A fresh buzz of 2022 is the Aamir Khan starrer Laal Singh Chaddha, a remake of the second highest grossing American film of 1994, Forrest Gump. This film is also a Hindi debut for the loved south Indian star, Naga Chaitanya. Laal Singh Chaddha premiered on August 11, 2022. However, the film was declared a box office bomb which is speculated to be the result of a nationwide boycott of the film. But as a remake, Laal Singh Chaddha gained a mixed response from the critics who appreciated the emotional side of the movie, especially the ending part compared to the history-based story of Forrest Gump.
In this article, we will go through the movie and get some insights about the movie while comparing it with Tom Hank’s Forrest Gump. We will try to know and explain the ending of Laal Singh Chaddha in particular and see what’s new for the viewers in this 2022 remake. So let’s begin.
About Laal Singh Chaddha
Laal Singh Chaddha is a 2022 Hindi remake of the American comedy-drama film Forrest Gump (1994). Produced under Aamir Khan Productions and Viacom18 Studios, the film stars Amir Khan in the lead role. Eric Roth wrote its screenplay along with Atul Kulkarni, and Advait Chandan directed it.
Unlike Forrest Gump, which was filmed in limited locations in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, Laal Singh Chaddha has been filmed in more than 100 locations across India. Although the film was announced in 2019, the pandemic pushed its release dates forwards. It was finally released in theatres on August 11, 2022. It couldn’t cross half of its 180 crore budget in the first week and hence declared a box office flop.
The Star Cast
Aamir Khan as Laal Singh Chaddha plays the role analogous to Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump. Kareena Kapoor plays his love interest and future wife, Rupa D’Souza. Ahmad Ibn Umar and Hafsa Ashraf play young Laal and Rupa, respectively. Naga Chaitanya, as Balaraju “Bala” Bodi (analogous to Blue in Forrest Gump), plays Singh’s colleague in the Indian Army.
Other important stars include Mona Singh as Mrs. Chaddha (Laal’s mother), Manav Vij as Muhammad (as Pakistan Army Commander who befriends Laal), and Jagat Rawat. Kamini Kaushal and Shah Rukh Khan appeared in cameo roles.
The Initial Plot
As Laal Singh Chaddha is a Hindi remake of a 1994 movie, almost two decades after Forrest Gump, a few modifications to the story are bound to occur. The times have changed, and so has the story. However, the characters are the same or at least close to the original plot.
Laal is a low IQ but kindhearted man who is often bullied for his weak legs and dim wit. But his fellow classmate and love interest Rupa along with his own mother motivated him a lot. One day while returning home, a group of fellow students throws stones at Laal. Hence, to save himself, Laal starts hopping and eventually runs, thus breaking his leg braces. Laal realizes his running ability for the first time.
One day while enquiring about Rupa’s absence at school, Laal reaches her home and witnesses the domestic violence between her parents. But in the process, her mother dies, and her father is sent to Jail. Rupa and Laal later go to Hindu College, Delhi, where Laal becomes an athlete, while Rupa aspires to be an actress to earn infinite wealth. The film also includes references to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the 1990 Rathyatra, and the Mandal Commission riots.
Rupa and Laal complete their graduation. Rupa leaves for Mumbai while Laal joins the Indian Army. He befriends Balaraju Bodi, who died during the 1999 Indo-Pak war, in which both the men participated. Indian government rewards Laal for his bravery in the war. Meanwhile, Rupa faces a boycott on obscenity charges. Also, in an urge to earn quick money, Rupa enters the world of gangsters as a mistress. And her acting career vanishes. Laal and Rupa meet briefly in between.
Laal opened up an innerwear business as he promised to Bala. However, Pakistani commander Mohammed Baaji helps him with marketing. Laal saved him in the 1990 war. He then returns to his homeland while Laal’s mother dies.
Laal Singh Chaddha ending
Towards the end, Rupa does come back to meet Laal, but Police catch her and send her to six-month imprisonment for her links with gangsters. Unknown to her imprisonment, Laal thinks Rupa left him and starts running for no reason. However, the media covers his running as a great cause, and he becomes a famous philosophical man.
But as he stops, he returns to his village and finds Rupa’s letters, who now live in Chandigarh. He reaches to Rupa and learns about their son, Aman. And also about Rupa’s illness which will eat her soon. They marry and make memories together before Rupa dies and sends his son to the same school Laal went thus completing the whole movie.
Overall, Laal Singh Chaddha is an Indian version of Forrest Gump whose ending touches more on the emotional side of the story than mere history.
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