Bollywood is often criticized for taking inspiration from Hollywood, but did you know that Hollywood has also copied several Indian films? While some were official remakes, others borrowed entire plots, characters, and themes without crediting the original Bollywood movies.
From thrillers to romance and action-packed blockbusters, there are multiple examples where Hollywood has lifted scripts, copied storylines, or recreated sequences that were first seen in Indian cinema. Some filmmakers have even admitted to being inspired by Bollywood, while others have denied any connection despite glaring similarities.
In this list, we uncover 8 Hollywood movies that were copied from Indian films, along with side-by-side proof that Bollywood did it first!
1. A Wednesday! (2008) – A Common Man (2013)
Bollywood Original: A Wednesday! (2008) – Directed by Neeraj Pandey
Hollywood Remake: A Common Man (2013) – Starring Ben Kingsley
- A Common Man is an official Hollywood remake of A Wednesday!, a critically acclaimed Indian thriller.
- Both films revolve around an ordinary-looking man who takes the law into his own hands to expose terrorism, leading to a shocking climax.
- The screenplay, characters, and even dialogues in many parts are nearly identical.
A Common Man credits A Wednesday! as its original source, acknowledging its Indian roots.
2. Darr (1993) – Fear (1996)
Bollywood Original: Darr (1993) – Starring Shah Rukh Khan
Hollywood Copy: Fear (1996) – Starring Mark Wahlberg
- Fear follows the same obsessive love story as Darr, where a man stalks and terrorizes a woman who rejects him.
- In both films, the stalker gradually turns more violent, harming the woman’s loved ones.
- The famous “K-K-K-Kiran” stuttering dialogue in Darr is replaced by Mark Wahlberg’s creepy whispers in Fear.
While there’s no official remake credit, Fear closely follows Darr’s plot, making it a clear case of inspiration.
3. Aalavandhan (2001) – Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)
Bollywood Original: Aalavandhan (2001) – Starring Kamal Haasan
Hollywood Copy: Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) – Directed by Quentin Tarantino
- Aalavandhan had an animated fight sequence that used hyper-stylized animation and gore, something that wasn’t common in Indian films.
- Kill Bill: Volume 1 copied this concept and used animated sequences in the same violent, hyper-stylized way.
- Quentin Tarantino later admitted in an interview that he was inspired by Aalavandhan.
4. Chhoti Si Baat (1976) – Hitch (2005)
Bollywood Original: Chhoti Si Baat (1976) – Starring Amol Palekar
Hollywood Copy: Hitch (2005) – Starring Will Smith
- Hitch revolves around a dating coach who helps awkward men impress women—exactly like Chhoti Si Baat’s plot.
- The Indian film had Ashok Kumar as a “love guru” who helps the shy hero gain confidence, while Will Smith plays the same role in Hitch.
- Many scenes, dialogues, and comic moments are strikingly similar.
Hitch never credited Chhoti Si Baat, but the storyline is identical.
5. Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005) – Just Go with It (2011)
Bollywood Original: Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005) – Starring Salman Khan
Hollywood Copy: Just Go with It (2011) – Starring Adam Sandler & Jennifer Aniston
- Both movies have the same story—a doctor pretends to be married to get out of a fake relationship and asks his assistant to act as his wife.
- Adam Sandler’s character is identical to Salman Khan’s.
- The plot twists, comic misunderstandings, and even key dialogues are eerily similar.
No official remake credit was given, but the entire premise is copied.
6. Madhumati (1958) – The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975)
Bollywood Original: Madhumati (1958) – Starring Dilip Kumar & Vyjayanthimala
Hollywood Copy: The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975)
- Madhumati is one of Bollywood’s earliest reincarnation thrillers, where a man recalls his past life’s murder mystery.
- The Reincarnation of Peter Proud follows the same concept, with past-life visions, suspense, and revenge as central themes.
The Hollywood film came 17 years after Madhumati, raising strong suspicion of plagiarism.
7. Jab We Met (2007) – Leap Year (2010)
Bollywood Original: Jab We Met (2007) – Starring Shahid Kapoor & Kareena Kapoor
Hollywood Copy: Leap Year (2010) – Starring Amy Adams
- Both movies have a carefree, talkative woman meeting a grumpy man during a journey.
- The plot structure, romantic development, and scenic road-trip settings are highly similar.
Leap Year never credited Jab We Met, but their similarities are undeniable.
8. Rangeela (1995) – Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)
Bollywood Original: Rangeela (1995) – Starring Urmila Matondkar & Aamir Khan
Hollywood Copy: Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)
- Both movies feature a love triangle between an ordinary girl, her best friend, and a famous celebrity.
- The emotional beats and conflicts follow the same Bollywood-style arc.
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! closely mirrors Rangeela’s character arcs.
Conclusion: Who’s Copying Who?
While Hollywood has often accused Bollywood of plagiarism, the truth is that many Hollywood films have borrowed ideas, themes, and entire storylines from Indian cinema. From romantic dramas to psychological thrillers and action films, several Hollywood movies share uncanny similarities with Bollywood originals.
In this article, we break down 8 Hollywood films that were clearly inspired by Bollywood, complete with evidence, side-by-side comparisons, and shocking revelations. Some of these were official remakes, while others were blatant copies without any acknowledgment.
This list proves that inspiration flows both ways in the world of cinema—and sometimes, Hollywood takes a page from Bollywood’s playbook.
