🎭 Remake Review Series #5: Thadam vs RED vs Gumraah – One Crime, Two Faces, Three Films

🎬 Thadam (2019 – Tamil Original)

Thadam opens with a chilling murder on a rainy night—a young man brutally killed in cold blood. The case seems straightforward, until the police arrest two suspects who look exactly the same. This shocking twist sets the tone for a tense cat-and-mouse investigation.

Arun Vijay delivers a powerhouse performance in dual roles as Ezhil, a suave civil engineer with a secretive past, and Kavin, a street-smart gambler with a flair for trouble. As interrogations unfold, buried truths resurface, forcing the audience to question: who is lying, and who is the real killer?

Director Magizh Thirumeni weaves an intricate puzzle filled with misdirection, unexpected reveals, and an emotional gut punch that leaves viewers stunned. With sharp writing, gripping background score, and razor-edged suspense, Thadam became a sleeper hit and set a new benchmark for crime thrillers in Tamil cinema.

🎬 RED (2021 – Telugu Remake)

RED, the official Telugu remake of Thadam, follows the same razor-sharp storyline but adds a glossy, high-voltage commercial touch. Ram Pothineni steps into dual roles—Siddharth, a tech-savvy engineer with a calm exterior, and Aditya, a hot-headed gambler living on the edge.

While the mystery of two identical men accused of the same murder remains the film’s spine, the presentation is flashier: stylish action sequences, mass-dialogue delivery, and peppy songs add glamour to the grit. The film retains the core suspense but tones down the raw tension of the original, leaning into drama and spectacle.

Despite mixed reviews about over-the-top treatment and lack of emotional subtlety, RED worked with Telugu audiences as a masala entertainer, thanks to Ram’s energy and crowd-pulling charisma.

🎬 Gumraah (2023 – Hindi Remake)

Gumraah brings Bollywood’s sleek packaging to this twisted tale of lookalike suspects and one shocking crime. Aditya Roy Kapur shines in his first full-fledged double role as Arjun and Sooraj—two men who share a face but not a fate. The murder investigation spirals into a psychological maze where every alibi cracks and every truth has a darker layer beneath it.

Adding to the intrigue is Mrunal Thakur as a sharp yet conflicted investigating officer, determined to uncover the truth while battling her own moral dilemmas. The film spices up the original’s narrative with emotional flashbacks, scenic visuals, and courtroom drama—but in doing so, it loses some of the raw unpredictability that made Thadam iconic.

Despite Aditya’s impressive effort and polished production, Gumraah faltered at the box office and faced criticism for predictability. However, its stylish storytelling ensures that the central question—can two men with the same face hide one brutal crime?—keeps viewers hooked till the final frame.