The friendship of actor Atul Kulkarni and Aamir Khan started with the film Laal Singh Chaddha Rang De Basanti. Atul wrote the film Lal Singh Chaddha for a friend. The film, the official Hindi remake of Hollywood actor Tom Hanks’ starrer Forrest Gump, was written by Atul several years back. The film will be released in theatres on August 11. In an interview, Atul Kulkarni was asked a series of questions, which are summarised below.
What was it about this film that made you an actor-turned-writer?
Atul said, “It was 14 years ago when there was talk between me and Aamir Khan about a movie, “Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na,” which was about to be released. That was the premiere of the film. After that premiere, we went to his house, had food, and chatted. Then we talk about movies: which ones are good, which ones should be seen. The Forrest Gump movie was mentioned at that time. I had already seen the film, and I loved it. Atul said: “One of my outdoor shoots was cancelled.” “I had 12 to 15 days. Forrest Gump’s DVD was placed in front. I thought it’d been a few days. Let’s watch the film again.”
While watching the film, some flashes came in front of him of what would have happened if this character had been in India and lived his life here. “I started writing notes,” Atul explained. After an hour or two, Atul said, “I thought, why not start writing this script?” “Let’s see where I go”. Atul said, “I started writing. The script was ready in 10 days. completed the final draught in two to three weeks.” Atul said, “When the talk started, there was no intention that I would write such a film.” When the script was completed, Atul said, “I had no idea that I would be able to write the script.”
Wasn’t it difficult for Aamir Khan to hold on to the script for 12 years? Didn’t think that this film should be made with any other artist?
Atul said, “Such a question was never in my mind, nor could it be.” Had Aamir not done this film, this film would not have been made. I wrote this script for my friend Aamir. Even if Aamir wasn’t my friend, he could have done the same thing in a film like this. The script got into the hands of the right person.”
How did you come up with the name Lal Singh Chaddha? Why did you think the character should be Sikh?
Atul said, “It would not be appropriate to say that, because the story is related to him.” This story could have been a story anywhere. This is the story of our country, in which all kinds of people live. Any character from this unique country could have been from anywhere. After watching the film, you will know why the name is “Lal Singh Chaddha”.
Atul said ,”The Forrest Gump film was based on the book by author Winston Groom”.
When asked that did he just adapted the film or incorporated something from the book?
Atul said, “No, I had not read that novel when I thought of making the film.” But the script I have written is based on the screenplay of the film Forrest Gump. But the way of writing is new, written according to the Indian audience, which can be seen from five-year-old children to the elderly. The story of our beautiful country is a family film. It could not be translated, but it has been transformed. I must have read that novel, but after writing the script. The original screenplay was “perfect”.
What kind of discussions were there with Aamir Khan regarding the script? He had said that he had postponed this script for some time?
Atul said, “He took two years to hear the script. The reason for that was that I had written the script of a film for the first time. It was an adaptation of Forrest Gump”. Atul said, “he couldn’t believe what I had written. He thought that he was such a close friend of mine, I could not offend him.Our friendship dates back to the era of Rang De Basati. He had not read the script. But the moment I narrated the script to him, he said this would be my next film. I will act in and produce this film. There was no apprehension in his mind whether the film should be done or not. The film was so ingrained in his mind that he kept trying for the rights of Forrest Gump for 10 years”.
Atul said, “This character of Aamir Khan was being compared to the characters of PK and Dhoom 3 films on the internet media”.
Do these trolls bother you?
Atul said, “To be honest, no, I don’t feel anxious because I don’t even see trolls. Atul asked, ” How can I be upset when I don’t even see”.
Do you like any other story that you are writing?
Atul said, “No, at the moment there is nothing like that. I don’t know if any story comes to mind, then I will write it”.
Lal Singh Chaddha was trending on twitterr with boycott calls.
Why ‘#BoycottLaalSinghChaddha‘ is trending?
Ahead of the release of Aamir and Kareena’s ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’, the film triggered controversy after “#BoycottLaalSinghChaddha” started trending on Twitter.
It appears that some Twitter users dug through the archives and found Aamir’s controversial remark about “India’s growing intolerance” and shared it there. Aamir’s wife Kiran Rao also made news when she said that she had considered fleeing the country for the safety of their children.
Kangana Ranaut, a Bollywood actress, is renowned for speaking her views. She has frequently found herself in controversy for the same reasons. This time, she discussed the issue surrounding Aamir Khan, a superstar, and his next movie Laal Singh Chaddha, in which Kareena Kapoor also co – starred. In her Instagram Story, Kangana also discussed an offensive comment made by Aamir in the past.
She wrote, “I think all the negativity around upcoming release Laal Singh Chadha is skilfully curated by mastermind Aamir Khan Ji himself. This year no Hindi films have worked (barring one exception of a comedy sequel). Only South films deeply rooted in Indian culture or with local flavour have worked. A Hollywood remake would have not worked anyway..But now they will call India intolerant.” She further added, “Hindi films need to understand the pulse of audiences. It’s not about being a Hindu or Muslim…even after Aamir Khan ji made a Hinduphobic PK or called India intolerant he gave biggest hits of his life… please stop making it about religion or ideology. It takes away from their bad acting and bad films.”
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