“My mamma used to say, ‘Life is just like a golgappa. Your tummy might feel full, but your heart always craves more.’”
If that sounds vaguely familiar it’s because Laal Singh Chaddha is an Indian Hindi-language remake of Tom Hanks' 1994 Best Picture winner Forrest Gump, which was itself an adaptation of Winston Groom's novel.
Laal Singh Chaddha is directed by Advait Chandan and produced by Aamir Khan Productions, Kiran Rao, and Viacom18 Studios, in cooperation with Paramount Pictures.
You can watch the trailer for it via the player above or the embed below.
The official plot synopsis for Laal Singh Chaddha acknowledges it’s a retelling of Forrest Gump “through the lens of India’s modern history and culture” in order to tell a “life-affirming story chronicling the extraordinary life of an ordinary man.”
The synopsis reads: “With a childhood marked by a unique bond between Laal and his single mother, tempered with strong values, the story follows Laal’s journey of love, innocence, and destiny as he triumphs over life's many challenges. As he wins the hearts of those he meets along the way, he reminds us that everyone, even the most unlikely of people, has a story.”
Aamir Khan, star of the Academy Award-nominated Lagaan, plays Laal, the film’s version of Forrest, while Kareena Kapoor Khan (3 Idiots) plays Rupa, who is Laal’s Jenny. Mona Singh portrays Laal’s beloved mom, the role Sally Field played in Forrest Gump.
While adapted through an Indian historical prism, Laal Singh Chaddha clearly retains many notable elements from the original Americana-stuffed Forrest Gump (screenwriter Eric Roth even receives screen credit in the trailer).
Laal Singh Chaddha features the titular protagonist’s childhood leg disability, his wartime military service, meeting historical figures, ping pong, that symbolic feather, and, of course, lots and lots of running.
The film was shot in over 100 locations around India, and includes songs such as “Kahaani” and “Main Ki Karan?.”
Laal Singh Chaddha will be theatrically released worldwide on August 11, 2022.