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Bollywood has delivered several iconic movies over the years, but some of the films that audiences remember as original Hindi stories actually began their journey in South Indian cinema. From Drishyam and Ghajini to Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, several popular Hindi films were adapted from Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and other regional-language movies.
With Ajay Devgn returning as Vijay Salgaonkar in Drishyam: The Conclusion, the third and final Hindi chapter of the franchise, audiences are once again looking back at the film's South Indian roots. The movie is scheduled to release in theatres on October 2, 2026.
Here are 10 Bollywood films you may not have realised were remakes or adaptations of South Indian movies.
1. Drishyam
Ajay Devgn and Tabu's Drishyam is one of the most well-known examples of a successful South-to-Hindi adaptation. The 2015 Hindi crime thriller was based on Jeethu Joseph's 2013 Malayalam film of the same name, which starred Mohanlal and Meena.
The story follows an ordinary family man who goes to extraordinary lengths to protect his family after a crime. The Hindi version became a major success and eventually developed into its own franchise.
Interestingly, the upcoming Drishyam: The Conclusion is taking a different route. Unlike the first two Hindi films, the third Hindi instalment has an original story that differs from Mohanlal's Malayalam Drishyam 3.
2. Hera Pheri
One of Bollywood's most loved comedy franchises also has South Indian roots.
Hera Pheri, starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, was inspired by the 1989 Malayalam comedy Ramji Rao Speaking. The original film was directed by Siddique-Lal and revolved around three financially struggling men whose lives become chaotic after they become involved in a kidnapping.
The Hindi adaptation retained the basic premise while developing its own characters, humour and memorable dialogues.
Over the years, Raju, Shyam and Baburao have become iconic Bollywood characters, making it easy to forget that their story originated in Malayalam cinema.
3. Bhool Bhulaiyaa
Akshay Kumar's Bhool Bhulaiyaa combined comedy, horror and psychological drama, but the story was not originally created for Bollywood.
The 2007 Hindi film was a remake of the 1993 Malayalam classic Manichitrathazhu, which starred Mohanlal, Shobana and Suresh Gopi.
The Hindi version changed some elements and added its own comic tone, but the central story surrounding a mysterious ancestral house and a woman believed to be possessed remained connected to the Malayalam original.
The film later became a franchise of its own, with Kartik Aaryan taking the lead in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
4. Ghajini
Before Aamir Khan's Ghajini became one of Bollywood's biggest blockbusters, the story had already been told in Tamil cinema.
The 2008 Hindi film was adapted from A.R. Murugadoss' 2005 Tamil film Ghajini, which starred Suriya and Asin.
Both versions follow a man suffering from severe short-term memory loss as he attempts to uncover the truth behind a traumatic event.
Aamir Khan's physical transformation and the film's unusual narrative structure became major talking points when the Hindi version arrived in theatres.
The Tamil original itself was a major success, making Ghajini another notable example of a South Indian story reaching a much larger Hindi-speaking audience through adaptation.
5. Wanted
Salman Khan's Wanted helped establish the actor's action-hero image during a crucial phase of his career. But the film was actually a Hindi remake of the Telugu blockbuster Pokiri.
Directed by Prabhu Deva, the 2009 film starred Salman Khan and Ayesha Takia, while the original Telugu version featured Mahesh Babu and Ileana D'Cruz.
The basic action-thriller storyline was retained, but the Hindi version was adapted for its audience and Salman Khan's screen persona.
Today, Wanted is remembered as an important film in Salman Khan's career, although its Telugu origin is sometimes overlooked.
6. Singham
Ajay Devgn has another major South Indian remake in his filmography.
His 2011 action film Singham was based on the 2010 Tamil film of the same name, starring Suriya and directed by Hari.
The Hindi version introduced audiences to Bajirao Singham, a fearless police officer who takes on corruption and powerful criminals.
The character became so popular that Singham eventually developed into part of Rohit Shetty's cop universe.
The original Tamil film remains the starting point for the franchise, but the Hindi version transformed the character into one of Bollywood's most recognisable cop heroes.
7. Rowdy Rathore
Akshay Kumar's Rowdy Rathore was another Hindi adaptation of a Telugu hit.
The 2012 action comedy was based on S.S. Rajamouli's Vikramarkudu, which starred Ravi Teja and Anushka Shetty.
The original revolved around a man who becomes entangled in the life of a police officer who looks exactly like him. The Hindi version retained the central dual-role concept while giving the story its own Bollywood treatment.
Directed by Prabhu Deva, Rowdy Rathore went on to become a popular commercial entertainer.
8. Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein
R. Madhavan and Dia Mirza's Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein is another Hindi film with South Indian origins.
The 2001 romantic film was adapted from the Tamil movie Minnale, which also starred R. Madhavan alongside Reema Sen and Abbas.
Interestingly, Madhavan appeared in both versions, making the film a particularly notable remake in his career.
The Hindi version did not become a major theatrical success immediately, but it gradually developed a strong following and is now remembered as one of the popular romantic films of its era.
9. Saathiya
Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukerji's Saathiya was based on Mani Ratnam's Tamil romantic drama Alaipayuthey.
The 2002 Hindi adaptation was directed by Shaad Ali, who had previously worked with Mani Ratnam, and featured music by A.R. Rahman.
The story follows a young couple whose decision to marry against their families' wishes leads them into the realities and challenges of married life.
The Hindi version became a popular romantic drama and is still remembered for its music, performances and realistic depiction of relationships.
10. Khushi
Kareena Kapoor Khan and Fardeen Khan's Khushi was another Hindi remake of a South Indian film.
The 2003 romantic comedy was based on the Tamil film Kushi, which starred Vijay and Jyothika.
The original film was a popular romantic comedy built around the relationship between two young people whose strong personalities create conflict as they fall in love.
The Hindi adaptation retained the basic premise while changing elements for its Bollywood audience.
Why Bollywood Remade So Many South Indian Films?
South Indian cinema has long produced stories across genres, from family dramas and romantic films to action entertainers and thrillers. When a regional film proved successful, its story could be adapted for Hindi-speaking audiences with a new cast and cultural setting.
The trend is not limited to one period. Bollywood's South Indian adaptations stretch across several decades, with films such as Drishyam, Ghajini, Singham, Wanted and Bhool Bhulaiyaa becoming successful Hindi films in their own right.
From Vijay Salgaonkar's carefully constructed alibi in Drishyam to Baburao's unforgettable comedy in Hera Pheri, several characters and stories that have become part of Bollywood pop culture originated in South Indian cinema. As Drishyam: The Conclusion brings Ajay Devgn's Hindi franchise to its next chapter, these films are a reminder of how stories can travel across languages and evolve for new audiences.
And sometimes, the Bollywood movie you thought was an entirely original story may have already had a successful life in another Indian language.
FAQs
1. Is Drishyam a remake?
Yes. Ajay Devgn's 2015 Hindi Drishyam is based on the 2013 Malayalam film of the same name, starring Mohanlal.
2. Is Hera Pheri a remake of a South Indian movie?
Yes. Hera Pheri is based on the 1989 Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking.
3. Is Bhool Bhulaiyaa a remake?
Yes. Akshay Kumar's Bhool Bhulaiyaa is based on the Malayalam classic Manichitrathazhu.