2020 did not see many releases due to pandemic. Films that held off their releases during that time released this year even though there were lot less number of releases to speak about. Here let's look at the popular remakes and their box office/OTT impression among public post release.
Red
Ram Pothineni decided to go for a safe bet in remake after Ismart Shankar kind of a blockbuster. He remade Tamil hit film Thadam starring Arun Vijay with Nenu Shilaja director Kishore Tirumala at the helm. Movie did not get rave reviews but Ram performed well in the two roles. It ended up being a break even hit at the box office.
Narappa
Venkatesh decided to go ahead and remake a very popular film like Asuran. Many drew comparisons with Dhanush's performance and his looks as well. Telugu audiences loved Venkatesh but people who saw original criticised Srikanth Addala for not capturing essence of Asuran as well as Ventrimaaran, the original director. Movie released directly on Amazon Prime Video.
Drishyam 2
Venkatesh again went with another remake but this one sequel to his Drishyam film. This time around the team brought in, original Malayalam film director, Jeethu Joseph to make it in Telugu. Jeethu Joseph finished the shoot at a whirlwind speed and movie interestingly released in same OTT platform Amazon Prime Video as the original.
Kapatadari
Sumanth tried his luck again at the box office with Kapatadari. This film is a remake of Kavaludari film from Kannada. Original surprised critics with narrative brilliance even though story did not win much praise. Unfortunately while remaking the film, director Pradeep Krishna Murthy couldn't capture it like the original writer-director.
Timmarasu
Timmarasu is the remake of film Bribal Trilogy Case 1: Finding Vajramuni. Original film in Kannada did not have a star in the lead but still worked well. People praised comedy and tension in the film. Unfortunately that did not translate in the remake. Satyadev received praises for his performance but film did not become hit among audiences.
Maestro
Nithiin seems to hit another rough patch in his career. Except for Bheeshma none of his recent films worked. He tried Andhadhun remake Maestro to change the impression that he is doing similar kind of films. Merlapaka Gandhi kind of young talented and successful director helmed the remake but again people found it not upto the mark in comparison to original.
Ishq
Teja Sajja and Priya Prakash Varrier came together in this romantic Malayalam film remake. Original film in Malayalam worked due to the main leads chemistry and climax. MS Raju tried to change that aspect slightly and main leads did not the same chemistry as well in Telugu version.
Vakeel Saab
Pawan Kalyan gave a comeback into films after Agnyathavaasi disaster three years ago with yet another remake. This one is a remake of Ajith Kumar's Nerkonda Parvaai which is a remake of Hindi film Pink. Movie could balance expectations of Pawan Kalyan fans and story well enough to become a hit even though pandemic was at its peak. Venu Sriram and SS Thaman got lion share of praise behind Pawan Kalyan.
A1 Express
Actor Sandeep Kishan tried his luck again at the box office with A1 Express. But the movie couldn't impress audiences. This is a remake of Tamil movie Natpe Thunai. Original became a hit for composer Hip Hop Tamizha Adi. Dennis Jeevan couldn't bring the raw friendship like original director Parthiban Desingu on screen.
Red
Ram Pothineni decided to go for a safe bet in remake after Ismart Shankar kind of a blockbuster. He remade Tamil hit film Thadam starring Arun Vijay with Nenu Shilaja director Kishore Tirumala at the helm. Movie did not get rave reviews but Ram performed well in the two roles. It ended up being a break even hit at the box office.
Narappa
Venkatesh decided to go ahead and remake a very popular film like Asuran. Many drew comparisons with Dhanush's performance and his looks as well. Telugu audiences loved Venkatesh but people who saw original criticised Srikanth Addala for not capturing essence of Asuran as well as Ventrimaaran, the original director. Movie released directly on Amazon Prime Video.
Drishyam 2
Venkatesh again went with another remake but this one sequel to his Drishyam film. This time around the team brought in, original Malayalam film director, Jeethu Joseph to make it in Telugu. Jeethu Joseph finished the shoot at a whirlwind speed and movie interestingly released in same OTT platform Amazon Prime Video as the original.
Kapatadari
Sumanth tried his luck again at the box office with Kapatadari. This film is a remake of Kavaludari film from Kannada. Original surprised critics with narrative brilliance even though story did not win much praise. Unfortunately while remaking the film, director Pradeep Krishna Murthy couldn't capture it like the original writer-director.
Timmarasu
Timmarasu is the remake of film Bribal Trilogy Case 1: Finding Vajramuni. Original film in Kannada did not have a star in the lead but still worked well. People praised comedy and tension in the film. Unfortunately that did not translate in the remake. Satyadev received praises for his performance but film did not become hit among audiences.
Maestro
Nithiin seems to hit another rough patch in his career. Except for Bheeshma none of his recent films worked. He tried Andhadhun remake Maestro to change the impression that he is doing similar kind of films. Merlapaka Gandhi kind of young talented and successful director helmed the remake but again people found it not upto the mark in comparison to original.
Ishq
Teja Sajja and Priya Prakash Varrier came together in this romantic Malayalam film remake. Original film in Malayalam worked due to the main leads chemistry and climax. MS Raju tried to change that aspect slightly and main leads did not the same chemistry as well in Telugu version.
Vakeel Saab
Pawan Kalyan gave a comeback into films after Agnyathavaasi disaster three years ago with yet another remake. This one is a remake of Ajith Kumar's Nerkonda Parvaai which is a remake of Hindi film Pink. Movie could balance expectations of Pawan Kalyan fans and story well enough to become a hit even though pandemic was at its peak. Venu Sriram and SS Thaman got lion share of praise behind Pawan Kalyan.
A1 Express
Actor Sandeep Kishan tried his luck again at the box office with A1 Express. But the movie couldn't impress audiences. This is a remake of Tamil movie Natpe Thunai. Original became a hit for composer Hip Hop Tamizha Adi. Dennis Jeevan couldn't bring the raw friendship like original director Parthiban Desingu on screen.