Priyadarshan is not just an exceptionally talented director; he is an emotion that Malayalis love to keep close to their hearts. We owe him a lot for raising the bar of Malayalam cinema in the 80s and 90s. He gave us some of the most memorable movies of all time, which our parents, we and our children will always enjoy wholeheartedly. It is no secret that Priyadarshan has taken inspiration from Hollywood movies to weave some of his masterpieces. Here are some of those Hollywood movies which inspired him to make the classics we all love to watch.
Boeing Boeing (1985) – Boeing Boeing (1965)
This Priyadarshan comedy film from the 80s is the remake of a Hollywood film by the same name, which was released in 1965. We all remember Boeing Boeing as one of the best classic comedies in Malayalam cinema. Starring Mohanlal, the plot of Boeing Boeing follows the story of Shyam (Mohanlal), a likeable weasel, who dates three flight attendants at the same time. The film was a huge success in Kerala while the original Hollywood Boeing Boeing was an average success.
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Kakkakuyil (2001) – A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Repeating his hit pair; Mohanlal and Mukesh, in Kakkakuyil, Priyadarshan yet again gave us a movie worth cherishing. Not so surprising, he took inspiration from the Hollywood film A Fish Called Wanda to create Kakkakuyil. A Fish Called Wanda is a heist comedy-drama directed by Charles Crichton. It was a huge critical and commercial success. The characters from A Fish Called Wanda are replicated in Kakkakuyil. The only difference you may notice is the iconic comedy scenes that are exclusive to Priyadarshan movies.
Vandanam (1989) – Stakeout (1987)
Though Vandanam does take inspiration from the Hollywood film Stakeout, it is not entirely based on this film. The basic plot where two cops spy on a woman is the inspiration that Priyadarshan took from Stakeout. The rest of the story in Vandanam is different and nostalgic in every sense.
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Kilukkam (1991) – Roman Holiday (1953)
Yes, even I was surprised to know that Kilukkam is inspired by a foreign film. However, the basic plot only remains the same with the rest of the characters and story being quite different from the Hollywood film Roman Holiday. The gorgeous Audrey Hepburn plays the female lead in Roman Holiday. She plays a crown princess who comes to Rome without anyone knowing and celebrates her newly found freedom. We have bits of it in Kilukkam.
Chandralekha (1997) – While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Starring the sassy Sandra Bullock, While You Were Sleeping was an immense success making it the thirteenth highest-grosser of 1995 in the United States. Chandralekha takes the story from this film and reverses the gender of the characters. An added Priyadarshan touch with extra elements that Malayalis relate to makes it a film worth remembering.
Thalavattam (1986) – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a film based on a novel by the same name. It is one of the finest films ever made in the history of cinema. The wicked nurse Mildred Ratched from the film became such an iconic character that there’s even a Netflix series by her name, Ratched. Dr Ravindran, played by MG Soman takes up the wickedness of Nurse Ratched in Thalavattam. The film is loosely inspired by One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and uses the core elements like the mental asylum torture and the evil practice of lobotomy from the Hollywood film.
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Arabiyum Ottakavum (2011) – Nothing to Lose (1997)
Arabiyum Ottakavum was a wildly hyped movie upon its time of release as it marked the comeback of the most loved duo, Priyadarshan and Mohanlal. Malayalis were missing the magic of this duo for a while and couldn’t wait to celebrate this film. Nothing to Lose stars Tim Robbin (Shawshank Redemption fame) as an advertising executive and Martin Lawrence as a carjacker. The basic premises of both the films remain the same, the male lead misunderstands his partner and doubts her for sleeping with his boss.
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