Bollywood's often been accused of copying ideas from Hollywood. While in some of them, only the central idea is same, there are others in which the whole plot is fully copied from some Hollywood movie. While some might call it plagiarism, some prefer to call it inspiration. After all, a good story needs to be told and retold. Here, we list some Bollywood films, which found inspiration from Hollywood.
Sarkar (2005) – The Godfather (1972)
Sarkar introduced us to the supremely intimidating Subhash Nagre, played by Amitabh Bachchan, who is a ruthless and influential man embroiled in a controversy and has an internal battle to fight in the family. How he faces his enemies, and how his sons rise to take control of the empire is what the movie is about. The undertones of the film are inspired by The Godfather, the iconic movie which revolutionised Hollywood.
Murder (2004) - Unfaithful (2002)
Murder, an erotic thriller released in 2004 which is a remake of the Hollywood movie Unfaithful. It's a story of a couple whose marriage goes dangerously awry when the wife indulges in an adulterous affair with another man.
3 Deewarein (2003)-The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The movie 3 Deewarein is influenced by The Shawshank Redemption. The movie has some similarities in the relationship angles and the jailbreak sequence, which makes us remember The Shawshank Redemption. The film narrates the story of three prisoners and a documentary filmmaker who, while filming their reformation story in the prison, finds redemption with her own troubled marriage.
Partner (2007) - Hitch (2005)
Partner is a 2007 Bollywood release which is based on the movie Hitch. Its story revolves around the incredibly talented man and a sentimental advisor who teaches men how to date the women of their dreams.God Tussi Great Ho (2008) – Bruce Almighty (2003)
God Tussi Great Ho, starring Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Amitabh Bachchan, is about a man who always thought of god being the one who brought all the misery in his life. Tired of his complaints, god appears before him and transfers his powers into the man. Bruce Almighty, starring Jim Carrey and Morgan Freeman, was the inspiration for this Bollywood movie.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.