Laal Singh Chaddha, a 2022 Indian Hindi-language comedy-drama film, has finally hit the theatres after multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed by Advait Chandan and produced by Paramount Pictures, Aamir Khan Productions, and Viacom18 Studios, the film is an authorized adaptation of the 1994 American film Forrest Gump. Laal Singh Chaddha stars Aamir Khan in the lead role alongside Kareena Kapoor, Naga Chaitanya, and Mona Singh.
The film’s plot revolves around the life of Laal Singh Chaddha, a boy with an IQ of 75, who is fitted with leg braces to correct a curved spine. He lives in Karoli, Punjab, with his mother, who encourages him to live beyond his disabilities. The story spans several decades, and Laal’s journey takes him through various life experiences, including the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the Kargil War, and his love for Rupa D’Souza.
The adaptation of Forrest Gump underwent a series of changes over a period of two decades. Atul Kulkarni spent the first ten years adapting the script, and another ten years purchasing the remake rights. Aamir Khan bought the rights to the film in early 2018 and announced the film officially on 14 March 2019. The film’s score is by Tanuj Tiku, while its original songs are composed by Pritam, and their lyrics are written by Amitabh Bhattacharya.
Laal Singh Chaddha has been filmed in more than 100 Indian locations. Principal photography began in October 2019 and concluded in September 2021, after multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was initially scheduled for cinema release on multiple dates in 2020–2022 but kept getting delayed due to the production halt caused by the pandemic. It was finally theatrically released worldwide on 11 August 2022, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan and Independence Day.
The film has received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and audiences, with praise for its adaptation to the new setting, faithfulness to the source material, depth, soundtrack, background score, and emotion, but received criticism for Khan’s performance. Against its ₹180 crore budget, the film generated worldwide revenue of less than ₹90 crores in its first week and was thus declared a box office bomb, although it became the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2022 at the international box office, earning more than Gangubai Kathiawadi and The Kashmir Files.
In conclusion, Laal Singh Chaddha is a faithful and emotional adaptation of Forrest Gump. Despite its underwhelming box office performance, the film has managed to connect with audiences with its heartwarming story and brilliant performances. If you’re a fan of Bollywood movies and looking for a film that can make you laugh and cry at the same time, then Laal Singh Chaddha is a must-watch.