PremiumAhead of Thangaalan Hindi release, a look back at Vikram's Tamil films and their Bollywood remakes
A journey through Vikram's impactful Hindi remakes, from Sethu to Saamy.
Last Updated: 03.28 PM, Sep 04, 2024
Vikram, one of Tamil cinema's most versatile and celebrated actors, has had a significant impact on Indian cinema with his powerful performances. Many of his films have undergone Hindi remakes over the years, expanding the audience's exposure to his unique portrayals. With his latest film Thangaalan gearing up for its Hindi release on September 6, 2024, and the original Tamil version released on August 15, 2024, now is the ideal moment to re-experience some of Vikram's iconic Hindi remakes.
Here's a look at these remakes that captured the essence of Vikram's dynamic roles while bringing a fresh perspective to Bollywood.
Sethu - Tere Naam (JioCinema; ZEE5 [OTTplay Premium])
Jainendra Jain wrote the script for the 2003 romantic drama film Tere Naam, while Satish Kaushik directed it. Salman Khan and, Bhumika Chawla, making her Hindi debut, play the lead roles in the film, which is based on the 1999 Tamil film Sethu.
In the film, one street hero with a precious heart is Radhey Mohan (Salman). He is famous for his ability to beat up thugs to aid the oppressed and downtrodden. Even though Radhey has left the university, he still frequents the campus and engages in ragging on current students. Nirjara (Bhumika), a girl from a traditional Brahmin family, is one of the new students he rags. The elegance and candor of Nirjara captivate Radhey. Because he is hopelessly in love with her, he plans to marry her someday. Nirjara flat-out rejects him when he tells her he loves her. When Nirjara's older sister is in danger, Radhey comes to her rescue. After this incident, Nirjara finally comes to understand Radhey, and her prejudices against him begin to diminish. A group of criminals assaults Radhey just as Nirjara returns his feelings. His admission to an ashram follows his mental breakdown; there, he will undergo traditional medicine in the hopes that it will help him recover. However, the memory of Nirjara plagues Radhey, prompting multiple attempts to escape. His incarceration in an asylum began with his arrest.
Dhill (Disney+ Hotstar) - Dum (Prime Video; ShemarooMe [OTTplay Premium])
Ali and Karim Morani produced the action flick Dum in 2003, while Eeshwar Nivas directed it. It is a remake of the 2001 Tamil film Dhill. Supporting actors Sushant Singh, Mukesh Rishi, and Yashpal Sharma round out the cast, which also includes Vivek Oberoi, Diya Mirza, Govind Namdeo, and Atul Kulkarni.
The unwavering integrity and resolve of a police officer (Vivek Oberoi) to reform the system attracts admirers and detractors alike. Uday puts in a lot of time and effort to become a police officer. But he has to take a stance against the corrupt officer Shankar (Atul Kulkarni), who is his superior and makes his life hell.
Saamy (Prime Video) - Policegiri (JioCinema)
K.S. Ravikumar helmed the 2013 action flick Policegiri, which T. P. and Rahul Aggarwal produced. Sanjay Dutt, Prakash Raj, and Prachi Desai are the main actors in the film. This film is a formal adaptation of Hari's 2003 Tamil film Saamy.
Rudra (Dutt), the Deputy Commissioner of Police for the Hyderabadi town of Amalapur, is both tough and charismatic. He has made it his mission to rid the city of all filth and ensure that everyone can live in harmony. Off the record, though, Rudra changes tactics by compromising with the local thugs to better serve the people. The underworld, Don Nagori Subramaniyam (Prakash), controls the Southern states politically and violently. In an effort to restore order to the city, Rudra chooses to confront the problem head-on. Dutt portrays a roughneck officer with a humorous touch, combining elements of both good and bad policeman performances. Prachi (Sehar) plays the software engineer next door who falls in love with Dutt and marries him.
Raavanan (Prime Video) - Raavan (Prime Video)
Mani Ratnam co-wrote, directed, and co-produced the 2010 epic action-adventure film Raavan. Priyamani, Govinda, Nikhil Dwivedi, and Ravi Kishan play important roles, while Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Abhishek Bachchan are the lead stars of the film. It is Vikram and Priyamani's first film in Hindi. While staying true to the epic Ramayana's central storyline, the film updates the scenario to show things from Ravana's point of view.
In Raavan, a world exists, not a tale. Ragini (Aishwarya), a classical dancer who is just as wild and crazy as Dev (Vikram), becomes his soulmate. After they tie the knot, he moves to the northern Indian village of Lal Maati to begin his new job. In this town, Beera (Abhishek), a tribal leader who has gradually turned the tables on the governing elite, serves as the ultimate arbiter of justice. Dev knows that defeating the dominant force, Beera in this case, is critical to establishing order in any given area. With a single action, Dev tears Beera's world apart, setting in motion a series of tragic events that will alter the course of history. A confrontation ensues, bringing Dev, Beera, and Ragini into the jungle, where Beera, wounded but furious, strikes back.
The forest is deep, bewildering, and terrifying. They will also have to face their own truth as they travel. This journey will test their emotions, values, and principles to the limit. They will put the perplexing and terrifying moods of the wilderness to the test. The forest transforms into a battlefield. In this epic conflict, good guys like Dev and bad guys like Beera, in the context of Ram and Raavan, square off. How will you choose a side when the boundaries between right and wrong are rapidly blurring? Which side would you choose to fight on when hatred transforms into love and goodness appears evil? Everyone, including this Raavan, must fight the losing struggle of love.
David (Netflix)
Bejoy Nambiar directed the 2013 bilingual crime film David, starring Neil Nitin Mukesh, Vikram, and Vinay Virmani, and supporting cast members included Tabu, Monica Dogra, Lara Dutta, and Isha Sharvani. Jiiva played Vinay Virmani's role in the Tamil version of the film, omitting Neil Nitin Mukesh's section. The story follows three men, all called David, as they face a monumental decision that will alter the course of their lives irrevocably. In the Tamil version, there are two Davids.
David's three protagonists hail from various corners of the globe and three distinct time periods. The first David (Neil), a 30-year-old in 1975 London, is a mafia don's protege; the second (Vinay), a musician in 1999 Mumbai; and the third (Vikram), a 40-year-old fisherman in modern Goa!