Can Remakes Work When Original Films Are Easily Available On Digital Platforms? A Look At The Recent Telugu Remakes — ‘Vakeel Saab’, ‘Narappa’, ‘Thimmarusu’ And ‘Ishq’
An off-the-cuff look on the latest Telugu movies can’t go previous the remakes. Pawan Kalyan-starrer Vakeel Saab, the remake of the 2016 Hindi movie Pink, was a crowd puller earlier than cinema halls had been closed for the second wave of COVID-19. Theatres in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh reopened final week after three months, to display two remakes — Thimmarusu (from the 2019 Kannada movie Birbal) and Ishq, primarily based on the 2019 Malayalam movie of the identical title. A couple of days earlier, vying for consideration on the digital house was the Venkatesh starrer Narappa, the Telugu model of the 2019 Tamil movie Asuran.
The timing of all these remakes could also be purely incidental nevertheless it has made movie fans ask if there’s a dearth of authentic tales in one of many largest movie industries within the nation.
2021 has seen greater than 75 Telugu movie releases, with a number of of them being authentic tales. Box-office hits akin to Uppena and Jathi Ratnalu weren’t remakes. However, the latest spurt in remakes is protruding like a sore thumb primarily due to the straightforward entry to authentic movies on digital platforms. During the pandemic, home-bound movie fans have ravenously devoured movies throughout languages.
In an excellent situation, remakes assist a narrative attain a more recent viewers in areas which have much less digital penetration or the place the viewers prefers to observe motion pictures within the native language than control subtitles. Had Narappa launched in theatres, it could have stood an opportunity to attraction to these within the interiors of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh; the lead character’s transformation from a meek, ageing farmer to a vengeful hero may need been greeted with whistles and cheers.
In his interview to The Hindu previous to the digital premiere of Narappa, actor Venkatesh had said, “If people can relate to the emotions in Narappa, it wouldn’t matter even if they have seen the original. We have tried to keep it raw and rustic like Asuran.” On staying trustworthy to the unique, he added that having labored on greater than 20 remakes in his profession, he had learnt that it’s best to not spoil the unique materials.
The Narappa staff was upfront about its determination to take the digital route, given the uncertainties of the pandemic. The transfer may need benefitted the staff, however many city and semi-urban viewers who had watched director Vetrimaaran’s Asuran starring Dhanush questioned in regards to the level of remaking a movie to launch it on the identical digital platform (Amazon Prime Video). The indisputable fact that Narappa downplayed the caste difficulty and performed ‘safe’ additionally didn’t augur nicely with this set of viewers who’re conversant in Asuran’s story, which was primarily based on author Poomani’s Tamil novel Vekkai.
Taking the protected route may need been a calculated transfer on a part of the movie staff’s to cater to the field workplace. On a digital platform, the movie drew combined reactions.
Playing protected was an apparent transfer with Vakeel Saab as nicely. Unlike the Hindi or the Tamil (Nerkonda Paarvai) variations, the three girls in Vakeel Saab weren’t getting back from a rock live performance, however an workplace get together. And the opening music is crammed with montage pictures exhibiting the ladies being dutiful daughters, at a temple and so forth, to make them seem extra conservative and acceptable.
These comparative observations prevail amongst those that have watched both Pink or Nerkonda Paarvai. Director Venu Sriram, in his pre-release interview, said, “The multiplex, urban viewers might have watched Pink. But here is an opportunity to take the ‘no means no’ gender sensitivity message to a wide audience in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with a star like Pawan Kalyan. I’ve grown up watching Telugu movies and I’m aware of the need to reinterpret and narrate the story, appropriating it to the regional milieu.”
Last week’s theatrical launch Thimmarusu, helmed by Sharan Koppisetty and starring Satya Dev, largely escaped comparisons as Birbal wasn’t a movie many Telugu viewers had warmed as much as on the digital platform. Ishq, nevertheless, was panned by critics for taking on a problematic narrative and making no amends to it from the unique.
In the latest previous, a remake that gained appreciation was Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya. Adapting the story of the Malayalam movie Maheshinte Prathikaram and setting it within the less-explored milieu of the Araku Valley, director Venkatesh Maha introduced a protagonist who redefined on-screen masculinity.
If you thought you’ve had it with remakes, suppose once more: there are extra lined up, together with these headlined by A-list stars. Under manufacturing are Telugu diversifications of Malayalam movies Dhrishyam 2 and Ayyappanum Koshiyum, and Maestro, the remake of the critically-acclaimed Hindi movie Andhadhun. Maestro is directed by Merlapaka Gandhi and stars Nithiin, Tamannaah Bhatia and Nabha Natesh.
Jeetu Joseph directs Drushyam 2 starring Venkatesh and Meena, whereas Saagar Chandra adapts Ayyappanum Koshiyum with Pawan Kalyan and Rana Daggubati. The latter is scheduled to launch in January 2022, by which period the movie business hopes the pandemic will wane and enterprise will likely be on an upswing.
