Lost in Translation: Film Subtitles Gone Wrong and How

With typos and literal translations, filmi subtitles can end up being totally hilarious

I started watching Indian films not through exposure to Satyajit Ray or Mrinal Sen in a university cinema class but because of the website for the 2004 Bride and Prejudice, a film I was eager to watch because I’m interested in adaptations of Jane Austen novels. The director, Gurinder Chadha, had put up a list of Indian film conventions that she was playing with or winking at in her film, and as I read about them I thought “These movies sound amazing! Why have I never seen any?” Searching for information online quickly led me to the forum BollyWHAT, which had lists of recommended films for newbies.

The Paagal Subtitle tumblr grew out of my general love of words and language. My job involves a lot of writing and editing, so I am well aware of the power of the typo.

This tumblr is proof that I’m still not able to understand Hindi well enough to watch films without subtitles, so I am not throwing stones at anyone’s language abilities! But these errors are much more exciting than mine – and they’re accompanied by glamorous stars and backup dancers.

Here are a dozen of my favorite paagal subtitles of the last few years. Some of these I saw in films myself and others were sent to me by friends.

Subtitles for 'chak de phattey' in Rang de Basanti. Most heartwarming scene has been ruined into smithereens. pic.twitter.com/PY8pAVEa8W

— Rehna (@Rehnak) May 4, 2016

1. Alaipayuthey

This is a prime example of the phenomenon of “What in the world was this dialogue actually trying to express?!?” What predilection is it encouraging (or condemning)?

2. Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant

This is a very simple typo that makes all the difference, although I do like the idea of drama-queen mathematicians clutching their hearts in the throes of discussing theorems.

3. Mardaani

Another one-letter typo—but which letter?

4. Chotushkone

This would be funny anyway, but of course the regional stereotype about Bengalis makes it even better.

5. Baji

Anyone who writes for school or work is afraid of making typos like this.

6. Teesri Aankh; Shesh Anka; Andha Atit

“Lair” for “liar” is probably my very favourite fillum typo simply because the villain lairs in some films are so fantastic that they really should be characters themselves, in addition to being the spot where liars congregate.

7. Aurat

I had to stare at this one for a long time before wondering if they meant “macho man”?

8. Ardh Satya

An even more impressive feat than starting with the more pedestrian molehill! I like to think this happened because the subtitle-writer was in a hurry to get to the next dialogue.

9. Jalsa

What you think you hear and what was actually said are not always the same thing.

10. Tanu Weds Manu Returns

Unlike “nonchalk,” I can imagine what a plate farm might be, but I do not know why this film’s characters would be anywhere near one.

11. Holiday

A sign that everyone is truly in the wireless age?

12. Thilagar

This is by far the most popular subtitle I have ever had the good fortune to find; once a friend submitted it to my tumblr, it got passed around Twitter and Whatsapp by the thousands.

(In addition to watching movies and imitating dance routines very poorly, Beth Watkins works in the world cultures museum at a big university in Illinois, has a very fluffy dog, and likes to read and knit, both of which are hard to do while watching subtitled movies. She can be found on Twitter at  twitter.com/bethlovesbolly and her blog www.bethlovesbollywood.com)