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Cinema
When Shah Rukh Khan shot recently for Farhan Akhtar's Don in the chawls of Parel, Mumbai, he justified the remake trend thus, "In Hollywood people remake films and they are appreciated." Having acted in Devdas, which was another remake, Shah Rukh knows only too well the ageless appeal of classics. Devdas was hailed by the viewers all over. The remake rage, however, is not propelled by commercial considerations alone, filmmakers urge that old stories need to be retold. Priyanka Chopra who is slated to play Meena Kumari's ethereal part in Saheb, Biwi Aur Ghulam remarked, "My generation may not watch old classics and miss out on them completely, what is the harm in retelling classics in a contemporary format? That way they would learn about our rich cinematic heritage," she added. While critics lament that the trend stems from the dearth of original scripts, filmmakers are defensive saying that these fabulous tales must be retold. Ram Gopal Varma who is set to remake Sholay reasoned, "I saw Sholay at least five times when it was released, I want to make that film for today's generation." Echoing similar sentiments, Shah Rukh declared, "I grew up watching Don and I wanted to be a hero after watching it. It is like a tribute and today's children may enjoy the story retold. It may draw flak but will start a new trend of remaking old classics." Most old timers whose films are being remade seem to have no apprehensions about the remakes. As yesteryear diva Waheeda Rehman pointed out, "It is nice to see a good movie being remade, it happens all over the world. But the two shouldn't be compared. Look at the remake of Devdas, it worked so well." J P Dutta who is shooting Umrao Jaan at break-neck speed at his favorite locales of Rajasthan, related how remakes needn't be frame-by-frame copies of the original, "My take on Umrao Jaan will be quite contrary to what Muzaffar Ali did. My father O P Dutta's script for Umrao Jaan has been with me for two decades and he wrote the script with yesteryear heroine Nimmi in mind." New and improved version, they assert. For producers too, remakes appear to be a safe bet. It is a tried and tested formula after all. Last year turned out to be quite a remake bonanza - as Bimal Roy's Parineeta, a 50's romance set against Bengali backdrop worked well in Pradeep Sarkar's remake version, Shah Rukh Khan chose Mani Kaul's Duvidha, to be remade under his banner as Paheli, Dharmesh Darshan's Bewafaa was inspired by the 60's hit Gumraah and Akbar Khan resurrected the eternal love story of Taj Mahal in all its grandeur. The varying Box Office fate of these remakes just showed that there is no formula for success in showbiz. Not even remakes of hit classics. Remaking classics is not a prerogative of today's filmmakers alone. Earlier filmmakers also banked upon hits of yore. Sholay was inspired by Raj Khosla's dacoit drama Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman by Raj Kapoor's tramp-turned-hustler story Shri 420, Raja Hindustani by Jab Jab Phool Khile and the 90's comic bonanza Aankhen by Mehmood-starrer Do Phool. Not surprising that old themes get recycled time and again. Forthcoming remakes include Don by Farhan Akhtar, Umrao Jaan by J P Dutta, Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam by Rituparno Ghosh and more names are being added each day. Recently Pritish Nandy Communication announced remake plans of Vijay Anand's Guide with Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan playing the lead. But this remake saga isn't going to be smooth sailing as the rest. What with actor-filmmaker Dev Anand claiming exclusive rights to the script as well as the R K Narayan's eponymous novel. (Dev Anand Objects to Guide Remake)
Industry insiders have it that Yash Chopra is on the verge of remaking
his multi-starrer blockbuster Kabhie Kabhie, but Chopra denies the
rumors. The grapevine also has it that Sanjay Leela Bhansali would remake
Nutan starrer Gujarati folklore Saraswati Chandra close on the heels
of Saawariya. Plans are also afoot to remake Mahesh Bhatt's Arth.
Whether all these remakes can rework the old magic, only the viewers will
decide. Amitabh Bachchan The superstar has repeatedly singled out Guru Dutt's Kaagaz Ke Phool as his top remake choice. If Bachchan were to play the part of an aging and out-of-work filmmaker essayed by Guru Dutt, who would fit in as his co-star? Could be Aishwarya Rai or Vidya Balan but Waheeda Rehman as the top heroine in the original lingers in the viewer's memory. Sharmila Tagore The 70's sweetheart opts for the unusual romantic triangle of Safar that starred Feroz Khan and Rajesh Khanna, "Since the plot is so contemporary, the lady doctor-on-duty torn between her personal and professional commitments would still work wonders," she points out, "I would also like it if Devar were remade," she adds. Devar was the star-crossed tale of childhood sweethearts - Sharmila and Dharmendra. Waheeda Rehman Of her cinematic oeuvre, she chooses Guide to be remade, "They will have to cast a real good actor and a dancer for the role of Rosie," she cautions with a smile. Who can recreate Rosie, throwing her arms up in sheer abandon and dancing animatedly to the tunes of 'Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai'? Vyjayantimala Danseuse-par-excellence is rather proud of her Sunil Dutt starrer Amrapali. The regal romance between scintillating courtesan and the King had some dazzling dances by Vyjayanti. Although the film wasn't a big grosser, it occupies a special position in the hearts of cinefiles. Madhuri Dixit, a few years ago would have been an apt choice. Asha Parekh Never mind the fluttering eyelashes, Asha Parekh made a place for herself with her charming manner and twinkle toes. She would like the widow-marriage saga of Kati Patang revisted. March 19, 2006 The Week of March 19, 2006
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A
series of remakes of Hindi classics is under way. Putting technical advances
to best use, filmmakers are capitalizing on the emotional appeal of the old
plots and actors are pushing the envelop in a bid to serve up old wine in
new and fancy bottles. Amitabh Bachchan will play the menacing Gabbar Singh
in the remake of Sholay, Aishwarya will enact Umrao Jaan and
Shah Rukh Khan will rework the enigmatic Don. Is the remake rage
sweeping Hindi cinema today?
