Bollywood films and plagiarism

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The Hindi film industry centered in Mumbai, commonly known as Bollywood, is an extremely prolific industry. However, constrained by rushed production schedules and small budgets, certain Bollywood writers and musicians have been known to resort to plagiarism. They copy ideas, plot lines, tunes or riffs from sources close at hand from other Indian films or far away (Hollywood and other Western movies, Western pop hits). Some films (including music) in Pakistan are also inspired by Bollywood. This was leading to constant criticism towards the film industry.

In past times, this could be done with impunity. Copyright enforcement was lax in India. As for the Western sources, the Bollywood film industry was largely unknown to Westerners, who would not even be aware that their material was being copied. Audiences also may not have been aware of the plagiarism, since many in the Indian audience were unfamiliar with Western films and tunes.

While copyright enforcement in India is still a little hit-and-miss, Bollywood and Hollywood are much more aware of each other now, and Indian audiences are more familiar with foreign movies and music. Flagrant plagiarism may have diminished—however, there is no general agreement that it has.^[1]

[edit] Films alleged to contain plagiarism ^[2]

Bollywood Film	Original Film
The Burning Train (1980)	Shinkansen Daibakuha (1975)
Khoon Bhari Maang (1988)	Return to Eden (1983)
Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991)	It Happened One Night (1934)
Chamatkar (1992)	Blackbeard's Ghost (1968)
Baazigar (1993)	A Kiss Before Dying (1991)
Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994)	The Hard Way (1991)
Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995)	Kramer Vs. Kramer (1979)
Agni Sakshi (1996)	Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)
Deewana Mastana (1997)	What About Bob? (1991)
Judwaa (1997)	The Twin Dragons (1992)
Chachi 420 (1998)	Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Pyar To Hona Hi Tha (1998)	French Kiss (1995)
Sangharsh (1999)	The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (2000)	While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke (2000)	A Walk in the Clouds (1995)
Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2000)	The Wedding Singer (1998)
Ajnabee (2001)	Consenting Adults (1992)
Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta (2001)	Liar Liar (1997)
Humraaz (2002)	A Perfect Murder (1998)
Kaante (2002)	Reservoir Dogs (1992))
Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin (2002)	Analyze This (1999)
Chor Machaaye Shor (2002)	Blue Streak (1999)
Deewangee (2002)	Primal Fear (1996)
Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002)	My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
Raaz (2002)	What Lies Beneath (2000)
Ek Chhoti Si Love Story (2002)	A Short Film About Love (1998)
Footpath (2003)	State of Grace (1990)
Inteha (2003)	Fear (1996)
Jism (2003)	Body Heat (1981)
Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003)	The Rock (1996)
Saaya (2003)	Dragonfly (2002)
Aitraaz (2004)	Disclosure (1994)
Hum Tum(2004)	When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)	Anger Management (2003)
Phir Milenge (2004)	Philadelphia (1993)
Paap (2004)	Witness (1969)
Black (2005)	The Miracle Worker (1962)
Sarkar (2005)	The Godfather (1972)
Ek Ajnabee (2005)	Man on Fire (2004)
Zeher (2005)	Out of Time (2003)
Main Aisa Hi Hoon (2005)	I am Sam (2001)
Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya? (2005)	Cactus Flower (1969)
Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena (2005)	Confidence (2003)
Garam Masala (2005)	Boeing Boeing (1965)
Bunty Aur Babli (2005)	Bonnie & Clyde (1967)
Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets (2005)	The Usual Suspects (1995)
Deewane Huye Pagal (2005)	There's Something About Mary (1998)
Naksha (2006)	The Rundown (2003)
Zinda (2006)	Oldboy (2003)
Phir Hera Pheri (2006)	Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
I See You (2006)	Just Like Heaven (2005)
Tathastu (2006)	John Q (2002)
Malamaal Weekly (2006)	Waking Ned (1998)
Aap Ki Khatir (2006)	The Wedding Date (2003)
Taxi No. 9211 (2006)	Changing Lanes (2002)
The Killer (2006)	Collateral (2004)
Awarapan (2007)	A Bittersweet Life (2005)
Bheja Fry (2007)	Diner de cons (1998)
Naqaab (2007)	Dot the I (2003)
Fool n Final (2007)	Snatch (2000)
Partner (2007)	Hitch (2005)
The Train (2007)	Derailed (2005)
Manorama Six Feet Under (2007)	Chinatown (film) (1974)
Welcome (2007)	Mickey Blue Eyes (1999)
Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (2007)	Green Street (2005)