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. 

The Message is a Spoiler A Thursday

The finish of this movie "A Thursday" (2022) is very moving, in fact has a strong message.  Unfortunately it is a spoiler and for many of my readers it is probably inaccessible for the moment.  It was released to Hula, known as Hotstar in Canada, but is also connected to the Disney Network in the United States and the rest of the world. 

 It is a tense story, but also incongruous.  A teacher of young children quietly lets it be known she is holding 16 children as hostages and will be making demands later.  The first investigator quickly decides that it is a prank until a gunshot is fired.  A negotiator who happens to be pregnant arrives, but is quickly told that the teacher wants a different negotiator, a subordinate and we learn there is resentment between the two.  The first had already called in a combat unit and is ready to charge in, but the second negotiator stops them for the time being.  The teacher this time is controlling the children with cartoons, games and food and is well loved by the children.  She is a very smart negotiator and soon gets national television attention.  

We learn that the teacher has anti-depressant pills and this just seems to confirm that she must be crazy.  She demands a sum of money and to talk to the Prime Minister who is a woman.  All the Prime Minister's advisors tell her not to talk as it would only encourage others.  She is adamant that she does not want to be thought of as callous about the children.  Her staff actually go behind her back and claim she will not talk to the hostage taker, but she finds out and is furious.  The climax of the movie occurs when the two meet.

The teacher/hostage taker is not crazy, but realizes to have her concern paid attention to she had to take drastic action.  The message is strong and at the start of the credits we are all reminded.  I will respect the intent of the producers that the message will have more impact if not revealed too soon.  I assure you that your attention will be riveted.   This movie will likely win some awards, but more than most awarded movies it will leave the viewers stunned.

To put such a film to the public requires an impressive cast and crew.

 Behzad Khambata is the first time director and co-writer after a few sessions as assistant director.

The producers include Ronnie Screwvala with such films as "Rang De Basanti" (2006),  "Barfi" (2012),  "Kai Po Che" (2013)  and "Uri:  The Surgical Strike" (2019).  Read:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/05/kai-che-po.html

The background music which adds to the tension is by Kaizad Gherda.  He has been writing for movies and tv. series since 2010.  There are none of the usual Bollywood dance scenes.

Cinematographer Anuj Rakesh Dhawan has worked on such films as "Shubh Mangal Savdhan" (2017), and "Bala" (2019).  Siddharth Vasani, the other cinematographer was with the camera crew for "Uri:  The Surgical Strike" (2019).

Editor Sumeet Kotian   was an assistant editor for "Drishyam" (2015) and associate editor for "Madaari" (2016).   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/02/madaari-open-movie-about-government.html

Yami Gautam was outstanding as the teacher/hostage taker    Her role was demanding as she played a very charming teacher, but also an outraged hostage taker.  Yami studied law and later did many commercials .  She has starred in such films as "Vicky Donor" (2012), "Badlapur" (2015), "Kaabil" (2017), "Uri:  The Surgical Strike" (2019) and"Bala" (2019).     http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/04/vicky-donor-cf-dharala-prabhu.html

Atul Kulkarni played the requested negotiator who had to deal with superiors wanting more action and also the recipient of surprises.  He has been in such films as "Hey Ram" (2000), "Page 3" (2005), "Rang De Basanti" (2006) and "The Ghazi Attack" (2017).

Neha Dhupia played the pregnant original negotiator who kept butting in and uncovering information.  She has appeared in such films as "Dasvidanyia" (2008), "Hindi Medium" (2017), "Qarib Qarib Single" (2017) and "Lust Stories" (2018)

Dimple Kapadia played the Prime Minister as an admired independent leader.  Dimple became a major star at age 16 in "Bobby" (1973).  She married an older star, Rajesh Khanna and quit films.  She did get back in another ten years and appeared in such movies as "Dil Chahta Hai" (2001), "Luck by Chance" (2009), "Finding Fanny" (2014) and "Tenet" (2020).   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2011/07/dil-chatha-hai-bollywood-classic.html

This has been the highest rated movie seen this year and is likely to remain in the top three.  Worth an effort.   

As usual I have bolded first mentions of other films.