Adapting a beloved book or a classic play into a film or a television series is no easy feat. It’s a delicate balancing act of maintaining the essence of the original while translating it effectively for the screen. This process involves crucial decisions like which plot points to keep, which to omit, how to present the characters, and many more. It is a testament to the complexity of this endeavor that even some of the most talented and acclaimed filmmakers sometimes fall short in this respect.
In this article, we will be taking a look at ten such instances of Indian movie/TV adaptations that, despite the potential offered by their source material, were unable to live up to the mark. Some of these were box-office hits and others, critically acclaimed, but in the eyes of the most ardent fans of the originals, they fell short in various ways.
Chandrakanta [1994]:
Imagine you have something that has the capability to supersede both JRR Tolkien and the epic adaptation of his classic, “The Lord of the Rings”. Yet, you execute it so horribly that even a channel as stoic as Doordarshan is compelled to take matters into their own hands, and shut your shop.
That was what Nirja Guleri achieved, with her adaptation of “Chandrakanta”. Fantasy, thriller, romance, even political commentary, this novel had it all. However, the TV serial was a literal embarrassment, even for anyone who had no idea about the novel at all.
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Kahin to Hoga [2004]:
Long before Amish Tripathi, and Om Raut, you could trust Ekta Kapoor with the job of ruining classics. Known as “Kahiin to Hoga,” the Indian TV adaptation of “Sense and Sensibilites” tried to blend the Jane Austen classic with modern Indian sensibilities. Despite a promising start, the show gradually lost its essence due to excessive melodrama, predictable plotlines, and characters deviating from their Austenian roots.
Raavan [2006]:
This adaptation of the life of the Lankan demon king Raavan from the Ramayana failed to strike a chord with audiences. Critics pointed out that the series didn’t delve deep into the character’s complexity and presented an overly simplistic and one-dimensional portrayal.
Kahaani Hamaaray Mahabharat Ki [2008]:
If Om Raut’s Adipurush is a nightmare for anyone who has somewhat of a semblance with the age old Ramayan, wait till you watch Ekta Kapoor’s version of “Mahabharat”. This version of the Indian epic Mahabharat failed to match the critical acclaim of B.R. Chopra’s 1988 version. Despite a high budget and grandeur, the show was criticized for its inconsistencies in characterization, overuse of special effects, and frequent deviations from the original text, which led to the dilution of its philosophical core.
3 Idiots [2009]:
Though a box office hit and generally loved by the audience, ‘3 Idiots,’ loosely inspired by Chetan Bhagat’s ‘Five Point Someone,’ fell short in capturing the heart and soul of the original work. The nuances of the story, especially the sharp critique of the Indian education system, were somewhat diluted to make way for over-the-top humor and dramatic elements. The film became a popular entertainment package but did not fully embody the intellectual depth of the book.
Aisha [2010]:
An Indian adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’, ‘Aisha’ is a movie starring Sonam Kapoor in the titular role. Despite Kapoor’s so-called charm, the film failed to emulate the nuance and subtlety of Austen’s original work. The script was a loose adaptation, ignoring many of the novel’s essential elements, and the chemistry between the characters felt forced, resulting in a film that was more Bollywood fantasy than Austen reality.
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Haider [2014]:
Although Vishal Bhardwaj’s ‘Haider’ won acclaim for its daring and contemporary treatment of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’, purists believe it didn’t entirely live up to the original’s existential and philosophical depth. The film’s adaptation was criticized for focusing too heavily on the political and societal aspects of the narrative, thereby diluting the tragic personal journey of the protagonist.
Fitoor [2016]:
A modern-day take on Charles Dickens’s ‘Great Expectations,’ ‘Fitoor’ failed to resonate with the audience despite having a promising cast. The film was visually stunning, yes, but it fell short in terms of plot development and character depth. The complicated relationships and intricate plot that made the book a classic, were glossed over in the film, leaving viewers unsatisfied.
The Zoya Factor [2019]:
An adaptation of the novel of the same name by Anuja Chauhan, the movie had a unique plot, that could have turned into a quirky classic. However, it failed to match up to the expectations, thanks to hammy plot lines, cheesy dialogues, and the one and only Sonam Kapoor. Had it not been for a futile effort from Dulquer Salmaan, the movie would have easily joined the likes of “Ram Gopal Varma ki AAG”.
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Adipurush [2023]
For this movie, the less said the better. That’s it, that’s the description.
While these adaptations might have been well-intentioned, they mostly failed to live up to the nuances, depth, and complexity of their original works. This only underscores the immense challenge inherent in translating a classic from page to screen, particularly when attempting to transplant narratives from one cultural context to another.
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