Five Hindi remakes that were done well

Ghulam (1998):

This movie was a favourite for all Amir Khan fans and established Amir's talent as an actor. Remade from "On the waterfront", Amir played the part of Siddhu very well. Jatin Lalit's music ensured that the movie scores topped countdowns for quite some time. Apart from Rani's lacking voice (dubbed by Mona Ghosh Shetty), everything was perfect about the movie. The song "Aati Kya Khandala" from this movie was the first song Amir Khan sang for any movie.

Satte Pe Satta (1982):

Remade from Seven brides for Seven brothers, the Hindi version had right doses of humour, music and action. Thanks to some superb acting from Amitabh Bacchan and Hema Malini, this Raj Sippy directed movie was a massive hit. The movie had some beautiful numbers from Pancham da that justified this musical comedy.

Kaante (2002):

Many would not have expected this remake in the list but the movie was a success at the box office making first week earnings of £10.9m (India) and total earnings of £1.622,000 and £1.268,507 in the United States and Britain respectively. Being a remake of Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino himself ranks Kaante as his favorite among the many inspirations from his film.

Chachi 420 (1997):

Chachi 420 is a 1997 Indian Hindi comedy film, a remake of the Tamil film Avvai Shanmughi and was the first film directed by Kamal Haasan who also starred as the main character. It is thought to be an Indian remake of Mrs. Doubtfire but there are many plot differences between two movies. Actors include Kamal Haasan himself in the lead and also playing a double role, Lakshay Gulia, Tabu, Om Puri, Johnny Walker, Paresh Rawal, Rajendranath Zutshi, Ayesha Jhulka, Nassar and Baby Sana. The executive producer is Sab John a.k.a. John E.

Judwaa (1997):

Judwaa  is a 1997 Indian Hindi action comedy film directed David Dhawan, starring Salman Khan in a double role opposite Karisma Kapoor and Rambha. The film was successful at the box office. The film is a remake of the 1994 Telugu movie Hello Brother, which itself is based on the 1992 Jackie Chan's movie Twin Dragons.

Well if there are some that could be added to the list,please share,comment and let us know

One for the homie and two for the show

The place where I grew up-Shillong was a very quiet town, it still is, I find Shillong quiet because I have now stayed outside Shillong for almost a decade now. How I long to be amongst the pines cannot be measured by any imaginable scale. It would be quantifying love, which again is unimaginable.

What exactly is a homie?

But,we still have the old dada stall, the workers keep on changing, the price list too. The quality of the tea is still the same. However, it could never match the warmth and crispiness in the intellectual discussions we have out there sitting on its raggedy benches.

The stark and contrasting reality is that when I was in Shillong, I had become increasingly obsessed by the city and it’s way of things. I was obsessed and bored to such an extent that when I got an opportunity to study in NIT Silchar, I was immensely happy; happy that I was going to get rid of the boredom and dull life. As always, my happiness was shortlived- I found Silchar as a city to be utterly disgusting and lacking any fibre. With every passing semester, I used to wait for the vacations-a chance to meet my homies and catch up with lost times.

I believe, the psychology, the power of intellect, moral fiber etc of a boy is framed during the days of his growing up. Majority of it comes from his peers, friends, homies. 

                                                                                                                                                                         

Practically you have a lot of friends. Friends from school, who know you academically (those from who know what you did in the toilet apart from the usual stuff, or in who’s water bottle you peed in), friends from your tuitions (who know exactly which stationery shop you buy your refill from, or would ring you up to know what time are the extra classes)

And there are homies –Guys from your neighborhood (not necessarily your age), the guys who know exactly what’s in your mind when you pick up a fight with the guys from nearby neighborhood, the wingman(the wrong description), the guys who would push you to the fight just to enjoy the sight and if possible bet on your loss (the right description).

Anyways, homies are homies, never a love lost, never the bad blood, no vendettas. Homies let you know who ran off with whom and who got drunk the night before and slammed his car the wrong way. Many a movie has been dedicated to the homie-Grease, Merey Apney, Josh and yes not forgetting Angrez (a must watch).

Shillong was always politically disturbed as far and as long as my memory can take me. For normal teenager growing up in Shillong meant that you have your own accomplices (homies), always with you.

Whenever you went out during Pujas (which was equivalent to the prom nights in the west minus the sex, only a little booze and a few drags maybe), or when you had to go to an unfamiliar neighbourhood, maybe Laban or last stop to buy the odd tennis ball (buying tennis balls was a frequent ritual because of the NCG Landscape) and smoke a few cigarettes using that opportunity.

It was kind of absolutely necessary for a few to be escorted by homies during war times (times when the guys from the other neighbourhood had a personal vendetta on you, as you stared/sneezed at him the wrong way).

Homies also had an influence on your dressing style, few homies thought that the only way to be influential was to have the “Dil hai ki manta nahi “cap, or the “Kuch kuch hota hai” friendship band or the “Joota mai hai Light” shoes which was absolute bullcrap, however, the fittings of our trousers always had a similarity, the shoes almost looked similar, including the bands in the t-shirts. Movies were watched as per the recos provided by the homies. Your first brand of cigarettes, your favorite type of alcohol, everything would be entirely dependent on recos from your homie. Everybody’s hooch quantity was dependent on the likes/dislikes of the homies. 

I have so many vivid memeories of the times spent with my homies. I plan to start about each encountered in a planned and strategic manner (now that is again a part of creative writing).

Whenever I go home, and I meet my homies ,I resurrect myself- the dead me, the one who died fighting lonely battles in office space, in an unknown city with lots of unfamiliar faces. Nowadays, every-time I go home, the updates that I receive are not that pleasing, deaths of relatives or of acquaintances.

Five things about Shillong that expatriates miss so much

1. NATURE AND THE LANDSCAPE

People from Shillong who no longer live there, just can't stop reminiscing about the pines, the hills and the weather. Just imagining waking up in the morning to a view like this. 

Once a guy from hills, always a guy from the hills. All across India when people complain about the heat wave, Shillongites enjoy the sweet sound of rain on tin roofs. Add to that the nostalgia of living in an Assam type building.That cosy feeling.

Also,the places in and around Shillong are picturesque enough to drive a soft spot in anyone's heart. Just like this view of the Umiam Lake.

2. FASHION SENSE OF PEOPLE AROUND THEM

People from Shillong have a great sense of fashion. Young and old both never fail to impress the general Indian audience when it comes to looking good. If it's the latest haircut or the latest designer shoe, somebody's already flaunting them in Shillong streets.

3. THE FOOD

The jadoh (made with rice and pork, shot through with turmeric), the putharu (rice cakes), the turumbai (a chutney made from fermented soyabean), the smoked pork -if they didn't make expatriates miss Shillong, then defintely the momos and Chinese food will remind your taste buds to drip.

4. THE MUSICAL CONNECTION

Shillongites love their music. Apart from Shillong Chamber choir  that became popular, we already had Lou Majaou, Afflatus and Soulmate,  just to name a few who were creative enough to inspire a long chain of home grown talent.

It is not untrue that even the taxi drivers of Shillong are the biggest fans of international music bands like Metallica, Megadeath etc. Infact, Shillong witnessed the visits of Firehouse, Scorpions,Megadeth, Hoobastank, Air Supply, MLTR and Smokies and yes it's a venue for Bacardi NH7 Weekender. No wonder they decided to shoot "Rock On 2 " around Shillong.

5. DURGA PUJA AND CHRISTMAS

People in Shillong welcome Autumn with Durga Puja and usher Winter with Christmas. Both the festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm. The entire city lights up and people from all walks of life enjoy both these festivals. Every Shillongite living outside Shillong just gets emotional listening to Birendra Krishna Bhadras's Chandi Paath or to "I'll be home for Christmas" .Sometimes home is where the heart is and occasions like these just make you homesick.

We know there are many more things that make Shillongites home sick. Feel free to share them with us.