Shah Rukh Khan’s Paheli, Hrithik Roshan’s Agneepath – 5 films whose original version was a box office flop

Remaking a successful film is not a new trend in Bollywood. Several successful films of the past have been remade as these films. These films are a safe bet at the box office because the original was loved by the viewers and chances are that they would come for the nostalgia. Films like Don remade as Don : The Chase Begins Again, Sholay remade as RGV Ki Aag, Chashme Buddoor as Chashme Baddoor, Devdas as Devdas and Dev D, Hero as Hero etc. have been remade and cashed in on the name and glory enjoyed by the original. While some of them managed to repeat the feat at the ticket windows, most failed to live up to the original.

However, Bollywood, as an industry, also believes in giving good stories a second chance. We have remade many films that were box office disasters, simply because it had a promising storyline. While the idea might seem amusing, filmmakers are ready to polish the script and retell the story in their way. While some of these stories were such that had gained cult status over the years and hence were remade, yet others were remade for the promise they held. Let’s take a look at five such films that, at the time of release were flops, but later saw some successful, some unsuccessful and some disastrous remakes…

Paheli (2005) from Duvidha (1973)

This 2005 Shah Rukh Khan-starrer received mixed to positive response from the critics but didn’t work at the box office. The film told the story of a ghost who falls in love with a newly-wed woman, Rani Mukerji. The ghost then follows her and takes on the guise of her husband, played by Shah Rukh Khan, while the real one is away on business. The film was India’s official entry for the Oscars. Interestingly, it was the remake of a 1973 film called Duvidha, which, just like its remade version, was a hit with the critics but a commercial flop.

Karzzzz (2008) from Karz (1980)

After the success of his first film as a lead actor, Himesh Reshammiya decided to commit the blasphemous deed of trying to fit in the boots of Rishi Kapoor in the remake of his 1980 cult film Karz. We all know how Himesh’s version met a disastrous fate at the box office. But did you know the original Rishi Kapoor version was a flop, too, when it had released? It was later that the film gained cult status, thanks to its chartbuster songs, taut storyline and skilled performances.

Umrao Jaan (2006) from Umrao Jaan (1981)

The Aishwarya Rai Bachchan-starrer was the remake of the 1981 film by the same name. The original starred Rekha. Both the films were flop at the box office. However, the Rekha-starrer has now achieved cult status and is considered as one of the best films of all times. As far as the new Umrao Jaan is concerned both Aishwarya and Abhishek would like to forget this film ever happened.

O Teri (2014) from Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983)

Not exactly a remake but the 2014 film lifted the main plotline from this 1983 satirical comedy. The similarity in the two films is that the story is about two struggling reporters who roam around with a dead body. There are chances that you are not aware about this disastrous film and we don’t blame you. A little trivia here…Salman Khan’s alleged girlfriend Iulia Vantur had an item song in this one. The original, on the other hand, is much loved and is still considered as one of the best political satire to have ever been made in Bollywood. But as is the case with other original films in this list, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro was also a flop at the time of its release.

Agneepath (2012) from Agneepath (1990)

The original was made by Karan Johar’s father, Yash Johar, and despite receiving critical acclaim and Amitabh Bachchan winning National Award for his performance in the film, it was a flop at the box office. Karan Johar often mentioned the remake of the film as his dream project and even though the original was critical hit and commercial flop, the remade version was an instant success at the box office and had also received critical acclaim. The Hrithik Roshan-starrer was praised for its performances by Sanjay Dutt and Rishi Kapoor and was Hrithik Roshan’s first film to enter the Rs 100 crore club.