AI Recommends: 5 classic Hollywood comedies featuring Anant Nag in the lead

It is possible that Anant Nag could unanimously be judged the most-loved actor by an audience that grew up in the 1980s and 1990s. Sure, one might have their clear personal favourites but there's no denying that Anant Nag left an indelible impression on almost every patron of Kannada cinema of the said era. His ability to effortlessly blend humour with impeccable acting skills and the versatility that he brings to the table is a rarity among actors, and one finds that to be true, particularly, in the comedy genre with films like Naa Ninna Bidalaare, Narada Vijaya, Gauri Ganesha and Ganeshana Maduve.

However, what if we were to reimagine some of the most iconic Hollywood comedies and bring them to the Kannada audience, with Anant Nag leading the way? We have tried to put together a super interesting list of Hollywood films that could hypothetically be remade in Kannada with Anant Nag bringing his unique comedic genius and imbuing the films with the flavour of Kannada cinema.

Anant Nag in the remake of Some Like It Hot (1959)

This 1959 Billy Wilder classic is adored by millions for its uproarious storyline and plot that were way ahead of its time. Anant Nag, in the reimagined version, could take on the role of Joe, a character immortalized by the great Tony Curtis. Playing a double role, the former could disguise himself as a woman (or women - "Josephine"/"Shell Oil Junior") to escape dangerous predicaments, leading to a series of comical mishaps and misunderstandings. Anant Nag would need a partner-in-crime which Curtis found in Jack Lemmon, and our best pick is none other than Ramesh Bhat! That leaves the alluring role of Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk that Marilyn Monroe played and we leave the tough task, of finding a suitable, like-to-like replacement in Kannada, to you!

Groundhog Day (1993)

Harold Ramis' existential black comedy is a cult classic not only because its plot is inventive, but also the audaciousness with which it has been both conceived and executed. The film's essence and charm are lost completely without Bill Murray's presence and who better than Anant Nag to recreate that affableness and frustration of the character? We pitch Vinaya Prasad or Lakshmi as the leading lady and once these aspects fall into place, the rest will take care of itself.

Airplane! (1980)

Anant Nag has proven countless times that he has the same penchant for slapstick or physical humour that he has for a more dramatic and understated form of acting. The Kannada comedy remake could take the premise of the iconic film "Airplane!" and feature Anant Nag as a hapless passenger who finds himself in absurd and comical situations on a turbulent flight. The film would offer a mix of physical humour and clever wordplay.

The Party (1968)

This comedy remake could cast Anant Nag as a bumbling and well-intentioned man who inadvertently creates chaos while attending an extravagant party. Inspired by Peter Sellers' iconic performance, Anant Nag would showcase his physical comedy skills and comedic timing, resulting in a riotous and entertaining film.

City Slickers (1991)

Anant Nag is no stranger to buddy comedies and his repartees with fellow actors like Ramesh Bhat, Mukhyamantri Chandru and others enunciate this fact. So, why not imagine him leading the cast of the remake of the classic Hollywood comedy City Slickers? Taking inspiration from Billy Crystal's comedy, this Kannada remake could feature Anant Nag as a middle-aged man who embarks on a humorous and introspective journey of self-discovery during a cattle drive adventure. Anant Nag would infuse the role with his own comedic sensibilities, delivering a heartfelt and amusing performance.

About the author: Chandragupta is part human brain, part generative AI. The former provides intellect while the latter does the heavy lifting of an artificial neural network. The name, if you haven’t already worked it out, is a backronym of ChatGPT.