Bollywood's Love Affair with Korean Cinema: A Deep Dive

Bollywood has often drawn inspiration from global cinema, and the influence of Korean movies is no secret. While inspiration and thematic parallels don't necessarily mean outright copying, many Bollywood films have shown striking similarities with their Korean counterparts. Let's explore some of these intriguing connections.

Common Inspiration and Themes

Bollywood filmmakers often cite global movies as sources of inspiration. Sometimes, these influences are so apparent that they warrant comparison. Here are some prominent instances:

Rocky Handsome - The Man From Nowhere

Rolling Stones, as we proudly call them, have officially remade The Man From Nowhere from South Korea, starring John Abraham. The storyline revolves around a mysterious man who befriends a young girl, with her mother killed and her kidnapped. John Abraham brings his own rights to the adaptation, adding a fresh spin on the original narrative.

Ek Villain - I Saw The Devil

Ek Villain, directed by Mohit Suri, starring Sidharth Malhotra, Shraddha Kapoor, and Riteish Deshmukh, was inspired by the Korean film I Saw The Devil, starring Choi Min Sik. While Bollywood floated a balanced and tame version compared to the gory original, the plots still mirror with eerie precision. Ek Villain captures the essence and suspense of its South Korea counterpart but refrains from the grotesque violence present in the original.

Zinda - Oldboy

Zinda reiterates the tale of a man seeking vengeance for his abduction and the secret behind it. It stars Sanjay Dutt and John Abraham. While the South Korean film Oldboy, known for its deep psychological exploration, is revered worldwide, Zinda couldn't make the same impact, marking it as one of the missed opportunities in the remaking space.

Jazbaa - Seven Days

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's comeback Jazbaa was a critical darling despite its lackluster box office performance. The movie draws heavily from the plot of the South Korean film Seven Days. Jazbaa tells the story of a female lawyer fighting for her kidnapped daughter, providing a strong narrative similar to the original.

Murder 2 - The Chaser

Bollywood's gritty remake of the South Korean superhit The Chaser, starring Emraan Hashmi, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Prashant Narayanan, captures the essence of a police pursuit. Emraan Hashmi excels in the role, his character tasked with rescuing missing sex workers, echoing the plot closely.

Awarapan - A Bittersweet Life

Awarapan is a complex narrative of a hitman protecting a woman, showcasing deep psychological conflicts. The South Korean original, also called A Bittersweet Life, performs flawlessly, while the Bollywood version, though solid, lacks the same emotional turmoil, with Emraan Hashmi's performance slightly underwhelming.

Te3n - Montage

Te3n, directed by Ribhu Dasgupta, stars Amitabh Bachchan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Vidya Balan, remake the 2013 South Korean film Montage. Amitabh Bachchan, known for his versatile roles, plays a 70-year-old man seeking help to save his kidnapped granddaughter, reminiscent of the original Korean storyline.

Do Lafzon Ki Kahani - Always

Levity and romance take center stage in the story of an ex-boxer and a telemarketer in love (or so they thought). The Hindi remake starring So Ji-sub and Han Hyo-joo is a charming tale, but Bollywood's version with Randeep Hooda and Kajal Agarwal fails to reach the same emotional heights as the original.

Rock On - A Happy Life

Rock On, a story of ambition and friendship, while loved by critics, lacks the same narrative depth as the South Korean film A Happy Life. The music industry drama is a classic of its genre, making for a wonderfully entertaining experience on the big screen.

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo - Masquerade

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, one of the most successful Bollywood movies, likely drew inspiration from the South Korean film Unknown. Both films tell romantic tales of separated lovers finding each other after years of sorrow, highlighting the subtle yet significant connections in their narratives.

It's important to note that while these connections exist, inspired storytelling doesn't necessarily mean outright copying. Global cinema often shares thematic and narrative elements, allowing filmmakers to draw from a rich pool of inspiration.

Bollywood's depiction of the same themes may offer a different cultural lens, providing a fresh perspective on classic narratives. The influence of Korean cinema on Bollywood underscores the global nature of film and storytelling.