No, Laal Singh Chaddha is neither a real story nor a biopic of any particular individual. Laal Singh Chaddha is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language comedy drama film, directed by Advait Chandan and written by Atul Kulkarni. Produced jointly by Paramount Pictures, Aamir Khan Productions and Viacom18 Studios, the movie stars Aamir Khan in the title role, alongside Kareena Kapoor, Naga Chaitanya and Mona Singh.
Laal Singh Chaddha is an official Hindi remake of the 1994 Hollywood classic “Forrest Gump”, starring Tom Hanks. Forrest Gump was itself adapted from a 1986 novel authored by Winston Groom, which is also entirely fictional. Neither the original character, Forrest Gump, nor the Indian version, Laal Singh Chaddha, is based on any real person.
Plot Summary
Laal Singh Chaddha, a Sikh gentleman from a village in Pathankot, narrates his extraordinary life story to fellow passengers on a train journey. The story follows his narration, starting right from his childhood in the 1970s.
As a boy, Laal wears leg braces due to a curved spine and has an IQ of 75, making school admission difficult. His loving mother manages to get him admitted into a missionary school where he meets and falls in love with Rupa D’Souza. The story then weaves through Laal’s perspective as a young boy through key historical moments in India.
Laal Singh Chaddha joins the Indian Army where he becomes fast friends with Baala. He saves multiple soldiers during the 1999 Kargil War, including a Pakistani soldier named Mohammad Baji. However, Baala dies, leaving Laal heartbroken.
After the war, Laal Singh Chaddha establishes an undergarment business with the help Mohammad Baji. The business becomes immensely successful under the brand name “Rupa”, the love of his life. Meanwhile, Rupa pursues modeling and acting but gets involved with a notorious gangster.
Laal waits for Rupa to return to him. Eventually she returns but is terminally ill. She has a son named Aman, who is also biological Laal’s son. Despite everything, Laal marries Roopa, giving her love, care and peace in her final days. After her death, he raises Aman and enrolls him in his old school.
Historical Elements
Some real historical incidents have been used as a backdrop to the character’s journey. These events are the 1983 Cricket World Cup victory, the 1984 anti-Sikh riots following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Ram Temple movement, Mandal Commission protests and 1999 Kargil War.