Film, Theatre, and Media

The Hindi film 'Ghajini' (2008) starring Aamir Khan is heavily inspired by the Hollywood thriller 'Memento' (2000) directed by Christopher Nolan. Both films feature protagonists with anterograde amnesia using notes and photographs to track their past, though Ghajini adds commercial Bollywood elements. 'Psycho', 'Cinderella Man', and 'Forgiven' are unrelated.

12B is a Tamil film that was remade from the English movie Sliding Doors (1998), which stars Gwyneth Paltrow. The film explores the concept of how a single decision can create two parallel life paths, showing both timelines simultaneously. Gothika is a supernatural thriller, Bus Story is not a known major Hollywood film, and Platoon is a war drama.

Vetri Vizha is a Tamil film that was remade from The Bourne Identity (2002), featuring an amnesiac protagonist who discovers he has lethal skills and a hidden identity while being pursued by enemies. The Departed is remade as Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, X-Men and Hulk are superhero films unrelated to this Tamil thriller.

In 'Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi' (2002), the characters Sanjay and Ria watch 'Maine Pyar Kiya' (1989) and mute the dialogues, mouthing the lines themselves. This scene references the iconic Salman Khan film and was a nostalgic callback for the audience. 'Maine Pyar Kiya' was a romantic musical that had defined an era of Bollywood romance, making it the perfect film for these characters to quote as they discover their own feelings for each other.

In the film 'Akayla' (1991), Inspector Vijay, played by Amitabh Bachchan, realizes that the villain Braganza has a twin brother while watching the film 'Seeta Aur Geeta' (1972). This Hema Malini starrer features twin sisters separated at birth, which inspires Vijay to make the connection about Braganza. The irony is that 'Seeta Aur Geeta' itself was inspired by the earlier twin classic 'Ram Aur Shyam,' but it's this specific film that triggers the realization in 'Akayla.'

In the Priyadarshan film 'Hulchul' (2004), the character Anjali (Kareena Kapoor) and her family are watching the classic film 'Bobby' (1973) when Jai (Akshaye Khanna) enters through the window. 'Bobby,' starring Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia, was a landmark romantic film about young love, making it a thematically appropriate choice for this romantic comedy about warring families. The scene creates a meta-cinematic moment as the characters watch a classic love story while their own romance unfolds.

In the psychological love story 'Dobara', Ria (Raveena Tandon) repeatedly watches 'Ek Duje Ke Liye', which was the Hindi film debut of one of India's greatest actors, Kamal Haasan. This tragic romance about inter-cultural love resonates with Ria's own emotional journey in the film.

Aval Oru Thodarkathai (1974) was an original screenplay by K. Balachander, not based on any novel. Buvana Oru Kelvikkuri, Gayathri, and Mullum Malarum were all based on novels.

Ilamai Oonjaladugirathu (1978) was an original screenplay directed by C.V. Sridhar, not based on any novel. Uthiri Pookkal, Badhrakali, and Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal were based on novels or short stories.

Netrikkan (1981) was an original screenplay directed by I. V. Sasi, not based on any short story. Yarukkaga Azhuthaen, Poo, and Unnaippol Oruvan (original version) were all based on short stories or novels.

Indra (2002) was directed by B. Gopal, not Mani Ratnam. Pagal Nilavu, Idayakkovil, and Anjali are all Mani Ratnam films.

Kamal Haasan received the National Film Award for Best Actor for Moondram Pirai (1982), Nayakan (1987), and Indian (1996). Mahanathi (1999), while he acted in and produced it, did not earn him the Best Actor award.

Nayagan is based on the life of Varadaraja Mudaliar. Kaadhal and Unnal Mudiyum Thambi are also based on real-life incidents. Kalaignan (2002) starring Kamal Haasan is a fictional thriller, not based on true events.

Kamal Haasan, M.G. Ramachandran, and Prakash Raj have all received the Indian National Film Award for Best Actor. Shivaji Ganesan, despite being a legendary actor, did not receive this specific award - he was honored with the Padma Shri and Dadasaheb Phalke Award instead.

R. V. Udhaya Kumar directed both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. Suresh Krishna worked with both actors. Sundar C has worked with both. P. Vasu directed Rajinikanth but did not direct Kamal Haasan in any film.