There’s a noticeable double standard in how Bollywood remakes are discussed, especially when comparing films involving Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar.
Take the upcoming Sitaare Zameen Par for instance—while it’s based on a previously made film, mainstream coverage has rarely called it a “remake.”
That kind of leeway is rarely extended to Akshay Kumar.
Whenever Akshay is part of a remake, the label is attached immediately—sometimes even before the first poster or trailer is released.
Trade experts, and film journalists like Himesh Mankad or Taran Adarsh often begin discussions with “A REMAKE OF…”
This early tagging can overshadow the film’s own identity and build unnecessary negativity or fatigue among audiences.
On the other hand, when Aamir Khan does a similar project, the conversation tends to focus on themes, social messages, or his perfectionist image.
The original film’s name is either sidelined or softly mentioned, and media narratives center more on expectations and craftsmanship than comparison.
This selective approach influences how audiences view these films.
It also impacts the hard work of directors, writers, and composers trying to create something new from existing material.
The focus ends up being more about who’s in it rather than how well it’s done.
If the industry is serious about fairness, it needs to call out these inconsistencies.
Remakes should be evaluated based on how well they’re adapted—not on which star headlines them or how the media frames them.
Only then will Bollywood give all storytellers a fair shot.
