The Bollywood version of Forrest Gump

 Aamir Khan is a superior film maker, but deciding to do a remake of "Forrest Gump" (2022) appears to have been a mistake.  At least from a domestic box office viewpoint.  Fortunately it is faring better outside India and one can recognize its brilliance.

 It follows the "Forerst Gump" format adjusting for Indian history and culture.   We see history through the eyes of a very naive, "dim-witted" man who can always find the bright side.

Most of the movie is framed with Laal telling a series of stories encomposing  Indira Gandhi's assassination, wars,  the assault on the Taj Hotel and many others.

For a dim-witted man he stumbles onto a lot of success.  At one point he is a champion runner, later a war hero and later a successful business man.   He comes from a line of Sikh war heroes, but for most of the film was turbanless, until near the end.   His biggest obsession was with his youthful sweetheart who goes to Bollywood and mixes with the wrong people, but always considering him a friend, until she realizes she loves him too, nonetheless she lives with another man and has a child

Aamir Khan was producer along with ex wife Kiran Rao. He also plays the lead character.   Aamir Khan is one of the premier actors and film makers in the world.  As he got established he became an actor who concentrated on one film at a time.  Abstains from drinking and smoking, but will do so if film role requires it.  Related to filmmakers he started as a child actor, but became a star with "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak" (1988).  Most of his films were successful at the box office including "Dil Chata Hai" (2001), "Mangal Pandey" (2005), "Like Stars on Earth" (2007), "Ghajini" (2008), "3 Idiots" (2009), "PK (2014), "Dangal" (2016) and "Secret Superstar" (2017).  "Lagaan:  Once Upon a Time in India" (2001) started his success in the Chinese market (meaning he was at various times the most famous actor in the world with more than two huge markets).   Like Tom Hanks, Aamir did a lot of running, but he has a good body as has been required in some of his films.  Check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2011/07/dil-chatha-hai-bollywood-classic.html and  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/03/pk.html

Advait Chandan, the director has film credits for "Secret Superstar" (2017), "Like Stars on Earth" (2007), both connected with Aamir Khan.

Atul Kulkarni, writer, best known as an actor.  With "Hey Ram" (2000) winning a best supporting actor award, "Page 3" (2005), "Rang De Basanti" (2006), "Koode" (2018), "A Thursday" (2022) working not only in Hindi, but also Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telegu.  As president of Quest he advocates for improving education.  check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/02/the-message-is-spoiler.html  

Pritam Chakraborty composed for the script  and brought in Arijit Singh, my favorite singer and provided the unobtrusive background music.  He has composed for such films as "Jab We Met" (2007, containing one of the best romantic songs of Bollywood), "Life in a Metro" (2007 where he on screen as playback singer), "Rajneeti" ( 2010), "Yeh, Jawaani Dewani" (2013), Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" (2016) and  "Dangal" (2016).

Satyajit Pande is the cinematographer.  His film credits include "Like Stars on Earth" (2007), "Kahanni" (2012) and "Dangal" (2016).

Kareena Kapoor Khan played Rupa.  She has been in several memorable movies, but has also played a lot of vapid women.  I would say she is one of the better dancers and has demonstrated a diversity of roles.  Comes from a well known family in Bollywood.  Married Saif Ali Khan and has had one child.  Favorite movies of hers include "Jab we Met," (2007)  "3 Idiots" (2009), "Talaash" (2012) and "Good Newwz" (2018).  She was actually pregnant with her second child during filming.

Mona Singh plays his mother, but is actually younger than Aamir.  Her film credits include "3 Idiots" (2009).

Shah Rukh Khan has a cameo role, but as my favorite actor is always of interest.  Check him out.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2016/06/shah-rukh-khan-worlds-most-famous-actor.html

Manav Vij played the double amputee who became a business partner of Laal's.  Manav's film credits include "Udta Punjab" (2014), "Rangoon" (2017), Phillauri" (2017) and "Andhadhun" (2018).  When blogging for "Anhadhun" I was a little confused, well the film is worth seeing http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/10/telegu-remake-opens-my-eyes.html  

"Forrest Gump" is a vague memory for me, but this parallels much of it.  Not every one's cup of tea, but you can be assured if Aamir Khan is involved it is done very well.  If you enjoyed "Forrest Gump" there are adjustments to Indian history which has had its share of "interesting" events.

The first mention of films I have seen are bolded.