Lights, camera, adaptation! Novels have long served as a source of inspiration for filmmakers. Hollywood and Bollywood have brought some of our greatest writers’ personalities and storylines to life and there have been a few novels-to-film adaptions that stand out exceptionally well for accurately adapting their original works.
From the classic tales of love and romance to thrilling mysteries and epic adventures, there’s no shortage of incredible stories still waiting to be adapted for the big screen. Some adaptations go above and beyond, bringing their most cherished characters to life in ways that make us laugh with tears of joy.
Now grab some popcorn and get ready to explore the fascinating world of film adaptations of novels!
2 states
“2 States” by Chetan Bhagat is a story about a North Indian boy and a South Indian girl who fall in love and want to get married but they quickly learn, though, that their respective families and cultural backgrounds can become a big obstacle to their relationship.
The book was turned into a Bollywood film of the same name, starring Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor. The movie shows the couple’s struggles they go to convince their families to accept their love and their challenges to overcome cultural differences. The plot is heartwarming and funny, and it resonates with viewers across India.
The White Tiger
“The White Tiger” by Aravind Adiga is a 2008 novel that won the Man Booker Prize in the same year. It is an analysis of social inequality and corruption in contemporary India. The protagonist of the novel, Balram Halwai, through his cunning and wit, rises from his low caste to become a successful entrepreneur.
The 2021 Netflix movie adaption of Balram’s journey is a dark and realistic depiction of his journey, shedding light on the harsh realities of class differences and corruption in India. The movie stars Adarsh Gourav, Rajkummar Rao, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
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Slumdog Millionaire
“Q & A” by Vikas Swarup is an engaging novel that follows the story of a young Indian boy named Ram Mohammed Thomas who wins a billion rupees on a game show.
The novel was turned into the highly regarded film “Slumdog Millionaire.” Eight Oscars were given to the Danny Boyle-directed film, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film brilliantly catches the essence of the book and vividly depicts the Mumbai slums. For everyone who enjoys a good rags-to-riches tale with a heartwarming twist, the adaptation is a must-watch.
Gone Girl
“Gone Girl” is a novel by Gillian Flynn that was adapted into a movie of the same name in 2014, directed by David Fincher. The narrative centers on Nick Dunne, who on their fifth wedding anniversary turns out to be the main suspect in his wife’s disappearance.
Amy Dunne and the film revolve around issues of marriage, betrayal, and vengeance. Both the movie and the novel have won praise from critics for their thrilling plot twists and compelling characters, making it essential viewing for fans of psychological thrillers.
The Fault in Our Stars
“The Fault in Our Stars” is a heart-wrenching novel by John Green that explores the relationship between two teenage cancer patients. The story, which has been made into a movie with the same name, explores themes of love, loss, and mortality.
Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort played Hazel and Gus, respectively, and the movie was a box-office success. This became a beloved classic among readers and moviegoers worldwide thanks to its compelling storytelling and realistic characters.
The Godfather
“The Godfather” by Mario Puzo is a classic novel that was adapted into an iconic movie of the same name. The story revolves around the Corleone family, a powerful mafia clan in New York.
The family makes their way through the dangerous world of criminal organizations, the book examines themes of family devotion, betrayal, and bloodshed. Francis Ford Coppola received the Oscar Award for Best Picture for his film, which was widely acclaimed and garnered numerous other awards as well.
This concludes our list of novels turned into films that kept us on the edge of our seats and brought us to tears. These films demonstrated that sometimes the best stories originate from the pages of a book, and don’t worry about missing out as we’ll be back with more novel-to-film suggestions.
