We love getting to see familiar stories through new eyes. Seems like everyone does, which helps explain how remakes of classic movies can be popular. That's especially true when something familiar is used as a framework to explore a different time or place — we'll never get tired of seeing Shakespeare plays set in different times, for example.
Now, in one of the rare examples of an Indian movie being released by a major US studio, we're going to see a very recognizable story told in a different way. Here's everything you might want to know about LAAL SINGH CHADDHA.
Is Laal Singh Chadda a True Story?
Well, no. Not at all. Watch the trailer just above and you'll understand why.
Laal Singh Chaddha: A Remake of Forrest Gump
It's right in the headline above, but just in case you missed it: This is a FORREST GUMP remake. American movies (and successful movies from other countries) are often remade in India. Really big movies are remade multiple times in different regions of India, as the densely-populated country supports several thriving movie industries.
In this case, LAAL SINGH CHADDHA is a high-profile Hindi-language remake of FORREST GUMP. It has been in the works for a long time. Originally it was planned for a December 2020 release, but Covid got in the way.
A Journey Across India
FORREST GUMP is the story of a man but it is also the story of America in latter half of the 20th century. Forrest's guileless and genial nature helps put him into situations where he can experience big moments in American history first-hand.
The trailer for LAAL SINGH CHADDHA suggests the new movie will do the same thing in India. And that's a neat thing for viewers in the US who don't know the country's history as well as they do their own. There will be many surprises in this movie for audiences in the US.
Where Can You Watch Laal Singh Chaddha?
In the United States, LAAL SINGH CHADDHA is being released to movie theatres on August 11 by Paramount Pictures. Having a major US studio behind this release is a pretty big deal, and fairly unusual. Most Indian remakes of American movies don't get the support of the studio which released the original.
Who Stars in Laal Singh Chaddha?
Aamir Khan stars as Laal Singh Chaddha, while Kareena Kapoor Khan plays Rupa, who we expect is the remake's version of Jenny. Akkineni Naga Chaitanya, best known for his work in Telugu cinema, makes his Hindi film debut here as Bablu. Mona Singh also appears, as Laal Singh Chaddha's mother.
LAAL SINGH CHADDHA is directed by Advait Chandan, whose debut movie was SECRET SUPERTSAR in 2017. Actor/producer/writer Atul Kulkarni wrote the script based on Eric Roth's screenplay for FORREST GUMP.
LAAL SINGH CHADDHA opens on August 11.
All images courtesy of Paramount Pictures.