THE MALABAR INFLUENCE ON TAMIL SUPERSTARS

It’s a known fact that Kamal Haasan’s Papanasam which is all set to release coming Friday, is an official remake of blockbuster Malayalam film Drishyam (2013) starring Mohan Lal and Meena in the lead roles.

A stat says after Tamil and Telugu, Malayalam films are the most sought after films to be remade into other languages. Moreover, it’s intriguing to see how a film industry that caters to only 3% of the total population of India, make so many National Award winning films.

Not many know that the superhit 1995’s Rajinikanth movie Muthu is a partial remake of Thenmavin Kombath, Mohan Lal’s 1994 blockbuster film. However the script was altered a great deal to suit Rajini’s commercial audience.

Here is a list of popular Tamil film remade from Malayalam.

Meen (1980) - Kadal Meengal (1981)
Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu (1984) - Poove Poochooda Vaa (1985)
Poovinu Puthiya Poonthennal (1986) - Poovizhi Vasalile (1987)
Rajavinte Makan (1986) -  Makkal En Pakkam (1987)
Aavanazhi (1986) -  Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu (1987)
Ente Mamattukkuttiyammakku (1983) -  En Bommukutty Ammavukku (1988)
Gandhinagar 2nd Street (1986) - Annanagar Mudhal Theru (1988)
Ennennum Kannettante - (1986) -  Varusham Padhinaaru (1989)
Ramji Rao Speaking (1989) - Arangetra Velai (1990)
Pavam Pavam Rajakumaran (1990) - Gopura Vasalile (1991)
Vietnam Colony (1992) - Vietnam Colony (1994)
Aniyathipraavu (1997) -  Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997)
Aniyan Bava Chetan Bava (1995) - Periya Idathu Mappillai (1997)
Friends (1999) - Friends (2001)
Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum (1999) - Kasi (2001)
Kunjikoonan (2002)- Perazhagan (2004)
Thenkasipattanam (2000) - Thenkasipattanam (2002)
Manichitrathazhu (1993) - Chandramukhi (2005)
Thommanum Makkalum (2005) - Majaa (2005)
Kireedam (1989) - Kireedam (2007)
Spadikam (1995) - Veerappu (2007)
Katha Parayumpol (2007) - Kuselan (2008)
Bodyguard (2010) - Kavalan (2011)
Meleparambil Aanveedu (1993) - Nayaandi (2013)
Traffic (2011) -  Chennaiyil Oru Naal (2013)
22 Female Kottayam (2012) - Malini 22 Palayamkottai (2014)
How Old Are You (2014) - 36 Vayadhinile (2015)

There are a number of movies waiting to get added to this list like the remake of Thattathin Marayathu and Bangalore Days. It is definitely interesting to observe the inspiration that Malayalam films have on Tamil industry!