New Delhi: Aamir Khan’s much-awaited film ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ is all set to release on August 11. The film is an official adaptation of Robert Zemeckis’ six Academy Awards winner 'Forrest Gump' starring Tom Hanks. Ahead of the film's release, international media reviewed the film and the response is mostly positive.
The film overall got a thumbs up from the international critics but Aamir Khan’s acting failed to impress The Wrap’s reviewer Carlos Aguilar. He wrote in his review, “Not that Tom Hanks’ performance as Forrest could ever be hailed as a paragon of subtle acting, but Khan’s interpretation of the character borders on parody. The exaggerated facial expressions and laughter read as disparagingly theatrical, even if that’s not their intent."
He further added, “His unspecified condition endows him not with a strong moral compass that he’s conscious of, but with an obliviousness to move through the world without noticing most of its malice. And as much as the creators of either version might believe this to be a loving and flattering portrayal, in truth it has always been reductive and condescending."
Slash Film’s Whitney Seibold felt the film is the superior version of ‘Forrest Gump’. He wrote, “Laal Singh Chaddha" might still be as fitfully mawkish as "Gump" in its tendency toward brazen sentimentality, but is a film more deliberately rooted in philosophies of gentleness. It is the superior version. “
Whitney further added, “Laal Singh Chaddha" is hardly a Terrence Malick-like contemplation of pacifist philosophy — it's ultimately a broad, sentimentalist opera designed to have audiences reaching for their handkerchiefs — but it does have a more complex and gentle point of view than the film it's remaking. Despite how corny it is, "Laal Singh Chaddha" it unexpectedly disarming.”
Indie Wire’s Proma Khosla felt that the Advait Chandan directorial “stands on its own” despite being a remake of a Hollywood classic. She wrote, “Instead of a box of chocolates or the obvious Indian equivalent, the film takes things a step further, adding strong depth and resonance to what could otherwise have been an unremarkable adaptation.” She added, “Laal Singh Chaddha measures its emotional beats tactically, deploying poignant punches sporadically throughout.”
She also praised Atul Kulkarni for the screenplay and wrote, “The lazy version of adapting a film internationally is changing its location, cast, and little else, but Kulkarni is meticulous about finding not only the “Indian version” of each “Forrest Gump” beat but infusing it with the same charm that made the 1994 film so indelible.”
Directed by Advait Chandan, 'Laal Singh Chaddha' also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Mona Singh, Naga Chaitanya.