Veteran Hollywood star Tom Hanks recently gave Laal Singh Chaddha, the Bollywood adaptation of his iconic 1994 film Forrest Gump, a hearty nod of approval. Starring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, the film was ambitious in its attempt to retell the story of an extraordinary life against the backdrop of Indian history. And while audiences in India met it with mixed reviews, Hanks found it to be a remarkable feat. “I saw that. Extraordinary,” Hanks said with palpable enthusiasm during an interview with Zoom. He described the remake as “a glorious thing to behold,” emphasizing the fascinating way films can evolve and inspire new interpretations across the globe.
Hanks reflected on the universal power of cinema and its ability to transcend cultural boundaries. “Every now and again, there is a film that enters the worldwide consciousness that you cannot forget, that you cannot escape,” he noted. It seems Forrest Gump has become one of those enduring narratives that seep into different cultures, as seen in Laal Singh Chaddha. Hanks highlighted the balance of familiarity and novelty that such adaptations bring. “Look at the difference and yet look at the similarities despite the filmmakers and the cultures that they were in. In many ways, those films were saying the same thing but with the added prospect of the new perspective that came along with it,” he explained, celebrating the beauty of reinterpretation.
“It was a glorious thing to behold,” Hanks concluded, making it clear that he views such creative exchanges as important milestones in global storytelling.
Despite Hanks’ praise, Laal Singh Chaddha faced an uphill battle in its home country. Released with high expectations, the film underperformed at the box office, leaving fans and critics divided. While some appreciated the earnest effort to recreate a classic, others felt that it failed to capture the magic of the original. The pacing and dialogue drew particular criticism, as did Aamir Khan’s portrayal of the titular character.
Aamir, known for his painstaking attention to detail and methodical approach, took the film’s poor reception to heart. In a candid moment of self-reflection, he admitted to overplaying
