Bollywood, the Indian film industry, is known for its larger than life movies, lavish sets, and colorful songs. While many of its films are based on original stories, some of the most successful movies have been adaptations of popular Indian novels. These movies not only bring the books to life on the big screen, but also offer viewers a chance to explore the rich cultural heritage of India. In this article, we will delve into some of the most popular Bollywood movies inspired by Indian authors.
“2 States” : Chetan Bhagat written novel of the same name
“2 States” is a romantic comedy-drama film. It’s directed by Abhishek Varman. The story of this movie is taken from the novel by Chetan Bhagat. The novel has the same name. The movie stars Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in lead roles, and revolves around a Punjabi boy who falls in love with a Tamilian girl. The film explores the challenges faced by the couple due to their cultural differences and their struggle to convince their respective families to accept their relationship.
The novel was a best-seller in India and the movie was a box office hit, grossing over 1.75 billion INR worldwide. The movie received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike for its light-hearted yet meaningful portrayal of intercultural relationships in modern India.
“3 Idiots” : Chetan Bhagat’s novel “Five Point Someone”
“3 Idiots” is a very different kind of coming-of-age comedy-drama film. It is directed by Rajkumar Hirani and the movie is based on the novel “Five Point Someone” by Chetan Bhagat. The movie stars Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor, and Boman Irani in lead roles, and tells the story of three friends studying engineering at an Indian institute of technology.
The movie was a huge commercial success, grossing over 4.5 billion INR worldwide, and received critical acclaim for its humorous yet thought-provoking take on the Indian education system. The movie also sparked a nationwide debate on the need for a more practical and creative education system in India.
“Guide” : R.K. Narayan written novel
“Guide” is a drama film directed by Vijay Anand and based on the novel “The Guide” by R.K. Narayan. The movie stars Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman in lead roles, and tells the story of a tourist guide who becomes a spiritual guru and transforms the life of a dancer.
The movie achieved many critical and commercial successes. It also won many awards including the National Film Award for Best Film in Hindi. The film is considered a classic in Indian cinema and is known for its memorable songs and powerful performances.
“Pinjar” : a novel by Amrita Pritam
“Pinjar” is a period drama film directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi and based on the novel of the same name by Amrita Pritam. The movie stars Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpayee, and Sanjay Suri in lead roles, and tells the story of a young girl who is abducted during the partition of India in 1947 and her struggle to find her identity and home.
The movie won many critical acclamations and several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. The film is known for its powerful performances and its poignant portrayal of the human cost of the partition of India.
“Parineeta” : Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay written novel of the same name
“Parineeta” is a romantic drama film directed by Pradeep Sarkar and based on the novel of the same name by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The movie stars Vidya Balan, Saif Ali Khan, and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles, and tells the story of a young girl named Lalita who falls in love with her childhood friend Shekhar, but faces obstacles due to class differences and interference from a manipulative neighbor.
The movie was a critical and commercial success and received several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer. The film is known for its beautiful music and cinematography, as well as its powerful performances.
“Devdas” : Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay written novel of the same name
“Devdas” is a classic romantic drama film. It’s directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the movie is based on the novel of the same name by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The movie stars Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit in lead roles, and tells the story of a wealthy young man named Devdas who is unable to marry his childhood sweetheart Paro due to family pressure, and turns to alcohol to cope with his pain.
The movie was a critical and commercial success and received several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. The film is known for its lavish sets and costumes, as well as its powerful performances by the lead actors.
“Haider” based on the play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare and the novel “Curfewed Night” by Basharat Peer
“Haider” is a crime drama film directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and based on the play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare and the novel “Curfewed Night” by Basharat Peer. The movie stars Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, and Kay Kay Menon in lead roles, and tells the story of a young man named Haider who returns to his hometown of Kashmir to search for his missing father, and becomes embroiled in the violence and politics of the region.
The movie was critically acclaimed and won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Screenplay. The film is known for its powerful performances, as well as its sensitive portrayal of the human cost of conflict and violence in Kashmir.
Conclusion
Bollywood has a rich tradition of adapting Indian literature into memorable and meaningful movies. From the romantic comedies of Chetan Bhagat to the powerful dramas of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay and Amrita Pritam, these movies not only entertain audiences but also offer insights into the cultural heritage and social issues of India. Whether you are a fan of Bollywood or Indian literature, these movies are sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
Moreover, the trend of adapting Indian literature into movies is not a new one. Bollywood filmmakers have been doing this for decades. The trend started with the golden era of Indian cinema in the 1950s and 60s when filmmakers like Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt, and Satyajit Ray adapted literary classics into movies. However, the trend has become more popular in recent years, with several successful adaptations being made.
The movies discussed above are just a few examples of the many Bollywood movies inspired by Indian authors. There are many other movies that have been adapted from Indian literature that are worth watching, such as “Aandhi” (based on “Amitabh” by Kamleshwar), “Umrao Jaan” (based on “Umrao Jaan Ada” by Mirza Hadi Ruswa), and “Pinjar” (based on the novel by Amrita Pritam).
In conclusion, the trend of adapting Indian literature into movies has been a significant part of Indian cinema for a long time, and it is still going strong. These adaptations not only showcase the rich cultural heritage of India but also offer a glimpse into the social issues that plague the country. The movies discussed in this article are a testament to the power of literature and cinema to captivate and inspire audiences. Whether you are a fan of Indian literature or Bollywood movies, these adaptations are sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
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