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Get set!, Renowned for its powerful storytelling, strong characters, and dynamic action, South cinema has fueled some of Bollywood’s biggest successes. Blockbusters like Drishyam, Ghajini, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa prove that great stories transcend language and culture, keeping South Indian cinema at the core of Bollywood’s creativity. Bollywood films that are remakes of South movies, We've got you a list of some of the most memorable Indian films from the south that found a new life in Bollywood. Bhool Bhulaiyaa (Manichitrathazhu), The 2007 hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa, starring Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan, is a Hindi remake of the 1993 Malayalam classic Manichitrathazhu, inspired by a 19th-century Kerala legend. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film blended psychological horror with comedy and remains a beloved favourite among audiences. Akshay Kumar starrer is streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar. , Rowdy Rathore (Vikramarkudu), Rowdy Rathore, starring Akshay Kumar, is a Hindi remake of S.S. Rajamouli’s 2006 Telugu hit Vikramarkudu. Both films follow a brave cop and his lookalike thief, with the action-packed remake becoming one of Akshay’s biggest successes. You can watch Rowdy Rathore on Netflix, Prime Video. Drishyam (Drishyam), Drishyam (availible Netflix, JioHotstar), starring Ajay Devgn, is a Hindi remake of the 2013 Malayalam film by Jeethu Joseph, featuring Mohanlal. The story follows a man outsmarting the police to protect his family. Its sequel, Drishyam 2 (2022), continues the original Malayalam narrative, retaining the suspense and emotional depth that made the first film a hit. Ghajini (Ghajini), A.R. Murugadoss’s Ghajini (Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar), starring Aamir Khan, is a Hindi remake of his 2005 Tamil film with Suriya. The thriller follows a man with short-term memory loss seeking revenge for his girlfriend’s murder, and the Hindi version became Bollywood’s first film to earn over ₹100 crore domestically. , Simmba (Temper), Rohit Shetty’s Simmba (ZEE5, starring Ranveer Singh, is a Hindi remake of the 2015 Telugu film Temper with Jr NTR. Both follow corrupt cops who transform after a personal tragedy, and Shetty’s signature action-comedy style made Simmba a major hit. Wanted (Pokiri), Salman Khan’s Wanted (Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar) is a Hindi remake of the 2006 Telugu hit Pokiri. The film follows an undercover cop infiltrating a crime syndicate and became a milestone in Salman’s career, cementing his status as Bollywood’s top action star. Nayak: The Real Hero (Mudhalvan), Naayak: The Real Hero (Prime Video/JioHotstar), starring Anil Kapoor, is a Hindi remake of the 1999 Tamil political thriller Mudhalvan, both directed by S. Shankar. The film follows a journalist who becomes Chief Minister for a day to tackle corruption, earning lasting popularity for its message and performances. , Son of Sardaar (Maryada Ramanna), Son of Sardaar (JioHotstar), starring Ajay Devgn and Sonakshi Sinha, is a Hindi remake of S. S. Rajamouli’s 2010 Telugu comedy Maryada Ramanna. Directed by Ashwni Dhir, it added Punjabi flavors, Bollywood-style comedy, and grandeur to give the story a distinct cultural twist.
