From Mann to Ghajini to Sitaare Zameen Par: Aamir Khan knows how to make a remake his own

Aamir Khan's next film Sitaare Zameen Par is an adaptation of the hit Spanish film Campeones (2018). The film, which is directed by R.S. Prasanna, follows a basketball coach who has a checkered past but finds redemption while working with a team of intellectually disabled athletes. Although the film has not yet released, rumours suggest that it is a frame-by-frame remake, sparking a long-standing debate: how often has Aamir Khan appeared in remakes? It's not as infrequent as you might anticipate.

From his most famous works to his lesser-known masterpieces, let's take a close look at Aamir Khan's early films that borrowed ideas from or were based on other films, both international and regional.

Aamir Khan films that are remakes

Jawani Zindabad (1990) - YouTube

Arun Bhatt's social drama is adapted from Avale Nanna Hendthi (first released in Kannada in 1988). The role of Shashi Sharma, a young man with strong moral convictions who is hell-bent on ending the dowry system, was played by Aamir Khan. The film explores themes of moral uprightness and family strife, both integral to the Kannada source material. Although it did not achieve box office success, "Jawani Zindabad" played a crucial role in establishing Aamir as an actor with a strong sense of social responsibility.

Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991)

The 1934 classic It Happened One Night was directed by Frank Capra, and this Mahesh Bhatt-starring romantic comedy pays homage to the film openly. A street-smart journalist, played by Aamir Khan, aids a fleeing heiress, Pooja Bhatt. It was a beloved inclusion in Aamir's early cinema since their bickering-turned-romance replicated the original's chemistry. The film was instrumental in introducing a fresher, more contemporary romance vibe to Bollywood.

Isi Ka Naam Zindagi (1992)

In this Hindi adaptation of the Bengali drama Shajano Bagan and its film adaptation Bancharamer Bagan, Aamir Khan portrayed Chotu, a grandson of a man who fought against tyrannical landlords. Theatrical storytelling, moral parables, and an air of bygone grandeur adorned the film, which had deep regional origins. It was an early example of Aamir's willingness to work with literary adaptations and multi-layered characters, yet it bombed at the box office.

Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993)

The 1958 Hollywood film Houseboat served as a loose inspiration for this Mahesh Bhatt film; however, it is not a literal remake. Rahul, portrayed by Aamir Khan, is a distraught caretaker of three naughty orphans who develops feelings for Juhi Chawla's character. The film skilfully combined romantic elements, family dynamics, and slapstick humour— all while reimagining a Western plot for an Indian audience. There was a national award for best screenplay, and it also gained hearts.

Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995) - Prime Video

The 1979 film Kramer vs. Kramer served as a major influence on this dramatic piece. Aamir Khan portrays a struggling playback singer who, after a difficult divorce from his wife (Manisha Koirala), must raise his son alone. The film's themes of aspiration, parenthood, and changing gender roles were similar to those of the Hollywood version. Its sincere storytelling has garnered it a devoted fan base despite the film's lack of box office success.

Raja Hindustani (1996)

The original 1965 film Jab Jab Phool Khile starring Shashi Kapoor and Nanda, was the inspiration for this monumental hit from the '90s. Karisma Kapoor played the role of an affluent heiress in the film, while Aamir Khan played the role of a humble taxi driver who develops feelings for her. Their class-divided romance reflected the "rich girl-poor boy" cliché from the original. Raja Hindustani was directed by Dharmesh Darshan and built upon the foundation of Jab Jab Phool Khile with the addition of melodrama typical of the 1990s, hit songs, and heart-wrenching intensity.

Ghulam (1998)

The 1954 Marlon Brando masterpiece On the Waterfront served as an inspiration for Ghulam, despite the film's reputation as a brutal action flick. An avuncular ex-boxer and small-time hustler named Siddharth (Aamir Khan) reluctantly becomes a hero in a gangster-tormented community. Ghulam reimagined the central themes of On the Waterfront for the seedier side of Mumbai, complete with the now-iconic Aati Kya Khandala song and echoes of corruption in the dockyard and the need for individual redemption.

Mann (1999)

An Affair to Remember (1957) was adapted into this romance story with a desi twist. Aamir Khan and Manisha Koirala portrayed a shipboard romance that develops into a six-month rendezvous. The film follows their heartbreaking journey back to each other when tragedy prevents them from reuniting. Fans of classic melodramas and visually rich love stories found Mann's work appealing, even though it was not critically acclaimed.

Ghajini (2008)

Ghajini was Aamir's most financially successful film; it was a remake of the 2005 Tamil film with the same name that A.R. Murugadoss also directed. In turn, Christopher Nolan's Memento served as inspiration for the Tamil film. Using his tattoos and Polaroids to piece together evidence, Aamir Khan played the role of a businessman with short-term memory loss who hunts for the killer of his lover. Ghajini introduced a level of psychological complexity not seen in popular Hindi cinema at the time, even though the emotional arc was less complicated and more Bollywood-themed than Memento.

Laal Singh Chaddha (2022) - Netflix

Under the direction of Advait Chandan, Aamir Khan undertook the daring endeavour of adapting Forrest Gump (1994) for the Indian market. Through the eyes of the innocent Laal, the adaptation explored the modern history of India, from the Emergency to the Kargil War. Despite its polarising reception, the film stayed true to the source material by capturing tenderness, nostalgia, and whimsical innocence with Aamir's characteristic honesty.

Sitaare Zameen Par (2025) - releasing in theatres on June 20

The emotionally rich and socially conscious Sitaare Zameen Par is Aamir Khan's return to a tried-and-true formula: he adapts a critically acclaimed foreign film for an Indian audience. In addition to adding Campeones to his extensive list of films that have shaped his fame, the superstar brings back the enchantment of mentoring and change (like in Taare Zameen Par) with this film. Regardless of your opinion of his films, Khan consistently discovers timeless tales and transforms them for an Indian audience through his signature blend of emotional depth, dramatic weight, and intense stakes.