(Image: Indian Express)
Hera Pheri is a 2000 Indian comedy film directed by Priyadarshan and produced by A.G. Nadiadwala. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal in the lead roles. It is considered one of the most successful and iconic comedies in the history of Indian cinema. However, there has been a debate among movie enthusiasts regarding whether Hera Pheri is a remake of a foreign film or not. In this article, we will explore the topic of the Hera Pheri film remake in detail.
Hera Pheri is a remake of the Malayalam film "Ramji Rao Speaking"
Hera Pheri is a remake of the 1989 Malayalam film "Ramji Rao Speaking," directed by Siddique-Lal. The film had an ensemble cast consisting of Sai Kumar, Mukesh, Innocent, Rekha, and Sukumari. The story of the film revolves around three unemployed friends who try to earn money through various means, but all their efforts go in vain. One day, they receive a phone call from a kidnapper asking for a ransom in exchange for a rich businessman's son. The trio decides to take advantage of the situation and get the money themselves, leading to a series of hilarious situations.
Priyadarshan, the director of Hera Pheri, was impressed by the storyline of Ramji Rao Speaking and decided to make a Hindi remake of the film. The script was modified to suit the Hindi-speaking audience, and the characters were given a North Indian touch. The original film's premise was kept intact, and the central plot of three friends trying to earn money remained the same.
The controversy regarding the film's remake
Despite the fact that Hera Pheri is a remake of Ramji Rao Speaking, some movie enthusiasts argue that the film is not a remake. They believe that Hera Pheri is a standalone film that has been inspired by the Malayalam film's premise but has been made in a different style and format.
The argument put forward by this group of movie enthusiasts is that Hera Pheri has a different setting, cast, and treatment from the original film. The characters in Hera Pheri are given a unique identity and are not mere copies of the characters in Ramji Rao Speaking. The Hindi version also features a different screenplay, dialogues, and songs, which further distinguishes it from the Malayalam film.
However, despite these differences, it cannot be denied that Hera Pheri follows the same basic storyline as Ramji Rao Speaking. The central plot of three friends trying to make money and getting involved in a kidnapping case is the same in both films. Moreover, the characters in Hera Pheri are based on the characters in the original film, although they are given a different identity and background.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that Hera Pheri is a remake of the Malayalam film "Ramji Rao Speaking." Although the Hindi version features a different cast, setting, and treatment, the central plot and the characters are the same. Priyadarshan has admitted in interviews that he was inspired by Ramji Rao Speaking and wanted to make a Hindi version of the film. Therefore, it is safe to say that Hera Pheri is a remake of the Malayalam film, albeit with a few changes.
