rai in the lead roles. The film revolves around a Tamil Indian doctor who, two weeks prior to his wedding, goes to Russia for a conference pertaining to his occupation, that of a doctor. There he struggles to cope with the language because of the Russian reluctance to speak English, and eventually, due to the gruesome murder of a local woman, finds himself in jail. How the doctor manages to get himself out of jail in order to get married to his sweetheart in India, with the help of an Indian female lawyer, forms the crux of the story. The movie is loosely based on the 1997 Hollywood thriller Red Corner. ” - Ram Dinesh
30.
To Each His Own (1946)
An unwed mother, forced to give up her child to avoid scandal, follows her son's life from afar even as she prospers in business. (122 mins.)
Director: Mitchell Leisen
“ Sivagamiyin Selvan (1974) is a Tamil film starring Sivaji Ganesan and Vanisri. ” - Ram Dinesh
31.
The Principal (1987)
A teacher is assigned to be the principal of a violence and crime ridden high school. (109 mins.)
Director: Christopher Cain
“ Nammavar (1994) is a Tamil language film starring Kamal Haasan and Gouthami in lead roles. Kamal Hassan plays a revolutionary lecturer/vice principal of a college. The movie is about how he tries to reform the downtrodden college by his initiatives and its consequences. ” - Ram Dinesh
32.
Rage of Angels (1983 TV Movie)
Based on Sidney Sheldon's novel. A young assistant district attorney (Parker) is used by a ruthless attorney (Morell) to get his client off... (189 mins.)
Director: Buzz Kulik
“ Makkal en Pakkam (1987) with Sathyaraj, Ambika, Rajesh, Nagesh, Raghuvaran. ” - Ram Dinesh
33.
The Bank Job (2008)
Martine offers Terry a lead on a foolproof bank hit on London's Baker Street. She targets a roomful of safe deposit boxes worth millions in cash and jewelry. But Terry and his crew don't realize the boxes also contain a treasure trove of dirty secrets - secrets that will thrust them into a deadly web of corruption and illicit scandal. (111 mins.)
Director: Roger Donaldson
“ Naanayam (2010) is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language thriller film written and directed by Shakti S. Rajan. ” - Ram Dinesh
34.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Upon arrival at a mental institution, a brash rebel rallies the patients together to take on the oppressive Nurse Ratched, a woman more a dictator than a nurse. (133 mins.)
Director: Milos Forman
“ Manasukkul Mathappu (1986) ” - Ram Dinesh
35.
Falling Down (1993)
An unemployed defense worker frustrated with the various flaws he sees in society, begins to psychotically and violently lash out against them. (113 mins.)
Director: Joel Schumacher
“ Evano Oruvan (2007) is a Tamil drama film directed by Nishikant Kamat who made his debut in the Tamil film industry with the film. It stars Madhavan and Sangeetha in the lead roles, with director Seeman acting in a pivotal role. ” - Ram Dinesh
36.
Changing Lanes (2002)
The story of what happens one day in New York when a young lawyer and a businessman share a small automobile accident on F.D.R. Drive and their mutual road rage escalates into a feud. (98 mins.)
Director: Roger Michell
“ TN-07 AL 4777 (2009) is a Tamil-language film directed by A. Lakshmikanthan. The film stars Pasupathy, Ajmal Ameer, Simran Bagga and Meenakshi in the lead roles. ” - Ram Dinesh
37.
The Parent Trap (1961)
Hayley Mills plays twins who, unknown to their divorced parents, meet at a summer camp. Products of single parent households... (129 mins.)
Director: David Swift
“ Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum (1965) is a Tamil film directed by the duo Krishnan-Panju, starring Jaishankar, Jamuna and Kutty Padmini. A Hollywood adaptation of The Parent Trap (1961), the film tells a story of twin girls bringing together their separated parents. ” - Ram Dinesh
38.
Coming to America (1988)
An African prince goes to Queens, New York City to find a wife whom he can respect for her intelligence and will. (116 mins.)
Director: John Landis
“ My Dear Marthandan (1990) is a Tamil language film starring Prabhu Ganesan and Kushboo Sundar for Sivaji Productions in the lead roles. The film has been directed by Prathap K. Pothan. ” - Ram Dinesh
39.
No Man of Her Own (1950)
Helen Ferguson, pregnant, penniless and dumped by her boyfriend Steve Morley, takes the identity of the pregnant Patrice Harkness... (98 mins.)
Director: Mitchell Leisen
“ Nenjil Oru Mul (1981), the story was fairly engrossing—On the eve of her marriage (arranged by her uncle), Madhu runs away to be united with her lover—only to catch that scoundrel in ‘a compromising situation’ with a woman companion, and to discover that he had wooed her only to usurp her money. Madhu returns home heartbroken and finds her uncle dead from shame. She leaves town, and meets her childhood friend in the train. ” - Ram Dinesh
40.
Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love (1979 TV Movie)
A young couple is overjoyed when they find out that, after having had two girls, the wife is pregnant again...
Director: Glenn Jordan
“ Anjali (1990) is a Tamil-language Indian feature film directed by Mani Ratnam, starring Raghuvaran, Revathi, Prabhu, Tarun, Shruthi and Shamili. Anjali is about a dying mentally disabled child, and the emotional trauma experienced by her family. ” - Ram Dinesh
41.
On the Line (2001)
A shy advertising employee meets his dream girl on the El train, but doesn't remember to get her phone number, resulting in an all-out search for the mystery girl (85 mins.)
Director: Eric Bross
“ Enakku 20 Unakku 18 (2003) Tamil romantic film written and directed by Jyothi Krishna. The film stars Tarun and Trisha Krishnan in the lead roles, while Shriya Saran, Vivek and Manivannan play other pivotal roles. ” - Ram Dinesh
42.
There's Something About Mary (1998)
A man gets a chance to meet up with his dream girl from highschool, even though his date with her back then was a complete disaster. (119 mins.)
Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
“ Pavalakodi (2003) the movie, based on the Hollywood hit There's Something About Mary, features uncharismatic actors in an unoriginal movie and offers nothing worthwhile to the viewer. ” - Ram Dinesh
43.
I Hired a Contract Killer (1990)
After fifteen years' service, Henri Boulanger is made redundant from his job. Shocked, he attempts suicide... (79 mins.)
Director: Aki Kaurismäki
“ Bale Pandiya (2010) is a Tamil action comedy film written and directed by Siddharth Chandrasekhar. It stars Vishnu Vishal and Piaa Bajpai in the lead roles. ” - Ram Dinesh
44.
The Dawns Here are Quiet (1972)
Based on the eponymous book by Boris Vasilyev, the film is set in Karelia (North-West of Russia, near Finland) in 1941 during WWII... (188 mins.)
Director: Stanislav Rostotsky
“ Peranmai (2009) is a Tamil action-adventure film. Directed and written by S. P. Jananathan it stars Jayam Ravi and Roland Kickinger in the lead roles while Ponvannan, Vadivelu and Urvashi. ” - Ram Dinesh
45.
Dog Bite Dog (2006)
A Cambodian assassin finds himself on the run from Hong Kong police after completing his assignment. (109 mins.)
Director: Soi Cheang
“ Mynaa (2010) is a 2010 Indian Tamil romantic drama film directed and written by Prabu Solomon, it stars Vidharth and Amala Paul in the lead roles. ” - Ram Dinesh
46.
Making Mr. Right (1987)
A reclusive scientist builds a robot that looks exactly like him to go on a long term space mission... (98 mins.)
Director: Susan Seidelman
“ Endhiran (2010) An human-android constructed by a scientist falls in love with the to-be bride of his creator. A slight change in the plot from the original movie. ” - Ram Dinesh
47.
Kikujiro (1999)
Brash, loudmouthed and opportunistic, Kikujiro hardly seems the ideal companion for little Masao who... (121 mins.)
Director: Takeshi Kitano
“ Nandalala (2010) is a 2010 Tamil drama film written and directed by Myshkin.Myshkin himself essays the lead role. ” - Ram Dinesh
48.
Love in the Afternoon (1957)
Director Billy Wilder salutes his idol, Ernst Lubitsch, with this comedy about a middle-aged playboy... (130 mins.)
Director: Billy Wilder
“ Engeyum Kaadhal (2011) is a 2011 Tamil romantic musical film written and directed by Prabhu Deva that stars Jayam Ravi and Hansika Motwani in the lead roles. The story revolves around a girl living in France who falls in love with a boy coming from India. According to Upperstall.com the film "seems to be a straight rip off from Billy Wilder's Love in the Afternoon, made way back in 1957". Love in the Afternoon was directed by Billy Wilder and starred Gary Cooper and Audrey Hepburn. ” - Ram Dinesh
49.
Butterflies Are Free (1972)
A blind man moves into his own apartment against the wishes of his overprotective mother, and befriends the freethinking young woman next door. (109 mins.)
Director: Milton Katselas
“ Raja Paarvai (1981) is a Tamil language feature film directed by Telugu film director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao. This film was loosely based on Butterflies are Free and the climax portion of the movie resembles that of The Graduate. ” - Ram Dinesh
50.
Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990)
Ricky is released from a mental hospital, and knows exactly what he wants to do. He hunts down Marina... (111 mins.)
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
“ Guna (1991) is a Tamil drama film starring Kamal Haasan, Roshini, Rekha, S. P. Balasubramaniam, Girish Karnad, Ajay Rathnam, Janagaraj, and Sharat Saxena. The movie brought out Kamal's best in the acting arena and remains his best movie to date, in terms of acting, according to the Madras Film Institute. This is loosely based on Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!. ” - Ram Dinesh
