Should we start off with the cliched line that Meryl Streep is one of the finest actresses in the world, if not the finest? Or that any year Streep does not receive a nomination at the Oscars is actually a loss for the Academy Awards? Born on June 22, 1949, in New Jersey, USA, Meryl Streep has turned 75, but she has no plans to slow down when it comes to impressing us with her performances. Cannes Film Festival 2024: Meryl Streep Honoured With Prestigious Palme d’Or at Opening Ceremony (Watch Video).

Initially a stage actress, Meryl Streep made her big screen debut in 1977 with Julia. From there, she has endeared herself to us with some fantastic performances over the years and decades. Some of her most notable movies include The Deer Hunter, Kramer vs Kramer, Out of Africa, Sophie's Choice, Death Becomes Her, Mama Mia! and The Devil Wears Prada, among others. Streep has earned a record 21 Academy Award nominations, winning three, one of which was for Kramer vs Kramer (1979).

If you are a Bollywood fan, you might know that Kramer vs Kramer was remade in Hindi in 1995 as Akele Hum Akele Tum, starring Aamir Khan and Manisha Koirala.

For this special story, we want to talk about a lesser-known Meryl Streep film that came five years after Kramer vs Kramer, which inspired a popular Hindi film with a major star cast that many may not know wasn't exactly an original story. Meryl Streep Birthday Special: From Kramer vs Kramer to The Devil Wears Prada, 5 of the Oscar Winning Legend’s Best Films to Watch!

The Streep film we are talking about is Falling in Love (1984). The romantic drama featured two acting heavyweights, Streep and Robert De Niro, and was directed by Ulu Grosbard. Here is a synopsis of the movie:

"The film follows Frank Raftis (De Niro) and Molly Gilmore (Streep), two married New Yorkers who meet by chance while Christmas shopping. Their paths cross again on a commuter train, sparking a connection that evolves into a deep emotional bond. Despite their initial attempts to resist their feelings, Frank and Molly struggle with the growing intensity of their relationship. As they grapple with their respective marriages and the moral complexities of their situation, they must decide whether to pursue their newfound love or remain faithful to their spouses."

Watch the Trailer of Falling in Love:

Does the storyline sound familiar? Yes, you are right. Falling in Love is quite similar to Karan Johar's third directorial film, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, which came out in 2006. The movie boasts a star-studded cast, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Kirron Kher, and Arjun Rampal.

Poster of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

While KANK is not a direct copy of Falling in Love, the premise of two individuals unhappy in their own marriages, meeting and becoming friends, and how that friendship turns into forbidden love that destroys their marriages, is too close a resemblance to be called a coincidence. What's more, both films are set in New York, and the climaxes of both movies see the lovers have their happy ending at the train station. If you are curious to watch Falling in Love, you can buy or rent the movie from Prime Video.

Watch the Ending Scene of Falling in Love:

Falling in Love, however, was a commercial failure at the box office; its Bollywood remake fared better but its success didn't supersede Karan Johar's previous directorials, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Before Falling in Love, De Niro and Streep had worked together in The Deer Hunter. They later also shared the screen in the 1996 film Marvin's Room, which also starred a pre-Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 22, 2024 09:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).