Laal Singh Chaddha

“Meri Mamma kehti thi ki zindagi gol gappe jesi hondi hai, Pait bhele hi bhar jave, mann nahi bharta”

This phrase is a classic rip off from Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump,” which stars Aamir Khan. “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get,” is what is actually said in the dialogue. That’s not it, though Laal Singh Chaddha is a scene-by-scene Forrest Gump adaptation, does it add anything unique?

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Laal Singh Chaddha (Aamir Khan), a slow-witted yet unflappable optimist, hops through life and muses to himself, “Should you create your own destiny or float freely like a feather going wherever life takes you?” Is life a game of chances, a game of decisions, or a symphony of both? The movie, which is a Hindi translation of Tom Hanks’ 1994 Oscar-winning performance in Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump,” was directed by Advait Chandan.

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Laal Singh Chaddha movie review

Forrest Gump’s views on life, love, morality, and destiny are put into words by Laal Singh Chaddha. If the first did so best in a quiet, unassuming, unspoken way, this movie somewhat amps up the volume and energy. It chooses to use speech instead of silent sobs, so be prepared to see Aamir Khan with big eyes all the while speaking with a thick Punjabi accent and PK’s animated zeal. A Disney-like fairy tale without the luxury of magic but with a deeply entrenched believe in miracles, he sets the tempo of this picture a little faster, that of a big-ticket Hindi feature film. While localising the events, Laal Singh Chaddha (LSC) stays in Forrest’s universe.

Seeking and discovering solutions

A classic adaptation is tricky ground to cover. Given its rambling, all-encompassing, nonlinear plot and profound yet straightforward outlook on life and its purpose, remaking Forrest Gump (FG) is even more challenging. You observe a simpleton bumbling through life, not seeking the solutions but discovering them as they go. As he boards a train to travel from Pathankot to Chandigarh, he shares his life’s journey with you. He talks about his difficult upbringing. His tenacious mother (Mona Singh), his childhood sweetheart Rupa (Kareena Kapoor Khan), his accidental wealth, the wars he fought, the friends he made facing death, and running through. We can’t say for sure whether the remake was necessary, but it was unquestionably difficult to top the original because you know exactly how the events in it will play out.

Why Laal Singh Chaddha banned in India?

Like its predecessor, the adapted screenplay by Atul Kulkarni combines fact and fiction. Without taking the easy route, he adapts the fictional tale to the sociopolitical and cultural backdrop of India. Furthermore, he does more than just exchange the chocolates from the OG for gol-gappas. Whether it’s the Ram Rath Yatra, Operation Blue Star, the 1975 Emergency, Kargil War, the 1993 Bombay bombings that followed the Hindu-Muslim riots or something else entirely, Atul does a good job at his difficult job. However the movie faced a ban all over India because it disrupted peace.

Final Verdict

Since I am familiar with the plot from the beginning and Forrest Gump is one of my favourite films, I still believe that if someone hasn’t seen Forrest Gump, they will like Laal Singh Chaddha. The actors’ superb acting is the only thing we can concentrate on most.
Rating: 3/5

Watch the trailer here,

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