Showing posts with label Forrest Gump. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forrest Gump. Show all posts
I had confidence because Aamir Khan was mentoring me-Naga Chaitanya
8:29 AM
Foraying into Hindi movies with Laal Singh Chaddha, Telugu star Naga Chaitanya on his initial fear about Forrest Gump being adapted and Bollywood plans
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; August 1, 2022)
Most actors would think twice before making their Bollywood debut with an extended cameo. But Naga Chaitanya, who plays a key role in Laal Singh Chaddha, had no apprehension about his screen time. His fear had its roots elsewhere. With the film, Aamir Khan was adapting Forrest Gump (1994), a movie that has achieved an iconic status over the years. The stakes, hence, were higher.
“I was apprehensive. If it was any actor other than Aamir, I am not sure if I would have done the role. [Forrest Gump] is a classic, and a reference point for so many filmmakers and viewers. But I had confidence because Aamir was mentoring me. I knew that I would be in the right hands,” says Chaitanya, who plays an army officer in the movie.
Advait Chandan’s directorial venture is only the stepping stone to Bollywood for Chaitanya, who has established himself in Telugu cinema. “I’m aware that each market has its own set of stars that the audience [loves]. This [admiration] comes from years of watching them. I am curious to see whether the audience will accept me after Laal Singh Chaddha. I want to explore Bollywood, but first, I need to pass the test.”
While the actor has a wide fan following, thanks to his movies like Ye Maaya Chesave (2010) and Premam (2016), he is often compared to his superstar father Nagarjuna. He views this as a compliment, and a reminder that he has a long way to go.
“I look up to him. Here too, they will compare me to him, but it’s healthy. Whenever we go for interviews and see a woman walking up to us, we keep guessing whether she wants a picture with my dad or me,” he laughs, before adding, “It’s almost always with dad.”
The past year has been difficult for Chaitanya. The actor, who was married to Samantha Ruth Prabhu, parted ways in late 2021. Since then, he has been in the news for his personal life more than his movies. “It disturbs me when my personal life is the headline rather than my professional life, because we work so hard to showcase our talent. Unfortunately, some sections of the media are only interested in your personal space. I have always been the first to tell the media or [fans] about my personal life, if it’s crucial enough to be informed. Whatever they write [after that] is speculation. I don’t feel the need to respond to that.”
Like in the original, my role in Laal Singh Chaddha is layered-Kareena Kapoor
8:48 AM
Joining hands with Aamir Khan after their acclaimed 2009 offering, 3 Idiots, Laal Singh Chaddha actor Kareena on taking inspiration from Forrest Gump
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; July 30, 2022)
Following their successful 2009 collaboration, 3 Idiots, and the 2012 release Talaash, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Aamir Khan join hands again. As his love interest in the upcoming drama, Laal Singh Chaddha, Kapoor revisits a role played by American actor Robin Wright in Forrest Gump (1994) of which this film is an official adaptation.
Ask her if Wright’s act as Jenny in the original served as a template for her, and Kapoor shares, “We have adapted it [to replicate] her character, which was deep and layered. We’ve brought that in this film as well. She keeps returning to [the protagonist’s life] during different stages. It is an emotional journey, and is the kind of film that will have you rooting for the lovers, Laal and Rupa, to eventually be together. That’s the special aspect of the [original], and we have retained that.”
Based on the life of a slow-witted man who goes on to achieve exemplary feats with childlike optimism, the film will see Laal and Rupa’s characters interact across different phases, right from their childhood to well into their 50s. While Khan has always reiterated that Kapoor holds a special place in his films, Kapoor shares that she looks forward to joining hands with an actor who has as much “gumption, bravery, and strength” as Khan does. “He will never play himself in any film. It is a special film, and you expect nothing less from Aamir. If you look at his 40 year-long career, you’ll see that it is such a prolific one. He is close to [being] a Thespian; he has worked with everybody. He is clear about what he wants, and his passion and dedication towards his craft is unparalleled.”
If Khan has had a lasting impact in Bollywood, Kapoor too has often marched to her own tunes. In an industry where the professional life of female actors could be rather short-lived, Kapoor became rather irreplaceable. Ask her what enabled her to enjoy a lasting career, and she points to her tendency to not dissociate her personality from her craft.
“Today, we have wonderful actors doing amazing work, but I don’t need to be on a magazine cover or do a brand show to establish that I am successful. I know what I bring to the table, and I choose to not do certain things. I would choose a holiday over a 20-day filming schedule, but that’s the kind of person that I am. Obviously, when I am on day 20 of the holiday, I will think about returning to sign a movie, or do something. Sometimes, I feel I shouldn’t be unemployed and should return to reading scripts and hosting meetings, because I am very lazy and will get into a slumber and not respond to [filmmakers]. I may think that I don’t want to do meetings, because I want to take my afternoon naps instead. So, it’s a fine line; you have to catch me on a good day.”
When I wrote Forrest Gump's remake, I had visualized only Aamir Khan in the role-Atul Kulkarni
8:30 AM
Laal Singh Chaddha writer Kulkarni discusses it all — from sharing Forrest Gump adaptation idea with Aamir years ago, to making it a “desi film”
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; July 25, 2022)
During the making of Rang De Basanti (2006), Atul Kulkarni had suggested to Aamir Khan that Forrest Gump (1994) could be beautifully adapted for the Indian audience, thus enabling viewers to revisit the country’s political and cultural milestones. The idea stayed with Khan, since the Tom Hanks’ starrer was one of his all-time favourites. Almost 16 years on, the duo have brought their idea to fruition with Laal Singh Chaddha.
Adapting the Hollywood drama, rooted in American history, was not easy. Kulkarni, who serves as Laal Singh Chaddha’s writer, says, “Every word was a challenge. It was difficult to adapt it in the Indian context. We have made it a desi film. Also, [when I had written the remake years ago], I had visualized only Aamir in the role.”
He is glad that Khan saw merit in the project and agreed to not only star in it, but also back it through the years. “Rang De Basanti was an experience that stayed on with us, and that translated into a deep friendship. We have been in touch ever since. Aamir is the kind of person who loves to grow each day. At every meeting that we have had, I always felt that I have learnt something from him,” he smiles.
With a superstar involved in a film from the early stages, one may think that a writer does not get a free hand. But Kulkarni points out that creativity is only enhanced by collaboration. “There is a wrong notion about getting a free hand, because on any film, there are bound to be discussions. People feel discussions are disputes, and that’s where the misunderstanding lies. With this film, I would say whatever I had written in the script [has made it to the screen]. There are a few changes that were discussed and made. It was a collective [endeavour], as any film should be.”
As it readies for release, the Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan-starrer has a tall order. While, like any other movie, it aspires to appeal to the audience, Laal Singh Chaddha will also have the added pressure of comparisons with the Hollywood gem. The writer is unperturbed, as he says, “When you see Laal Singh Chaddha, you’ll see it’s an independent desi film.”
I wouldn't have agreed to give screen test for anyone except Aamir Khan-Kareena Kapoor
7:53 AM
Laal Singh Chaddha's leading lady Kareena Kapoor Khan on auditioning for the first time in her 20-year career
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 26, 2019)
"There was no way I would have missed working with Aamir Khan," emphasises Kareena Kapoor Khan, who landed the coveted role of the female lead in Laal Singh Chaddha, a few months ago. The actor created quite a flutter recently when she revealed that she was required to audition for the part — her first screen test in a stellar career spanning almost two decades. In Hollywood, auditions may be par for the course, but superstars giving screen tests for roles remains unheard of in Bollywood's star-driven system."I wouldn't have agreed to do this for anyone except Aamir. He is a genius, and he would want to do the best for his film. If he asked me to audition, it is only because he knew I was perfect for the part. But he wanted to be sure of what he was seeing in me. There's science to that decision," she argues.
Prod her about the audition, and she excitedly says, "He wanted me to read two scenes with him. The minute I did the reading, I knew I had bagged the part. I have an amazing chemistry with Aamir that comes alive [on screen] the minute we get together." The duo, who has earlier collaborated on 3 Idiots (2009), has a more ambitious offering this time around — the Advait Chandan-directed venture is an official adaptation of Tom Hanks' Forrest Gump (1994). "Aamir is as transformative as Tom Hanks. I am his biggest fan. He is the only actor who leaves me tongue-tied."
Kareena Kapoor bags Aamir Khan-starrer Laal Singh Chaddha
8:51 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (June 22, 2019)
One of India’s premiere content studios, Viacom18 Studios, in association with Aamir Khan Productions, has announced their upcoming film Laal Singh Chaddha, which is inspired by the Oscar-winning movie, Forrest Gump (1994). The Hollywood film was headlined by Tom Hanks, who bagged the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal as Gump. While Aamir Khan will essay the titular role in the Indian adaptation of the film, Kareena Kapoor Khan will star opposite him for the third time. The hit duo has previously shared screen space in 3 Idiots and Talaash.
Laal Singh Chaddha will be directed by Advait Chandan of Secret Superstar fame and is being written by actor-writer Atul Kulkarni. The film releases on Christmas 2020. Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Studios, says, “It gives me immense pleasure to announce our upcoming venture with Aamir Khan. For every cinephile out there, their must-watch list of films would be incomplete without Forrest Gump. To be able to adapt the classic for Indian audiences is a long-cherished dream for many of us. Knowing Aamir’s burning passion for this subject for many years, he is the perfect partner to bring to life this dream. I also want to thank Jim Gianopulos and Andrew Gumpert (from Paramount Pictures) and their team for believing in our vision and continuously supporting all endeavours to bring some of their best content to the Indian markets.”
“We’re thrilled to see them bring this timeless story to a whole new generation of audiences,” said Andrew Gumpert, Chief Operating Officer of Paramount Pictures.
For those who came in late, Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama film based on the 1986 novel of the same name authored by Winston Groom. The story depicts several decades in the life of Forrest Gump (Hanks), a slow-witted but kind-hearted man from Alabama, who unwittingly influences several defining historical events in the 20th century in the United States. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Post Thugs Of Hindostan debacle, Aamir Khan flies to an undisclosed location for a break?
8:45 AM
DNA (December 1, 2018)
After claiming responsibility for the failure of his latest release, Thugs Of Hindostan (TOH), Aamir Khan has flown out of the country to an undisclosed location. While there’s no official announcement of his next film, After Hrs had reported that the superstar was in talks to acquire the rights of the Oscar-winning Hollywood film, Forrest Gump (1994). Apparently, Aamir has been negotiating for the rights of the movie for a while. However, people in the know indicate that he is all set to strike a deal with the Hollywood studio that produced it. Based on American author Winston Groom’s 1986 novel by the same name, the Robert Zemeckis directorial depicts the protagonist Forrest’s life story spanning a number of decades as he witnesses historical moments in the 20th-century United States.
Rumour has it that after Secret Superstar, Advait Chandan will direct another film for the actor-filmmaker’s company. However, it’s not clear whether it’s this project or another one. At the last event Aamir attended before flying overseas, he shouldered the blame for the debacle of TOH, saying though they didn’t hold back from putting in all their efforts to make a good movie, they went wrong. “I’m feeling really bad that we didn’t succeed in entertaining the audience. So, next time we will try harder,” he assured. Wonder if he will make good on his promise with the adaptation of Forrest Gump.
I would love to do a biopic, but it has to excite me beyond a point-Arjun Kapoor
9:37 AM
Upala KBR (DNA; May 31, 2017)
Arjun Kapoor’s choice in films is more spontaneous than formulaic. The actor, a persistent risk-taker, has consistently bucked the trend and gone for the less-expected option. Sometimes, this has worked to his advantage, sometimes, it has not. The actor has done films in several genres, but never in a particular one. We’ll tell you which one a little later...
Know how one genre works at the box-office and everyone wants to make the same kind of films? At any given time in the past few years, pick up any genre — woman-centric, biopics, action-drama, slice-of-life, based-on-true-stories, etc — and you’ll notice that there’s a me-too melee to the method.
Take biopics for example. Girls of the current generation are considering it. Shraddha Kapoor is playing Dawood Ibrahim’s sister Haseena Parkar in Haseena Queen of Mumbai and badminton star Saina Nehwal in her upcoming biopic, Sonam Kapoor played Neerja Bhanot in Neerja, Nargis Fakhri played a character inspired by Sangeeta Bijlani in Azhar, while Disha Patani played MS Dhoni’s girlfriend in the Dhoni biopic.
With the boys, however, it’s a different story. Save for Ranbir Kapoor (the upcoming Sanjay Dutt biopic and Sushant Singh Rajput (M S Dhoni - The Untold Story), his colleagues like Varun Dhawan, Sidharth Malhotra, Ranveer Singh, have kept away from playing real characters on screen.
Obviously, we’re sure Arjun was offered one at some point. He admits, “I have been offered a couple in the past, but didn’t do them for various reasons. Some offers come because something is in vogue, but there is no thought behind it. There are various conversations which happen, which I don’t entertain them beyond being dignified to meet the person or read it out for the sake of it because you sometimes know that the intent is not there.”
When questioned about the kind of roles he’d like working on, he says, “More than a biopic, I would like to play a fictional character in a real situation — like Forrest Gump. He’s a fictional character but the plot point of the film deals with real incidents that happened in the past. That fascinates me. Or like A Curious Case Of Benjamin Button.” He concludes, “I am not saying that I won’t do a biopic, but it has to excite me beyond a point.”
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