Film-making has come a long way since the days of black and white movies. Indian films have go hi-tech, adopting the latest techniques and using state-of-the-art equipment. The Tamil film industry is also not far behind, adapting to the changing world. Yet, a close look at films being made in Kollywood in the recent past, would show a great influence of western movies in them.

'New and innovative themes are tried out by Western film-makers, while a majority of our directors still work on conservative story lines. Only a few try out different themes, apparently influenced by westerners', says a director on condition of anonymity. Further, he says, 'in the name of inspiration, they also reproduce the English version in Tamil. But the audience in general, lack exposure to international cinema here. Hence, a lot of good scripts from foreign films, are apparently being done in Tamil now. However, credit should be given to our 'creators', who make the necessary changes to suit the audience here and take efforts to ensure its success at the box-office.'

Here is a close look at few Hollywood films, which served as an inspiration for films in Tamil.

An American film What about Bob? released in 1991, starring Richard Dreyfuss and Bill Murray, directed by Frank Oz, is about a ridiculously neurotic patient, who follows his psychiatrist on vacation, turning his life upside down. The psychiatrist's family finds the patient entertaining and endearing. This was apparently made as Thenali starring Kamal Haasan and was directed by K S Ravikumar.

Serendipity starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale,released in the year 2001, was about the hero and heroine exchanging their telephone numbers on a five-dollar note and a book. The dollar and the notebook go missing. Seven years go by and marriage looms for both of them, then destiny intervenes and brings them together again - this is the crux of the story. This movie inspired three films in Kollywood.They include JJ directed by Charan, U18 E18 directed by Jothy Krishna and produced by A M Rathnam and Srikanth-starrer Unnai Partha Naal Muthal.

Tom Hanks-starrer Big (1988), a comedy was about the executive of a toy company whose big success hides an ever bigger secret: He's really a 13-year-old kid who magically becomes an adult thanks to a carnival wishing machine. Actor-director S J Suryah's latest release New is based on the same story, but dealt in a different fashion by him.

Nine To Five (1980), an American film was about three overworked and underpaid women secretaries who get a chance for revenge against their chauvinistic boss.Magalir Mattum, produced by Raj Kamal International, was about three women (Revathy, Urvashi and Rohini) who take revenge on their chauvinistic boss.

Shop Around The Corner, an American film in the 1960s was about pen pals, who had never seen each other before falling in love. Agathiyan's Kadhal Kottai, which smashed box-office records was all about love affair between two persons, who do not see each other.

Director Mani Ratnam's latest venture Ayudha Ezhuthu was loosely based on a film by director Amores Porres and an American movie City of God.

Shekar, a movie buff says, 'we hardly get decent exposure to international films. Only a few make it here. Hence, such vast themes being made in Tamil now should be welcomed. They make the right alterations to suit the audience's taste here'.