Why Did Director Shankar Choose to Remake 3 Idiots as Nanban in 2012?

In 2012, renowned director Shankar decided to remake the critically acclaimed Bollywood film 3 Idiots, titled Nanban in the Tamil language. This decision sparked various discussions about the reasons behind his choice. Was it for its cultural relevance, star power, or simply efficient production value? Let’s explore the factors that led to this remake.

Successful Source Material

3 Idiots, first released in 2009, was a runaway success due to its crafty storyline and real-world relevance. Gemini Circuits, the production company, recognized the potential of remaking it in Tamil and Telugu. Producers were in talks with popular directors such as Selvaraghavan, Mithran, Jawahar, and AR Murgadoss, but these attempts didn’t materialize.

Director Shankar, however, was deeply impressed by 3 Idiots during its initial release. He felt that such a thought-provoking film should be part of his filmography. Consequently, he contacted the producers without hesitation and the deal was sealed.

Aamir Khans Role: In the Tamil remake, Vijay was initially slated to play Aamir Khans role, while in the Telugu version, Mahesh Babu was to take on the same role. Vijay later backed out and Surya was approached, but due to scheduling issues, Vijay was contacted again. After the pressure of his father, Surya Chandrasekhar (SAC) and due to Shankars insistence, Vijay agreed to play the role.

Star Power and Fan Base

Casting Vijay in the lead role was a strategic move to tap into his massive fan base and box office appeal. Vijay’s popularity and his ability to draw in a large audience were key factors in Shankars decision to remake the film instead of developing a new script. Vijay’s loyal fans, looking for his next project, were a surefire draw.

Second and Third Hero Roles: Simbu was initially set to play the role of Sharman Joshi, but backed out at the last moment. There were speculations about his preference for Ajith, his idol, and the fans’ reactions. However, Simbu clarified these rumors through a tweet. Jiiva was eventually recommended by Vijay to play that role, succeeding in capturing the attention of Simbus’ fan base once again.

The search for Madhavans replacement was challenging. Arya, recommended by Gemini Circuit, was turned down due to suitability concerns. Ultimately, Srikanth was chosen for the role, given his familiarity to the Telugu audience.

Other roles required deliberation. Initially, Prakash Raj was considered for the virus professor role, and Shruthi Hasan for Kareenas role, but scheduling conflicts thwarted these plans. Ileana was considered but busy at the time. Sathyaraj, on the other hand, joined the cast as the professor.

Nanban: The Remake’s Impact

Shankar had to spend more time and money on songs, significantly increasing the budget. The film, despite its ambitious production values, did not perform as well as expected. It averaged in box office collections and garnered mixed reviews from critics. Overall, Nanban was an average effort, marking a departure from the success of the original 3 Idiots.

However, the remake did not fully capitalize on the original films impact, failing to replicate the same successful reception across the board.

In conclusion, while director Shankar’s remake of 3 Idiots as Nanban sought to maintain the original’s essence, factors such as audience appeal and production logistics may have influenced the final result.