Over the years, many successful Malayalam films have been adapted to other Indian languages, spanning from classics to commercial hits. The most famous example is Manichithrathazhu, which was remade in Kannada as Apthamitra (2004), in Tamil as Chandramukhi (2005), in Bengali as Rajmohol (2005), and in Hindi as Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007).
Other examples include Garam Masala (2005), a remake of Boeing Boeing (1985); Hungama (2003), an adaptation of Poochakkoru Mookkuthi (1984); and Chup Chup Ke (2006), an adaptation of Punjabi House (1998).
With the new wave in Malayalam cinema taking audiences by storm, many recent films like The Great Indian Kitchen, Helen and Ayyappanum Koshiyum are currently being remade in other languages.
Silverscreen India brings you a list of some these upcoming remakes of Malayalam films.
Selfiee
The Akshay Kumar and Emraan Hashmi-starrer Selfiee is the Hindi adaptation of the Malayalam film Driving Licence (2019). Directed by Raj Mehta, it went on floors recently. Selfiee is co-produced by Karan Johar as well as Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, who played one of the leads in the original.
Led by Prithviraj and Suraj Venjaramoodu, Driving Licence was directed by Lal Jr and written by Sachy. After a successful theatrical run, the film had its digital premiere on Amazon Prime Video.
As per the official synopsis, Driving Licence follows “superstar Hareendran (Prithviraj) who is well-known for his driving skills and craze towards motor cars. Kuruvila Joseph (Suraj), a motor vehicle inspector, is a die-hard fan of Hareendran. To complete the shoot of his latest film, Hareendran needs to submit his license, which has gone missing, and to get a new license urgently, he goes to Kuruvilla, his biggest fan.”
The Hindi remake of the National Award-winning Malayalam film Helen stars Janhvi Kapoor in the titular role. It is produced by Boney Kapoor and directed by Mathukutty Xavier, who also co-wrote and directed Helen.
Helen follows the titular protagonist, who gets trapped in a meat-freezer at the restaurant she works at. The film is shows the efforts of her father and boyfriend to find her, while she tries to stay alive inside the freezer.
In an earlier conversation with Silverscreen India, Xavier said that the story of Helen was one that could happen anywhere and since it is not rooted in any particular region, it lent itself easily to remakes in other languages. It may be noted that the film was earlier remade in Tamil as Anbirkiniyal.
The shooting of Mili was wrapped in November 2021 and post-production works are underway.
The Kerala State Award-winning Malayalam drama starring Nimisha Sajayan and Suraj Venjaramoodu is set to be remade in Hindi, the film’s director Jeo Baby recently confirmed to Silverscreen India. The Hindi remake will be led by Sanya Malhotra and produced by Harman Baweja.
Meanwhile, The Great Indian Kitchen is also being remade in Tamil by director R Kannan. The film went on floors on March 5 2021. It has Aishwarya Rajesh and Rahul Ravindran reprising the roles played by Nimisha and Venjaramoodu.
The film revolves around an unnamed housewife (Nimisha), who finds herself trapped in a cycle of thankless, mundane domestic chores and is subjected to archaic prejudices and taboos in her marital home. Venjaramoodu plays her husband.
John Abraham, the actor-producer who predominantly works in Hindi films, has acquired the Hindi remake rights of Ayyappanum Koshiyum and will produce it under his JA Entertainment banner, which has earlier backed films like Vicky Donor (2012), Madras Cafe (2013), and Batla House (2019).
Ayyappanum Koshiyum was recently remade in Telugu as Bheemla Nayak with Rana Daggubati and Pawan Kalyan playing the roles of Prithviraj Sukumaran and Biju Menon, respectively.
The film revolves around the clash between Ayyappan (Biju), an upright police officer, and the politically well-connected Havildar Koshy (Prithviraj), who comes to the village with a motive.
Lucifer, the hit 2019 Malayalam political thriller film starring Mohanlal, is being remade in Telugu as GodFather, starring Chiranjeevi Konidela in the lead and directed by Mohan Raja.
Actors Nayanthara and Satyadev Kancharana are also said to be playing pivotal roles in the remake.
The Malayalam original was directed by actor Prithviraj Sukumaran. The remake is backed by NV Prasad, Konidela Productions, and Megaa Super Good Films.
The film’s synopsis reads, “A political godfather, who ruled the god’s own country, dies and a lot of thieves dressed up as politicians took over the rule. When question arises on the replacement of the ‘God’, just one name emerges; ‘Stephen Nedumbally’.”
In June 2021, producer Boney Kapoor told Silverscreen India that the Malayalam film starring Mammootty will be remade in other Indian languages. The producer revealed that he had acquired the rights to remake One in all Indian languages, and added that the cast and crew for the films would be announced later.
Directed by Santhosh Viswanath and written by Kerala State Award-winning screenwriter duo Bobby and Sanjay, One is a political drama that deals with the ‘Right to Recall’, which allows Indian citizens to remove or replace those holding certain government posts.
The Malayalam thriller featuring Kunchacko Boban, Joju George and Nimisha Sajayan, is set to be remade in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, the film’s director and co-producer Martin Prakkat told Silverscreen India.
He added that the Tamil remake will be directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon while the rights for the Telugu and Hindi adaptations have been acquired by Allu Arjun and John Abraham’s production houses, respectively. However, no official announcements about any of the remakes are out as yet.
The synopsis of the film on Netflix reads: “Three police officers become pawns for unscrupulous lawmakers when they are framed in an incident amid political elections and must flee to evade arrest. Kunchacko Boban stars with Filmfare Award South-winners Joju George and Nimisha Sajayan in this crime thriller.”
Omar Lulu, the Malayalam filmmaker, will be making his Hindi debut with the remake of his 2016 film Happy Wedding. In an earlier conversation with Silverscreen India, Omar said that he believes the subject is still fresh and the audience will enjoy the feel-good and light-hearted content. “Happy Wedding revolves around college life, travel and a wedding. And I believe this type of mood and subject fits the Bollywood model,” he added.
The film, which stars Siju Wilson, revolves around an engineering student named Hari, who tries hard to hold on to a successful relationship but fails each time. His cousin Manu, a motivational speaker, decides to step in and help his love life.
The 2018 Malayalam crime thriller film Joseph will be remade in Hindi, the film’s director M Padmakumar confirmed to Silverscreen India. He added that the film will be headlined by actor Sunny Deol and he will be directing the Hindi version as well.
The Malayalam original had actor Joju George essaying the titular character. The story revolves around a retired police officer known for his investigative prowess, who gets unexpectedly pulled into a criminal case involving organ harvesting after the death of his ex-wife.
Aside from being remade in Hindi, Joseph is also getting a Tamil remake titled Visithiran, starring RK Suresh, and a Kannada remake titled Ravi Bopanna, starring V Ravichandran.
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