Laal Singh Chaddha , a recently released Hindi film is adaption of a 1994 Hollywood film Forrest Gump. Gulzar, an Indian poet, lyricist, author, screenwriter, and film director known for his works in Hindi drama and films made a film named Parichay (means Introduction) in 1972 which had taken some theme idea from the famous film “The Sound of Music”. In response to question from a film reporter he said: “I rather made a good adaption than poor original”,
Laal Singh Chaddha is an excellent adaption of Forrest Gump to
an Indian setting and waving the important historical events and cultural
adaptions . There is a huge difference between translation (भाषांतर) and
adaption( रूपांतर). Fortunate enough to bilingual
and well verse with both cultures , after loving film Forrest Gump in USA I liked Laal Singh Chaddha even more. There are many
thoughtful and creative Indian touches
like Laal recounts his life story to passengers on a train
(telling personal stories to train passengers unknown to you is fairly typical in India), In India there is
real challenge with growing nationalism, Populism, right wing Hindutva movement
there are calls an trolls by such group to boycott the film with the #BoycottLaalSinghChaddha
hashtag.
Journey of simple-minded innocent
man is recounted
against the events of India’s political history. From 1971 to present. From
Emergency to Operation Blue Star, Hindu-Sikh riots to Hindu-Muslim riots, Mandal
Commission and Babri Masjid demolition to Kargil War and Jan Lokpal Bill, 26/11
Attacks on Mumbai to Modi Sarkar's government forming aspirations. It also
covers India winning world cup in Cricket and Sushmita Sen's Miss Universe title
in 1994. However they skipped Gujarat 2002
communal riot. I understand the risk including personal safety in even mentioning
Gujarat 2002 communal riot. (Indian
magazines this week celebrating 75th
anniversary of independence do cover Gujarat 2002 ). Few
could blame Aamir Khan for playing safe in the face of renewed personal attacks and weaponised hashtags.
In his younger days, Laal's mother
keeps warning him not to venture out because desh vich malaria phaileya hua hai (the nation is in
the grip of malaria). Later in the film, somebody says mazhab
malaria phailata hai (religion spreads malaria). Laal sails through
the fractious times because he believes in humanity in a manner that more
cynical minds cannot.
Bubba's shrimp love in Forrest Gump
is adapted to the 'chaddi banian'=spewing Bala . The video technology touch
of de-aging, character appearing with
past historical character is also very impressive,.
Except for skipping Gujarat 2002 event the Director Advait Chandan finds a warmth and political honesty which Forrest Gump lags. The right wing
nationalist’s movement to boycott the great film is the most disappointing
of the contemporary India ( nd many
places in the world ). Right Wing Internet users have
been calling a ban on the film after Aamir Khan’s
controversial statement from 2015, about ‘growing intolerance in the country’
has resurfaced
The selection of the cast is great too,. Mona Singh as Laal Singh Chaddha's. mother Kareen Kapoor matching Aamir khan's innocence personified as Laal . bromance with Naga Chaitanya and Manav Vij as the enemy a nd Killer from Pakistan are great too! The scenic beauty of India and new monuments are well covered as well .
Tom Hanks stated that "the film is non-political and thus non-judgmental". The film was discussed at the shows like crossfire at CNN and argued as promotion of the conservative values in backdrop the "Republican revolution" by Newt Gingrich. Such narratives were not accepted. However that is not case in India. IN spite of all and extreme cautions taken by the film producers and team laal Singh Chaddha is politicized beyond in India beyond common sense and basic sense of fairness,
Laal Singh Chaddha is such a beautiful movie. We need more people in the world that have a bit of Laal in them; innocent, forgiving, loving and compassionate. I thank the sanghis and bhakts for pushing me to watch it. It will forever be in my comfort list.
Whatsapp, FB has been loaded with false and biased charges again Aamir Khan and the film, even false accusing that the film is tarnishing Sikh people, Indian army by hiring Moron, the actor has insulted Hindu Deities! The rejection of the film is so repulsive, I find it necessary to write this blog and make my contribution of 2 cents to correct it. Based on some trolls it appears Aamir Singh may have risk of attack by some Hindutva fanatic like Salman Rushdie on the day of the release of this film and hope another setback to the world of art and freedom of expression does not happen.
2 comments:
Review of LSC by Aseem's friend, A very non-political review of the film by a film critic friend:. Thanks for sharing,. Part i of 2.
REVIEW: ‘LAL SINGH CHADDA’ albeit a brave attempt at adapting the 6 OSCAR AWARDS winning American Epic ‘FORREST GUMP’ in an INDIAN Milieu, is disappointing despite stellar performances by MONA SINGH, KAREENA KAPOOR and AAMIR KHAN! Wait and watch on OTT rather than invest your $$ in the Theater, IMHO! Rating [7/10]
"An imitation, my teachers taught me in school, is never as good as the original"! This has stayed with me all my life and whatever I do, I strive for it to be “original and different from the crowd”, which has served me well. By the Grace of the Almighty, I have experienced significant success in my career as a self-made man (no FAT CAT favors for me!), have earned recognition as a thought leader in my industry, and as a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) and 'Renaissance Man' in my personal life in more areas that most people can talk about, for which I am extremely grateful!🙏
Clearly, no one read out this memo to AAMIR KHAN, who despite being one of BOLLYWOOD’s greatest actors after the legendary AMITABH BACHCHAN and a serial risk taker which has served him well, decided to re-make a 6 OSCAR AWARDS winning AMERICAN EPIC, ‘FORREST GUMP’ directed by ROBERT ZEMECKIS and starring living legends TOM HANKS and SALLY FIELD, which in hindsight will likely be seen as an "Epic Faux-Pas!" that he will likely regret!
One of the most remarkable aspects about ‘FORREST GUMP’ (which I watched for the 7th time this afternoon) is the ease with which TOM HANKS plays the eponymous role, to the extent that it does even feel like a feature film but a documentary that instantly connects with you and leaves your cheeks moist when you witness the cruelty he was subjected to, and a smile when you witness him transcending all the barriers he faced with his child-like innocence and a smile, that is truly uplifting!
Au contraire, LAL SINGH CHADDA (LSC) which was adapted and re-written by ATUL KULKARNI for the INDIAN Milieu, leaves a lot to be desired especially for folks like us who adore TOM HANKS and believe that FORREST GUMP is truly his 'MAGNUM-OPUS', as below:
Part II of the review above.
* Unlike FORREST GUMP in which you witness the narrative thru the eyes of a Caucasian mainstream lad, LSC is a narrative of a SIKH lad in love with a CHRISTIAN girl, who are both minorities in INDIA! So Muslim-Hindu riots have to be explained as ‘MALARIA’ epidemics by LSC’s mother, played extremely well by MONA SINGH. AAMIR's almost abnormal look and mannerisms reminiscent of his alien look in PK, severely detract from his gravitas especially in LSC's youth...matter of fact, the kid who plays LSC steals the show from AAMIR!
* Unlike JENNY (ROBIN WRIGHT) who is sexually abused by her step-father, suffers from PTSD and moves from one abusive situation to another, RUPA D’ SOUZA (KAREENA KAPOOR) is extremely ambitious and finds the "path of least resistance" by becoming a "Bollywood Financier" Gangster’s Moll to fulfill her aspirations of becoming an actress! No critic has yet figured out that RUPA’s character is actually based on the stunning PUNJABI model and actress MONICA BEDI who became the dreaded Gangster ABU SALEM’s mistress and had to be arrested, then extradited from PORTUGAL before turning SALEM over to the CBI…you heard it from me first on this post!
* Instead of the SHRIMP FARMING that FORREST GUMP embraces, to fulfill his promise to his dead friend BUBBA, LSC turns to making underwear to fulfill his promise to his buddy BALA, which was puerile and pedestrian, IMHO!
* The aftermath of the KARGIL WAR in which LSC rescues five soldiers including one of the enemy is BS and totally unbelievable, and for me, was the weakest link of the film, and candidly, an insult to the intelligence…telling you more would be a spoiler!
Matter of fact, I suspect that ADVAIT CHANDAN who used to handle catering for AAMIR KHAN's films before becoming his manager/ "Man Friday", before graduating to directing 'SECRET SUPERSTAR' was billed as DIRECTOR for AAMIR KHAN (a perfectionist) to "GHOST DIRECT" the film himself, without being accused of doing so!!!
All that being said, here are three reasons to check out LSC in the Theaters for all Die-Hard AAAMIR KHAN Fans who are truly curious re: his ability to play the "Desi Avatar" of the Iconic 'FORREST GUMP':
* Compelling acting by MONA SINGH as LSC's Momma, KAREENA KAPOOR as LSC's lady love and AAMIR KHAN (though not his best by any stretch of the imagination) - I thought his essay of LSC was a bit of Deja Vu of his role in PK, as did NAGA CHAITANYA whose characterization of BALA (“BUBBA” from FORREST GUMP) appeared to be a re-hash of OMI VAIDYA's 'CHATUR' from ‘THREE IDIOTS’!
* The fantastic soundtrack of the film composed by PRITAM to soulful and heart-warming lyrics by AMITABH BHATTACHARYA, rendered with passion by SONU NIGAM, ARIJIT SINGH. SREE RAMA CHANDRA and SHILPA RAO, is a winner and will make its way to my lounge playlist that I play on my Spanish Patio!
* Brilliant cinematography by SATYAJIT PANDE across 100 locations across INDIA, from KASHMIR and LADAKH to KOLKATA and KANYAKUMARI which is truly breathtaking, and one of the strongest reasons to check it out!
Net net, a valiant attempt by AAMIR KHAN and ATUL KULKARNI to re-create the magic of FORREST GUMP in an INDIAN context, that works well as a stand-alone BOLLYWOOD FAMILY DRAMA, but is seriously disappointing when juxtaposed against the Epic original starring living legends TOM HANKS and SALLY FIELDS! Rating [7/10]
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