Remakes! Inspirations! Or, sheer coincidence!

Remaking of successful Hollywood films in India has been going on for ages. Indian producers hate the term 'plagiarism'.

Instead, they prefer to call their unofficial remakes 'inspirations'. In this report we list dozens of Indian remakes/inspired films as the Hollywood studios try to restrain this business of inspiration by allowing "The Wedding Crashers" to become the first authorised remake of a Hollywood film in India, writes Kathy Robinson in this exclusive report for iefilmi.com.

Yes, a Bollywood version of "The Wedding Crashers" could be the first official remake of a Hollywood film in India, according to reports, meaning giving due acknowledgemt to the original. Plagiarism stopped!

Warner Bros. Pictures India is in discussions with Bollywood banner Orion Pictures for an official remake of the 2005 comedy.

Wedding Crashers John Beckwith (Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vaughn), Washington D.C.’s top divorce mediators and lifelong best friends, have never met a wedding they couldn’t charm their way into. Guided by a secret set of “wedding crashing rules,” the pair attends a different wedding – and romances different bridesmaids – every week. But, when they crash the social event of the season, John falls for the daughter (McAdams) of an influential and eccentric politician (Walken) and decides to break the “rules” in pursuit of her love. What results is a wild weekend at her family’s palatial estate where the ultimate “crashers” quickly find themselves in way over their heads!

A deal to remake the Vince Vaughn/Owen Wilson starrer would mark a major step in an industry notorious for lifting plot lines from international productions without permission.

We look at some of the remakes/'inspirations' churned out by the worlds' largest producer of feature films- India. It's not a moment of pride, admit the culprits in private but defend their work in public by saying that art transcends boundaries. Some times two filmmakers come up with projects that could have common line of thinking, they say!

Bheja FryFor example, take two films- 'Bheja Fry' and 'Partner'- that did brisk business in India recently. 'Bheja Fry' (2007) by Sagar Bellary created a new market for multiplexes. Reportedly, the film was made within a budget of Rupees 100,0000 and went on to make almost ten-fold of the said amount. Now, every second filmmaker in Mumbai is interested in watching French cinema! Compare the two actors from the original and remake.

Diner de cons seThe film was a frame-by-frame copy of the French 'Le Dîner de cons' (1998), The Dinner of Idiots (The Dinner Game), directed by Frances Veber.

Director David Dhawan’s 'Partner' (2007) was a copy of director Andy Tennant’s Hollywood movie ‘Hitch’ (2005). Another super-hit remake was 'Heyy Baby' by Sajid Khan- a remake of 'Three Men And A Baby' (1987). The striking difference between the original and a remake is the usual Bollywood formula; songs, dances and limit-less comedy.

Three Men And A BabySome of India's best known movies have either been remakes or inspired movies. And, top directors and actors are guilty of encouraging this form of plagiarism. We welcome you to add to the list in the comments section. You can also suggest if we got it wrong below.

Remakes! Inspiration! Or, sheer coincidence?

• 'Chak De! India' vs ‘Miracle’ (2004)
• Krrish vs Paycheck (2003)
• 'Kaante' vs 'Reservoir Dogs' (1992)
• 'Hey Babyy' vs 'Three Men and A Baby’ (1987)

Heyy Baby 2007, a remake of 'Three Men And A Baby'

• 'The Train' vs ‘Derailed’ (2005)
• 'Ta Ra Rum Pum' vs ‘Days of Thunder’ (1990)
• 'Raaz' vs 'What Lies Beneath'
• Aitraaz vs Disclosure (1993)
• Jism vs Body Heat (1981)
• Raghu Romeo3 vs Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down (1990)
• Sauda: The Deal vs Indecent Proposal (1993)
• Ek Ajnabee vs Man On Fire (2004)
• Chocolate vs The Usual Suspects (1995)
• Salaam Namaste vs Nine Months (1995)
• Murder vs Unfaithful (2002)
• 'Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai' vs 'My Best Friend's Wedding' (1997)
• 'Kasoor' vs 'Jagged Edge' (1985)
• 'Analyse This' vs 'Hum Kisise Kum Nahin'
• Agni Sakshi vs Inspired by Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)
• Yaarana vs Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)
• Daraar vs Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)
• 'Naksha' vs The Rundown (2003)
• Mr Ya Miss vs Hot Chic (2002)
• Main Aisa Hi Hoon vs I Am Sam (2001)
• The Killer vs Collateral (2004)
• Tathastu vs John Q (2002)
• Awara Paagal Deewana vs The Whole Nine Yards (2000)
• Zinda vs Oldboy
• Kyon Ki... vs One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
• Aabra Ka Dabra vs Harry Potter (2001)
• Dhoom vs The Fast and the Furious (2001) & Ocean's Eleven (2001)
• Hum Tum vs When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
• Taarzan: The Wonder Car vs Christine (1983)
• Qayamat: City Under Threat vs The Rock (1996)
• Main Azaad Hoon vs Meet John Doe (1941).
• Maalamaal vs Millions (1985).
• Janbaaz vs Duel in the Sun (1946)
• Dansh (2005) vs Death and the Maiden (1994)
• Sangharsh (1999) vs Silence of the Lambs (1991)
• Ek Din 24 Ghante (2003) vs Run Lola Run (1998)
• Parichay vs The Sound of Music (1965)
• Josh (2000) vs West Side Story (1961)
• Deewane Huye Paagal vs There is Domething About Mary
• Koi... Mil Gaya vs E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Forrest Gump (1994)
• Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai vs Meet the Parents (2000)
• 3 Deewarein vs The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
• Kucch To Hai vs I Know What you did Last Summer (1997)
• Chor Machaaye Shor vs Blue Streak (1999)
• Deewangee vs Primal Fear (1996)
• Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai vs American Pie (1999)
• Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi vs The Parent Trap (1998)
• Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta vs Liar Liar (1997)
• Karobaar: The Business of Love vs Indecent Proposal (1993)
• Kartoos vs Point of No Return (1993)
• Judwaa vs Shuang long hui (1992) or The Twin Dragons.
• Fareb vs Unlawful Entry (1992)
• Akele Hum Akele Tum vs Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
• Criminal vs The Fugitive (1993)
• Hum Hain Kamaal Ke vs See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989).
• Akayla vs Cobra (1986).