5 Top Chinese Epic Movies That Can Be Great Indian Cinema

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – Dahaadta Sher Chupa Azgar

‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ - The Ang Lee directed sensation of 2000 that went on to win several awards including Oscars and Golden Globe is a master piece. Starring Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, and Chang Chen, ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ is based on the Chinese novel of the same name by Wang Dulu.

The plot is set in the 19th-century Imperial China that follows the story of two master warriors, Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-fat) and Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), who are faced with their greatest challenge when the treasured Green Destiny sword is stolen by the mysterious thief Jen Yu (Zhang).

Dahaadta Sher Chupa Azgar

‘Dahaadta Sher Chupa Azgar’ – the title of the Hindi/Indian remake of ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ imagine Akshay Kumar in the role played by Chow Yun-fat in the original while Priyanka Chopra in the role played by Michelle Yeoh in the original. Alia Bhatt donning the role of the mysterious thief played by Zhang Ziyi in the original.

‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ was set in the 19th-century Imperial China and suppose if its Hindi/Indian version is set during the 3rd century BCE exploring the history and culture of Kalaripayattu aka Kalari – the great Indian martial art combat technique.

In able hands imagine how this will appear on screen.

Hero

‘Hero’ – the highest Chinese grosser of its times, ‘Hero’ the 2002 wuxia martial arts film directed by Zhang Yimou – one of the leading filmmakers of China who bagged the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in his directorial debut with ‘Red Sorghum’ (1987). ‘Hero’ starring Jet Li along with Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Donnie Yen and Chen Daoming is a period action epic set during the ancient China - 227–221 BC.

‘Hero’ is hailed for its action and breath-taking visuals; cinematographer Christopher Doyle won the Oscar for best cinematography while the movie won several other awards.

‘Hero’ – is the first Chinese-language movie to top the American box office, where it stayed for two consecutive weeks.

Hero

‘Hero’ – The Indian/Hindi remake will have the same title and to make things more interesting just imagine Vidyut Jammwal in the of Jet Li and Tiger Shroff as the antagonist which was played by Tony Leung in the original. Imagine Kangana Ranaut as the skilled female assassin played by Maggie Cheung in the original. And hold your breath – imagine Sunny Deol in the role of the King (played by Chen Daoming) in the original.

The Hindi/Indian version will be set during the period of 227–221 BC in India – the time when the Mauryan Empire was on decline, Emperor Ashoka has died – the time when smaller kingdoms and regional powers started gaining control.

Don’t you smell a big screen action packed extravaganza.

House of Flying Daggers - Ishq Pyaar Aur Vaar

‘House of Flying Daggers’ – it’s master director Zhang Yimou again in this breathtaking action spectacle starring Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau, and Zhang Ziyi, set during the AD 859.

Ishq Pyaar Aur Vaar

‘Ishq Pyaar Aur Vaar’ – The title for the Indian/Hindi remake of ‘House of Flying Daggers’. Here we have imagined a terrific casting coup which brings Ranbir and Ranveer together! Imagine Ranbir Kapoor in the role of Captain Jin – played by Takeshi Kaneshiro in the original. Ranveer Singh to play Captain Leo played by Andy Lau in the original. The casting coup that sees Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh coming together on screen for the first time, will see Triptii Dimri playing the irresistible Mei played by Zhang Ziyi in the original.

The Hindi/Indian version will be set in 859 AD India

Which will highlight the conflict between the Pallava and Pandya dynasties.

Now that what you called a star packed grand extravaganza

Farewell My Concubine - Aakhri Salaam Meri Jaan

‘Farewell My Concubine’ – the winner of the Palme d'Or, FIPRESCI, BAFTA and Golden Globe, this 1993 Chinese-Hong Kong epic historical drama film directed by Chen Kaige, starring Leslie Cheung, Gong Li and Zhang Fengyi set in in politically tumultuous 20th-century China, from the early days of the Republic of China to the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution. Based on the novel by Lilian Lee, ‘Farewell My Concubine’ is hailed as the most remarkable achievement in storytelling.

Revolving around troubled relationships between two lifelong friends, the Peking opera actors Cheng Dieyi (Cheung) and Duan Xiaolou (Zhang), and Xiaolou's wife Juxian (Gong).

Aakhri Salaam Meri Jaan

‘Aakhri Salaam Meri Jaan’ – the title for the Hindi/Indian version. The original was a about troubled relationships between two opera actors and the wife of one of the actors. Imagine the Indian version having Vijay Varma and Pratik Gandhi as theatre actors and Huma Qureshi as Paratik Gandhi’s wife. ‘Aakhri Salam Meri Jaan’ will begin from 1942 coinciding with the Quit India Movement and end with the 1975 Emergency.

The intense moving musical drama will draw its fine, blurred lines between stage and real, good, bad and the grey in between that will coincide with the political turmoil and important events in India from 1942 to 1975.

Now That Is What You Call – C  I   N   E   M  A

Red Cliff - Maha Samrat

‘Red Cliff’ (2008–2009) – the spectacular epic war saga  by John Woo starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai, along with Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Fengyi, Chang Chen, Zhao Wei, Hu Jun, and Lin Chi-ling.

Red Cliff is based on the Battle of Red Cliffs (208–209 AD) and the events that followed during the end of the Han dynasty and immediately prior to the Three Kingdoms period in Imperial China.

Maha Samrat

‘Maha Samrat’ – The title for the Hindi/Indian version of ‘Red Cliff’, imagine Ajay Devgn in lead in the role played by Tony Leung Chiu-wai in the original. Set during the era when the Maurya Empire was on decline and Gupta Empire was on rise. ‘Maha Samrat’ the epic war saga will also see Prabhas in the role played by Takeshi Kaneshiro in the original. And the magnificent Mr. Bachchan in the role of played by Zhang Fengyi in the original.

On the ladies front, imagine Kareena Kapoor in the role of  Zhao Wei

And Rashmika Mandanna in a double role of twin sisters.

Yeh Hui Na Baat

Isko Bolte Hai – E N T E R T A I N M E N T