Laal Singh Chadha on cinema: Bollywood’s Forrest Gump is ‘a cultural bridge between our two worlds’

“Life is like a Golgap box. Once you start, you can’t stop…” If this Indian food has replaced chocolates and the hero now tells his story on a train and not on a chair, Laal Singh Chadha’s emotions and beauty have nothing to envy to Forrest Gump, whose remake from Bollywood uses purity and innocence. A character who has to tell India today through his eyes.

Starring Aamir Khan, he takes on Tom Hanks and crosses (admittedly sometimes runs) all the political, social and cultural events of his country to find his precious Rupa. A large-scale project, filmed in more than a hundred locations across the country, Laal Singh Chadha It arrives this week in cinemas worldwide and in France in particular. A meeting with his hero and producer, the perfectionist Aamir “Laal” Khan.

AlloCiné: You are one of the biggest stars of Bollywood, but the French public doesn’t know you at all. How do you introduce yourself?

Aamir Khan : I am a Bollywood actor and have been in this business for over 35 years. I’ve been lucky enough to have had some amazing experiences and work with so many great people. All this allowed me to learn a lot about my work. I am very grateful for all the success I have had in my career… I especially enjoyed playing in Lagaan in 2001. Another film I am proud of is Three Idiots, released in 2009. Unforgettably PK in 2014 and Dangal. in 2016. And today I am delighted with the achieved success Laal Singh Chadha.

How did you step into the shoes of this character, inspired by Forrest Gump? Have you talked to Tom Hanks about this?

I met Tom Hanks A very long time ago and long before he acquired the rights to remake his film. A 45-minute exchange that really bothered me, but we didn’t talk Forrest Gump Because I didn’t have the right yet. Playing Laal was fun but also an interesting challenge. He’s very different from American Forrest: similar in essence, but different enough to be a unique and moving character.

Laal talks a lot about the history of India and its many religious conflicts. Do you think this film can help India come to terms with itself?

Of course, this is a message of love. Laal is a pure hearted character…so innocent. There is no negativity in him and this character can only inspire great love. It’s what we keep inside at the end of the movie, all this love she gives us. I hope it will have a positive impact on society.

Another theme in your film is violence against women, is this an important theme for you?

Absolutely, even if it was the idea of ​​screenwriter Atul Kulkarni, who adapted the original film. But this is obviously an important topic for me, very relevant and very relevant…

Also tell us about the guy who plays the young Laal, Ahma Ibn Umar?

It was a key choice because we had to find a guy who could look like me and who was like my grown-up interpretation of Laal. It was lucky to find Ahma, who excels in this role.

By taking such an important character in Western film culture and giving it an Indian twist, do you think ‘Laal Singh Chadha’ can serve as a cultural bridge between these two audiences?

As you know, Forrest Gump It was a huge success in the West. Initially, we wanted to make a film for the Indian audience. I have since been surprised that the executives at Paramount, after finishing the film, liked it so much that they now want to release it all over the world apart from India. It was then that I realized that the film is connecting with an international audience beyond India. Yes, it can be a cultural bridge between our two worlds. It completely enchants me.

In the framework of your rich career, what does this new film represent, how important is it?

I hope society will remember Laal’s purity and innocence. I myself would like to be a bit like him… I hope the audience will feel the same.

Forrest Gump’s racing scene revisited by Laal Singh Chadha