Hindi cinema has always shared a close creative relationship with regional Indian film industries. Over the years, Bollywood remake movies have adapted powerful stories from Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati, and even international cinema. While not every remake finds success, a few have gone on to outperform their originals by a huge margin at the Indian box office.
What separates these successful remakes from the rest is a mix of casting strength, wider theatrical reach, music appeal, and emotional familiarity with Hindi-speaking audiences. This list explores ten Bollywood remake movies that earned significantly higher Indian net collections than their original versions, proving that remakes can sometimes rewrite box office history.
1. Kabir Singh – The Most Profitable Bollywood Remake
Released in 2019, Kabir Singh became one of the most talked-about Bollywood remake movies of the decade. Adapted from the Telugu film Arjun Reddy, the Hindi version starred Shahid Kapoor in a raw and emotionally volatile role.
While Arjun Reddy collected around ₹51 crore, Kabir Singh crossed ₹278.24 crore in India’s net collection. The film struck a chord with audiences through its intense romance, emotionally charged soundtrack, and Shahid Kapoor’s committed performance. Its commercial impact placed it firmly at the top of remake success stories.
2. Simmba – A Cop Film That Became a Franchise Pillar
Simmba, released in 2018, was adapted from the Telugu film Temper. Directed by Rohit Shetty, the film reworked the core story into a high-energy action entertainer starring Ranveer Singh.
The Telugu original earned about ₹74.3 crore, while Simmba collected ₹240.22 crore in India. The addition of comedy, music, and crossover elements from Shetty’s cop universe helped the film reach a far wider audience, turning it into one of the biggest Bollywood remake movies ever.
3. Drishyam 2 Hindi – The Suspense That Kept Viewers Guessing
Released in 2022, Drishyam 2 Hindi proved that suspense-driven storytelling can outperform spectacle. Adapted from the Malayalam sequel Drishyam 2, the Hindi version starred Ajay Devgn reprising his role as Vijay Salgaonkar.
The Malayalam sequel had modest India earnings, while the Hindi adaptation earned ₹239.67 crore. Strong writing, restrained performances, and audience familiarity with the first part helped Drishyam 2 Hindi dominate theatres and streaming discussions alike.
4. Kick – Salman Khan’s High-Octane Remake
Kick arrived in 2014 as the Hindi adaptation of the Telugu film Kick. Salman Khan’s star presence transformed the story into a mass entertainer.
The Telugu version collected around ₹25 crore, whereas the Hindi Kick earned ₹231.85 crore in India. Action set pieces, chart-topping songs, and Salman Khan’s screen presence played a major role in the film’s runaway success.
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5. Baaghi 2 – Action Over Story
Baaghi 2 was loosely inspired by the Telugu thriller Kshanam. Unlike a scene-by-scene remake, the Hindi version focused heavily on action and physical intensity.
The original film earned close to ₹11 crore, while Baaghi 2 crossed ₹165.5 crore. Tiger Shroff’s stunts and the film’s aggressive tone helped it become one of the most successful Bollywood remake movies in the action genre.
6. Bodyguard – Romance With Mass Appeal
Released in 2011, Bodyguard adapted the Malayalam film of the same name. The Hindi adaptation featured Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the lead roles.
While the original collected roughly ₹10 crore, the Hindi remake earned ₹148.52 crore. The emotional core of the story, combined with mainstream presentation, helped Bodyguard attract family audiences nationwide.
7. Shaitaan – Turning a Regional Thriller Into a Nationwide Hit
Shaitaan, released in 2024, was adapted from the Gujarati film Vash. Starring Ajay Devgn and R. Madhavan, the film blended psychological tension with supernatural elements.
The Gujarati original earned about ₹6 crore, while Shaitaan collected ₹148.21 crore in India. Strong performances and a tightly paced narrative helped this remake find success beyond regional boundaries.
8. Judwaa 2 – A Modern Reboot That Worked
Judwaa 2 reimagined the 1997 Salman Khan starrer Judwaa. This time, Varun Dhawan stepped into the dual role format with a modern presentation.
The original film earned around ₹22 crore unadjusted, while Judwaa 2 collected ₹138.55 crore. Updated humor, music, and nostalgia contributed to its box office strength.
9. Rowdy Rathore – Mass Cinema at Its Peak
Rowdy Rathore was adapted from the Telugu film Vikramarkudu. Directed by Prabhu Deva, the Hindi version starred Akshay Kumar in a double role.
While Vikramarkudu earned close to ₹25 crore, Rowdy Rathore collected ₹133.25 crore. Its blend of action, comedy, and strong background score appealed strongly to single-screen audiences.
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10. Ready – Comedy That Traveled Well
Ready, released in 2011, was adapted from the Telugu film of the same name. Salman Khan’s comedic timing helped the Hindi version shine.
The Telugu original earned around ₹19 crore, while Ready crossed ₹120.9 crore. The film’s lighthearted tone and family appeal helped it reach a broader audience base.
11. Agneepath Hrithik Roshan – A Remake That Redefined Intensity
Among serious dramatic remakes, Agneepath Hrithik Roshan stands out as a bold reinterpretation of the 1990 classic. Hrithik Roshan’s portrayal of Vijay Deenanath Chauhan brought emotional depth and physical intensity to the role.
The modern version connected strongly with audiences and performed far better than the original in terms of India’s net collection, securing its place among impactful Bollywood remake movies.
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Why Bollywood Remake Movies Continue to Succeed
These films show that remakes succeed when they respect the emotional core of the original while adapting presentation for a wider audience. Star casting, music, marketing, and theatrical reach often multiply the impact of already strong stories.
From intense romances to crime thrillers, Bollywood remake movies continue to shape box office trends and audience preferences.
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