Bollywood vs. Hollywood: 11 Strikingly Similar Movie Moments

When we talk about Bollywood, we think of lavish scenes, action, drama, comedy, storytelling, entertainment, and much more. However, over the years, Bollywood has been seen drawing “inspiration” from Hollywood films—sometimes to the extent of direct replication. If you are a fan of both Bollywood and Hollywood, you must have noticed these similarities at least once. If you haven’t, we’re here with a list of some of the most influenced or strikingly similar moments from Bollywood vs. Hollywood.

Bollywood vs. Hollywood: Copied Scenes

1. Dabangg (2010) vs. Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Dabangg, one of Bollywood’s most iconic action films, features the fearless cop Chulbul Pandey, played by Salman Khan. While the film is famous for its dialogues and unique style, the climax fight scene between Chulbul and Cheddi Singh is remarkably similar to Sherlock Holmes. In the 2009 Hollywood film, Robert Downey Jr. uses a white handkerchief as a decoy before attacking his opponent. Similarly, in Dabangg, Salman Khan spits his own blood on Sonu Sood’s character before launching a counter-attack. The slow-motion sequence looks nearly identical to the Hollywood hit.

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2. Road Trip (2000) vs. Dhamaal (2007)

While Dhamaal is one of Bollywood’s most beloved comedies, its jokes and situations are not entirely original. The movie includes a scene where the protagonists attempt to jump a broken bridge in an antique car. This sequence is almost a shot-for-shot copy of a similar scene in Road Trip (2000), where the characters perform the same stunt, even testing the bridge’s strength by tossing an object before it ultimately collapses.

3. Dabangg (2010) vs. The Transporter (2002)

Another instance of Bollywood taking inspiration from Hollywood is Dabangg’s infamous oil fight sequence. The original scene in The Transporter features Jason Statham fighting multiple enemies in a greasy environment to his advantage. Salman Khan’s version, which came out just a week later, follows an eerily similar concept, proving that Bollywood action sometimes serves as a tribute to Hollywood blockbusters.

4. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992) vs. Breaking Away (1979)

The final race in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar is often considered the best race sequence ever shot in Bollywood. However, it bears a strong resemblance to Breaking Away (1979), a coming-of-age sports drama. Both films revolve around class struggles, determination, and an underdog protagonist defying the odds. The climactic race in Breaking Away appears to have been a template for its Bollywood counterpart, with similar shot choices and emotional arcs.

Bollywood vs. Hollywood Copied Funny Scenes

5. Dhoom 3 (2013) vs. The Prestige (2006)

Fans of The Prestige may cringe when watching Dhoom 3, which became a huge Bollywood hit despite borrowing heavily from Christopher Nolan’s 2006 film. In The Prestige, Christian Bale’s character turns out to be twins living as one man to create an illusion. In Dhoom 3, Aamir Khan introduces his secret twin in a nearly identical plot twist, turning the Hollywood gimmick into a Bollywood spectacle.

6. Partner (2007) vs. Hitch (2005)

Partner is one of Bollywood’s most well-known remakes, a near-literal copy of Hitch, which starred Will Smith. The storyline, characters, and even individual moments—such as the hilarious “tackling scene” in the office—are directly plagiarized from the Hollywood film.

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7. Singham (2011) vs. Red (2010)

Though Singham is an original Bollywood story, one of its most thrilling action sequences appears to be heavily borrowed from Red. In Red, Bruce Willis dramatically steps out of a spinning car and fires at his enemies. In Singham, Ajay Devgn reenacts this stunt almost identically, proving that Bollywood action directors often look to Hollywood for inspiration.

Bollywood vs. Hollywood Best Inspired Scenes

8. Awara Paagal Deewana (2002) vs. The Matrix (1999)

One of the most legendary action sequences in cinematic history is the lobby shootout scene in The Matrix. Awara Paagal Deewana nearly recreates this moment frame by frame, with the protagonist walking into a building, guns blazing. However, while The Matrix contextualizes this action in a sci-fi world, the Bollywood version appears out of place in its action-comedy setting.

9. Baaghi 3 (2020) vs. Wonder Woman (2017)

A particular fight sequence in Baaghi 3 bears an uncanny resemblance to a scene in Wonder Woman. In the Hollywood film, Gal Gadot’s character slides on the ground while shooting enemies. In Baaghi 3, Tiger Shroff performs the exact same stunt, making it clear where the Bollywood film drew its inspiration from.

Bollywood vs. Hollywood Copied Action Scenes

10. Kahaani (2012) vs. Taking Lives (2004)

One of the most shocking moments in Kahaani is when Vidya Balan’s character is revealed to have been faking her pregnancy all along. However, this twist had already been used in Taking Lives, where Angelina Jolie’s character pulls the same trick to outsmart her adversary. Though Kahaani remains a well-crafted thriller, its major plot twist is a borrowed one.

11. Barfi (2012) vs. The Adventurer (1917)

Barfi was India’s official submission for the 2013 Oscars, but it featured a scene nearly identical to a moment in Charlie Chaplin’s classic The Adventurer (1917). The film’s humorous robbery sequence mirrors Chaplin’s silent-era masterpiece in its slapstick detail, execution, and timing, making it clear that Bollywood drew direct inspiration from the legendary filmmaker.