Indian cinema often sees successful South Indian movies being remade into Hindi for a pan-India audience. In this Remake Review Series #10, we explore Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020, Telugu), a massive hit starring Allu Arjun, and its Bollywood counterpart, Shehzada (2023, Kartik Aaryan). From storyline adaptation to music and cultural impact, we analyze which version worked best and why.
🎬 Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020 – Telugu Original)
Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo is a family entertainer with action, romance, and comedy, directed by Trivikram Srinivas. The story revolves around Bantu (Allu Arjun), a man who discovers that he was switched at birth and embarks on a journey to claim his rightful place while navigating love, family dynamics, and villains.
Highlights:
- Allu Arjun’s charismatic performance made Bantu iconic.
- Music by Thaman S: Songs like Butta Bomma became global sensations.
- Strong emotional core, blending comedy, action, and drama seamlessly.
- Critical acclaim for screenplay, cinematography, and choreography.
🎬 Shehzada (2023 – Hindi Remake)
Directed by Rohit Dhawan, Shehzada adapts the same story for Bollywood with Kartik Aaryan as Bantu. The film attempts to capture the original’s magic but received mixed reviews.
Highlights:
- Modernized production values, Bollywoodized songs and dance sequences.
- Kriti Sanon plays the female lead, and Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala, and Ronit Roy appear in supporting roles.
- Critics noted weak emotional resonance compared to the original.
- Commercially underperformed relative to expectations.
📊 Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo vs Shehzada Comparison Table
| Feature | Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (Original) | Shehzada (Remake) |
|---|---|---|
| Year of Release | 2020 | 2023 |
| Language | Telugu | Hindi |
| Director | Trivikram Srinivas | Rohit Dhawan |
| Lead Actor | Allu Arjun | Kartik Aaryan |
| Lead Actress | Pooja Hegde | Kriti Sanon |
| Supporting Cast | Tabu, Jayaram, Murali Sharma, Sushanth | Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala, Ronit Roy |
| Production Budget | ₹100 Crore | ₹85 Crore |
| Worldwide Earnings | ₹280+ Crore | ₹47 Crore |
| Industry | Tollywood (Telugu) | Bollywood (Hindi) |
| IMDb Rating | ⭐ 7.3/10 | ⭐ 5.1/10 |
| Google Audience Score | 👍 92% | 👍 61% |
| Awards / Achievements | Multiple Filmfare South Awards, SIIMA Awards, Butta Bomma song became iconic | None significant |
🌍 International Inspirations
Although primarily an Indian remake, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo’s “family entertainer with hidden identity” theme is a familiar global trope:
- The Parent Trap (1998, Hollywood) – Twins separated at birth discover each other and swap places to unite their family.
- It’s a Boy Girl Thing (2006, Hollywood) – Identity swap with comedic and romantic undertones.
These international examples reflect the universal appeal of identity, family, and humor-based storylines, influencing Indian filmmakers to adapt culturally relevant versions.
💡 Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo vs Shehzada Full Story Synopsis
Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020 – Telugu Original)
Bantu (Allu Arjun) has always felt neglected by his father, who constantly criticizes him and compares him unfavorably to others. Unknown to him, at birth, he was switched with another baby from a wealthy family by a jealous man who wanted his own son to inherit riches. Growing up in middle-class struggles, Bantu develops resilience, charm, and wit that later help him in navigating life’s challenges.
The supporting cast, including Amulya (Pooja Hegde), brings in refreshing romance and lighthearted banter. Her chemistry with Bantu is filled with comedic exchanges that keep the tone vibrant amidst heavier family drama. The wealthy family—Bantu’s biological relatives—face corporate rivalries and internal disputes, which become the stage for Bantu to showcase his intelligence and courage.
The major twist comes when Bantu uncovers the truth about his real parentage. Instead of bitterness, he tactfully protects both families while asserting his rightful place. His emotional highlight is not revenge but reconciliation, as he bridges the gap between the rich family and the values he learned in his modest upbringing. Music and dance sequences like Butta Bomma and Samajavaragamana heighten the emotional and entertainment quotient, cementing the film as an all-round blockbuster.
Shehzada (2023 – Hindi Remake)
Kartik Aaryan’s Bantu mirrors the struggles of his Telugu counterpart but with a Bollywood twist. The father-son conflict is played with a comedic overtone, making the emotional neglect slightly less intense. Kriti Sanon as the love interest adds glamour and some comedic relief, though her character lacks the layered presence of Pooja Hegde’s Amulya.
Supporting characters, including Paresh Rawal and Ronit Roy, shape the two sides of Bantu’s life—the middle-class upbringing and the wealthy but morally conflicted biological family. Bollywood adapts the corporate conflict with flashy settings, but the storytelling sometimes feels diluted compared to the sharp punch of the original.
The major twist of the child swap remains, but the delivery leans more towards melodrama and style over substance. Emotional highlights like the reconciliation moments feel rushed, though Kartik Aaryan tries to infuse his charm into them. The songs, while catchy, failed to reach the cultural phenomenon status of the Telugu soundtrack.
Ultimately, Shehzada retains the skeleton of the original story but struggles to carry the same emotional weight, cultural freshness, and universal appeal of Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo.
🏆 Verdict – Original vs Remake
While Shehzada tries to replicate the charm of Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, the original’s energy, music, and Allu Arjun’s charisma remain unmatched. The Hindi remake’s Bollywood tweaks—songs, dialogues, and pacing—diluted the emotional connection.
✅ Recommendation: Watch the original for a full experience. Remake fans may enjoy Shehzada for Kartik Aaryan’s performance and the cinematic scale.
In conclusion, this Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo vs Shehzada Movie Analysis highlights how remakes often struggle to balance originality with audience expectations.
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