Akshay Kumar, often lauded for his versatile acting and choice of films, has had his share of successes and letdowns in the world of remakes. While he has delivered several remarkable hits, there are times when the remake magic just doesn’t work. Today, we take a closer look at five movies where Akshay Kumar failed to recreate the magic of the original, leaving fans and critics extremely disappointed.
Laxmi
Akshay Kumar’s “Laxmi,” a remake of the 2011 Tamil horror-comedy “Kanchana,” was a much-anticipated release. However, Akshay Kumar failed to create the charm that made the original a classic. The film turned out to be a disaster and a massive failure.
Selfiee
Another incident when Akshay Kumar failed to re-create the magic of the original is Selfiee. “Selfiee” attempted to adapt the gripping Malayalam thriller “Driving Licence,” starring Prithviraj Sukumaran. Unfortunately, neither Akshay Kumar nor Emraan Hashmi could impress the audience turning this original classic into a dud. The movie was so bad that it turned out to be one of the lowest-grossers of Akshay Kumar’s career.
Bachchan Panday
Another worst movie of Akshay Kumar’s career is Bachchan Panday. The movie was expected to channel the cult-classic vibes of the Tamil film “Jigarthanda,” but failed miserably at creating a cinch of what it intended to. Akshay Kumar just couldn’t replicate the thrill and quirkiness that made the original an instant hit.
Boss
“Boss,” a remake of “Pokkiri Raja,” a Malayalam movie featuring Prithviraj Sukumaran, was an ambitious endeavor. Despite Kumar’s charismatic screen presence, the film couldn’t compete with the charm of the original and left fans wanting more.
Kambhakkht Ishq
The 2009 romcom “Kambakkht Ishq” attempted to recreate the magic of the 2002 Tamil film “Pammal K. Sambandam,” starring Kamal Hassan. Despite an appearance by Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone and some catchy songs, the movie faced criticism for its crude humor and regressive elements, ultimately falling short of the original’s appeal.
Akshay Kumar’s remakes have often been a mixed bag of successes and near-misses. While he is undoubtedly one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors, not all South Indian remakes have worked their magic on the big screen. The examples mentioned above serve as reminders that recreating the charm and appeal of a beloved South film is no small feat. In the ever-evolving world of cinema, not all adaptations can measure up to the magic of their originals, even with a star like Akshay Kumar leading the way.