This film had no action, thrill, or suspense, still became superhit, earned Rs. 460 crore, has a Tamil remake, rated 8.4 on IMDb, the film is…, actors are…

India.com

24-06-2025

This film had no action, thrill, or suspense, still became superhit, earned Rs. 460 crore, has a Tamil remake, rated 8.4 on IMDb, the film is..., actors are...
In the ever-evolving world of cinema, many films come and go. However, some rare gems touch the emotional chord like no other and stay relevant for years to come. One such tale is of a cult classic. What's even more interesting is that this film was a remake of a Bollywood blockbuster that, instead of getting trapped in the usual comparison, soared higher than the expectations.
Yes, we are talking about the Tamil film Nanban, which was the remake of the Bollywood blockbuster 3 idiots. What was even more surprising is that the casting of the Tamil remake had South Indian actor Thalapathy Vijay in the lead, who is popularly known for his action and thriller roles. While the original film had Bollywood's perfectionist, Aamir Khan, playing that role.
The original Bollywood Blockbuster – 3 idiots came in 2008. It featured a star-studded cast of Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, and Kareena Kapoor Khan. Despite not entailing any action, thrill or suspense, the film managed to hit gold at the box office and collected a whopping Rs. 460 crores globally. From the strong storyline of the film to its new age comedy and impeccable performances of the actors, the film hit a nerve with the audience.
Four years later, the same film was remade in a Tamil version, which was titled Nanban was directed by S. Shankar. However, the first choice for the male lead wasn't how the filmmaker initially decided. The male lead role of Aamir Khan from 3 idiots for offered to actor Suriya in the Tamil remake; however, it was Vijay who eventually did the role. Although Vijay is an action hero and is known for his intense roles, he proved his versatility by slipping into this role with utmost ease. The film also featured d Ileana D'Cruz in the lead female role. Made on a humble budget of Rs. 50 crores, this film earned Rs. 150 crores at the box office and was rated 7.8 on IMDb.
Vijay's performance in the film was widely appreciated as he did something out of his niche, proving that he can touch a chord with the audience even without doing any action sequence. This film further established him as a versatile actor. The film also starred Srikanth and Jeeva, with Sathyaraj playing the role of the strict principal, similar to Boman Irani's iconic role in the original. The screenplay was adapted by Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi themselves, which helped retain the soul of the original.