Covid Pandemic - Malayalam Movies make Merry as Telugu Film makers flounder dishing out run of the mill Films!

 First published on Facebook on 28th February 2021

CoVid pandemic has definitely changed the way we watch movies. Gone are the days of mega movies, fanfare, and first-day first show! 

The fulcrum of viewing had shifted to the viewers and what they like and see are very different from what was watched in the cinema halls. 

Content is the king and movies from Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada film industry are ruling the roost and the poor Telugu industry had fallen behind and appears like fish out of water. 

The best movies are from the above three languages. The movies are slick, short, well narrated and mostly do not have irritating comedy tracks, and last for roughly two hours. 

Topically made with great locales, tight budgets, and riveting screenplay, they are apt for the OTT audience. For example, Malayalam movies are made with tight budgets and succeed in breaking even or make decent profits on tight movie budgets.

In contrast, Telugu movies are caught in the time warp. They still harp on old stories, have inflated budgets, inevitably have either old heroes or their many children, brothers, brother's children, brother-in-law's children, sister's children as heroes. 

Also, most Telugu movies have jaw grating silly comedy and sillier songs. They go overboard in all aspects and tend to be too larger than life, In short, they are suited for large movie screens. 

They appear outdated and many OTT viewers are shifting to other languages.  Wake up Telugu film Industry. 

Comments

Krishna Panyam: Probably true, so a useful thing to do is to find and promote the better Telugu movies. I am sure there are one or two, which are lost in the mess.

Suba V G: Very disappointing to see MASALA CRAVING TELUGU producers!! They have no clue. Of what viewers need. Hardly any Telugu producers take survey !! Or feedback.

Rashmi D Rao: Well observed sir. I agree. The comedy level is so poor, even the comedy shows that are telecasted on TV aren't good at all. They portray double meaning poor jokes, men turning into women, badly dressed and they call it entertainment. Some movies are really good but they aren't promoted well.

Copy cats - Hindi and Telugu movies copied/inspired from Hollywood/English movies

Popular media reported that the movie Jab Tak Hai Jaan had copied its poster from the 2011 French movie  "Special forces". Check the site for more details  - http://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/shah-rukh-khan-s-jthj-movie-poster-inspired-copied-or-is-it-a-co-incidence/. 

Internet research brought out startling facts. As many as 140 or more Hindi movies were inspired or copied from mostly Hollywood movies. Similarly nearly 30 Telugu movies were also copied. I am sure more detailed research would bring out many more copied movies. 

Sad to note that a innovative director like Rajmouli (Telugu) has copied from Hollywood movies for his super hits like Sy, Magadheera and Maryada Ramanna. Where is originality?  Is it only about copying and making them into Indian movies. I was wondering as how many Hollywood movie directors have ever copied from even one Hindi/Telugu movie. Food for thoughts for Indian film makers.  

The list is very big and very thought provoking, Check out if your Favorite movie is also in the list  If it is in the list, see the original movie and try to see if which version is better. It would be interesting to get your feedback. 

    Hindi movie                              Copied/Inspired from

3 Deewarein                              The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Aap Ki Khatir 2006                   The Wedding Date 2003
Aatish                                         State of Grace
Abhimaan 1973                          A Star Is Born 1954
Aetbaar 2004                             Fear 1996
Agneepath 1990                         Scarface 1983
Agni Sakshi 1996                       Sleeping with the Enemy 1991
Aitraaz 2004                               Disclosure 1994
Ajnabee 2001                             Consenting Adults 1992
Akele Hum Akele Tum 1995       Kramer vs. Kramer 1979
Alag 2006                                   Powder 1995
Aradhana 1969                           To Each His Own 1946
Awara Paagal Deewana 2002     The Whole Nine Yards 2000
Awarapan 2007                          A Bittersweet Life 2005
Baazigar 1993                            A Kiss Before Dying 1991
Bas Ek Pal 2006                        Carne Trémula 1997
Bheja Fry 2007                          Diner de cons 1998
Bichhoo 2000                             Leon: The Professional 1994
Black 2005                                The Miracle worker 1962
Bunty Aur Babli 2005                 Bonnie & Clyde 1967
Chachi 420 1998                        Mrs. Doubtfire 1993
Chak De India 2007                   Miracle 2004
Chamatkar 1992                         Blackbeard's Ghost 1968
Chinagate                                   Magnificent seven
Chocolate                                   Deep Dark Secrets 2005 The Usual Suspects 1995
Chor Machaaye Shor 2002        Blue Streak 1999
Daraar 1996                              Sleeping with the Enemy 1991
Darr                                           Cape Fear
Dasvidaniya(2008)                     Bucket list
Deewana Mastana 1997            What About Bob? 1991
Deewane Huye Pagal 2005        There's Something About Mary 1998
Deewangee 2002                       Primal Fear 1996
Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke 2000     A Walk in the Clouds 1995
Dhamaal 2007                            It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. 1963
Dharmatma 1975                       The Godfather 1972
Dhoom(2003)                            The Fast and the Furious (2001) & Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Dil Bole Hadippa(2009)             She's the Man
Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin 1991   It Happened One Night 1934
Dostana 2008                            I  Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry 2007
Dushman 1998                          Eye for an Eye 1996
Ek Ajnabee 2005                       Man on Fire 2004
Ek Chhoti Si Love Story 2002   A Short Film About Love 1998
Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena 2005     Confidence 2003
Ek Ladka Ek Ladki 1992           Overboard 1987
Ek Ruka Hua Faisla 1986          12 Angry Men 1957
Fareb                                          Unlawful Entry (1992)
Fool n Final 2007                       Snatch 2000
Footpath 2003                            State of Grace 1990
Garam Masala 2005                  Boeing Boeing 1965
Ghulam 1998                            On the waterfront 1954
God Tussi Great Ho 2008         Bruce Almighty 2003
Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega 2000   While You Were Sleeping 1995
Heyy Babyy 2007                     Three Men and a baby 1987
Hum Hain Kamaal Ke              See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989).
Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin         Analyze This 1999
Hum Tum 2004                        When Harry Met Sally 1989
Humko Deewana Kar Gaye      Notting Hill 1999
Humraaz 2002                          A Perfect Murder 1998
I See You 2006                        Just Like Heaven 2005
Inteha 2003                              Fear 1996
Janbaaz                                    Duel in the Sun (1946)
Jism 2003                                Body Heat 1981
Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar           Breaking Away 1979
Josh 2000                                West side story 1961
Judwaa 1997                            Twin Dragons 1992
Jurm 2005                                Double Jeopardy 1999
Kaante 2002                            Reservoir Dogs 1992
Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye       The Wedding Singer 1998
Karz 1980                               The Reincarnation of Peter Proud 1975
Kasoor 2001                            Jagged Edge 1985
Khal-Naaikaa 1993                 The Hand That Rocks The Cradle 1992
Khoon Bhari Maang 1988       Return to Eden 1983
Khotey Sikkay 1973                The Magnificent Seven 1960
Koi Mil Gaya 2003                    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 1982
Krrish 2006                                 Paycheck
Kucch To Hai 2003                 I Know What You Did Last Summer 1997
Kyun Ki 2005                          One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 1975
Life Ho To Aisi                       The Ghost
Life In A... Metro 2007           The apartment 1960
Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta           Liar Liar 1997 Main Aisa Hi Hoon 2005         I am Sam 2001
Main Khiladi Tu Anari 1994   The Hard Way 1991
Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya?          Cactus Flower 1969
Malamaal Weekly 2006          Waking Ned 1998
Manorama Six Feet Under      Chinatown 1974
Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai        My Best Friend's Wedding  1997
Mohabbatein 2000                   Dead Poets Society 1989
Mr Ya Miss                             Hot Chicks
Munnabhai MBBS(2003)       Patch Adams(1998)
Murder 2004                           Unfaithful 2002
Musafir 2004                          U-Turn 1997
Naina 2005                             The Eye 2002
Naksha 2006                           The Rundown 2003
Naqaab 2007                           Dot the I 2003
Nishabd 2007                          Lolita 1962
Paap 2004                               The Witness 1969
Papi Gudia 1996                     Child's Play 1988
Partner                                    Hitch 2005
Phir Hera Pheri 2006              Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels 1998
Phir Milenge 2004                  Philadelphia 1993
Plan 2004                                Suicide Kings 1997
Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya 2001    Fatal attraction 1987
Pyar To Hona Hi Tha 1998    French Kiss 1995
Qayamat: City Under Threat  The Rock 1996
Raaz 2002                               What Lies Beneath 2000
Race 2008                               Goodbye Lover 1998
Rafoo Chakkar 1975               Some Like It Hot 1959
Rang De Basanti                    All My Sons (1948) & Jesus of Montreal.
Rangeela                                Win a Date with Tadf Hamilton
Saaya 2003                             Dragonfly 2002
Sadak                                      Taxi Driver (Robert de niro)
Salaam Namaste                     Nine Months
Salaam-e-Ishq                         Love Actually
Sangharsh 1999                      The Silence of the Lambs 1991
Sarkar 2005                            The Godfather 1972
Satte Pe Satta 1982                 Seven Brides For Seven Brothers 1954
Sauda                                      Indecent Proposal (1993) ,The Deal (2005)
Shaukeen 1981                       Boys' Night Out 1962
Shaurya 2008                         A Few Good Men 1992
Sholay 1975                           The Magnificent Seven 1960
Shukriya                                 Till Death Do Us Apart 2004 Meet Joe Black 1998
Singh Is Kinng 2008               Miracles 1989
Speed 2007                             Cellular 2004
Ta Ra Rum Pum 2007            Days of Thunder 1990
Tathastu 2006                         John Q 2002
Taxi No. 9211 2006               Changing Lanes 2002
Tezaab 1988                           Streets of fire 1984
The Burning Train 1980         Shinkansen Daibakuha1975
The Killer 2006                      Collateral 2004
The Train 2007                       Derailed 2005
U me aur hum(2008)              The notebook and A Moment To Remember (korean)
Ugly Aur Pagli 2008              My Sassy Girl 2001
Welcome 2007                      Mickey Blue Eyes 1999
Yaraana 1995                        Sleeping with the Enemy 1991
Yeh Dillagi 1994                  Sabrina 1954
Yuvvraaj 2008                      Rain Man 1988
Zeher 2005                           Out of Time 2003
Zinda 2006                           Oldboy 2003

  Telugu movie                        Copied/Inspired from

16 Days (2008)                     Lucky Number Slevin
Aakashamanthe,                   Father of the Bride
Amaravathi 2009                 Korean Movie 'H'
Arundhati,                            Sleepy Hollow
Athadu (2005)                     Assassins and US Marshals
Criminal                               Fugitive
Game 2006                          Changing lanes
Ghajini 2008                        Memento
Homam 2008                       Departed
Indumathi 2009                   Psycho
Jagadam 2007                     Brazilian Movie ' City of God '
Kaavya's Dairy 2009          The Hand that rocks the Cradle
Khatarnak 2006                  The Departed, Infernal Affairs and The Punisher
Magadheera 2009               Gladiator, 300
Maryada Ramana                Our Hospitality
Mee Shreyobhalashi           Japanese Film Ikinai
Nenu Meeku Telusa           50 First Dates
Nirnayam                            Stakeout
Oy 2009                              Korean Movie ' A Millionaire's Love Story '
Pokiri 2006                         Departed
Prayanam                            The Terminal
Satyabhama 2007               50 First Dates
Stalin 2006                         Play it Forward
Thottigang                          Silver Silverman.
Veedokkade                        Catch Me If You Can
Visakha Express 2008        Stranger on a Train