Kamal Haasan Birthday Special: From ‘Nayakan’ to ‘Kaathala Kaathala’, 10 Movies of Ulaganayagan That Were Remade in Bollywood With Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Others!

With a career spanning over six decades and countless accolades to his name, Kamal Haasan is not only a cinematic icon but also a multifaceted talent who has continually pushed the boundaries of Indian filmmaking. Born on November 7, 1954, in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, Kamal Haasan (originally named Parthasarathy Srinivasan) began his career as a child artist in Kalathur Kannamma (1960) and won the Rashtrapati Award for Best Child Artist in his debut film itself. You could say a star was born that very day! Kamal quickly proved himself to be a versatile actor known for his deep commitment to the craft. From dramas and comedies to action thrillers and experimental cinema, he has seamlessly shifted between genres, languages, and roles, earning a special place in Indian cinema. ‘Thug Life’: Kamal Haasan’s Birthday Surprise - Makers Unveil Exciting Glimpse From the Film.

Affectionately called Ulaganayagan, Kamal Haasan is among the rare Indian actors for whom language is no barrier. Even though he is predominantly a Tamil star, he has worked extensively in Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada films and even appeared in a Bengali film. Kamal has won numerous awards, including four National Film Awards and nineteen Filmfare Awards (two of them in Hindi). His performances in films like Sadma, Nayakan, Indian, Mahanadi, Dasavathaaram, Vikram etc showcase a range that few can match, establishing him as a true acting virtuoso. Beyond acting, he has left his mark as a director, producer, screenwriter, singer, and even a politician.

In this feature, let's discuss some of his films that inspired Bollywood remakes. Kamal Haasan has himself acted in several remakes, including a few borrowed from Bollywood (like Kuruthipunal, a remake of Drohkaal, and Sathyaa, a remake of Arjun. Or Vasool Raja MBBS, a remake of Munnabhai MBBS). Kamal has also starred in Hindi remakes of his own films (such as Sadma and Ek Duje Ke Liye). But here, we’re looking at films where other popular Bollywood actors tried stepping into his shoes—and how these remakes turned out.

So, on the occasion of Kamal Haasan's 70th birthday, we look back at 10 of his movies that inspired Bollywood remakes, with actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, and others taking on his iconic roles.

1. Nayakan (1987) – Dayavan (1988)

Considered one of Kamal Haasan’s finest performances, he was stellar as Velu Naicker in this Mani Ratnam gangster drama, loosely inspired by The Godfather Part II. Nayakan was later remade by Feroze Khan in Bollywood as Dayavan, with Vinod Khanna in the lead role. The Bollywood version was a cheesier adaptation, best remembered for the controversial kiss between Khanna and a much younger Madhuri Dixit.

2. Thevar Magan (1992) – Virasat (1997)

Directed by Bharathan, this classic starred legends Sivaji Ganesan, Kamal Haasan, and Revathy (who won the National Award for Best Supporting Actress). The master of remakes, Priyadarshan, adapted Thevar Magan as Virasat in Bollywood with Anil Kapoor and Tabu in the lead roles. Unlike Dayavan, this one was well-received and is considered one of Priyadarshan’s better works in Bollywood.

3. 16 Vayathinile (1977) – Solwa Savan (1979)

Bharathiraja’s 16 Vayathinile was a groundbreaking film featuring Kamal Haasan as a mentally challenged young man, with Sridevi and Rajinikanth in prominent roles. Bharathiraja himself directed the Hindi remake two years later, with Sridevi reprising her role and Amol Palekar taking on Kamal’s character. However, Solwa Savan did not fare well at the box office.

4. Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) – Red Rose (1980)

Though Kamal Haasan was recently acclaimed for his negative role in Kalki 2898 AD, he has rarely taken on villainous roles. One of his most celebrated negative performances was in Bharathiraja’s thriller Sigappu Rojakkal, where he played a serial killer who preys on young women. Bharathiraja remade it in Hindi as Red Rose, casting Rajesh Khanna in the lead. Unlike Solwa Savan, this adaptation was a hit.

5. Sathi Leelavathi (1995) – Biwi No 1 (1999)

Balu Mahendra's Sathi Leelavathi is considered one of Tamil Cinema's best comedies that revolves around an extramarital affair centring around Ramesh Aravind, Kalpana and Heera Rajagopal's characters. Kamal Haasan had a supporting role in the movie, and his comedy track with Kovai Sarala brought the house down. David Dhawan remade it as Biwi No 1, starring Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and Sushmita Sen, with Anil Kapoor and Tabu taking on Kamal and Kovai Sarala's roles. Biwi No 1 became the highest-grossing film of 1999. Kamal Haasan Birthday Special: Here’s How Superstar Got the Title ‘UIaganayagan’ and What It Means?

6. Pammal K Sambandam (2002) – Kambakkht Ishq (2009)

Kamal was outstanding in Moulee’s Pammal K Sambandam, playing a stuntman who has a watch left in his abdomen after surgery. Sabbir Khan remade this film as Kambakkht Ishq, featuring Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor. Despite its big stars and Hollywood cameos, Kambakkht Ishq lacked the laughs and finesse of the original.

7. Kaathala Kaathala (1998) – Housefull (2010)

Singeetam Srinivasa Rao’s Kaathala Kaathala paired Kamal Haasan with Prabhudeva in a comedy of lies and errors. Sajid Khan used it as inspiration for Housefull, which became a box office success. On a separate note, the climax of Michael Madana Kama Rajan, another Kamal comedy classic, inspired the climax of Welcome, also starring Akshay Kumar.

8. Magalir Mattum (1994) – Hello Darling (2010)

Singeetam Srinivasa Rao’s cult comedy Magalir Mattum follows three women dealing with workplace harassment. Kamal had a cameo in this film appearing towards the end as the 'good' boss. An attempted Hindi remake, Ladies Hostel, with Kamal playing a corpse this time (!), never released. However, in 2010, Hello Darling, a loose adaptation, was made with Gul Panag, Isha Koppikar, and Celina Jaitley, though it received little acclaim. Sunny Deol had a cameo in the movie.

9. Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985) – Aakhree Raastaa (1986)

Bharathiraja’s Oru Kaidhiyin Diary starred Kamal in a double role. Its writer, K Bhagyaraj, adapted it in Hindi as Aakhree Raasta with Amitabh Bachchan, and both versions were commercially successful.

10. Swathi Muthyam (1986) – Eeshwar (1989)

The Telugu film Swathi Muthyam, directed by K Viswanath, features Kamal as an intellectually challenged young man who marries a widow, sparking controversy in their village. Viswanath remade it in Hindi as Eeshwar, starring Anil Kapoor and Vijayshanti. Both Kapoor and Vijayshanti received praise for their performances.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2024 12:01 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).