Aamir Khan still can’t get over his 2022 flop, ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ by Advait Chandan. It’s the official Indian remake of Tom Hanks‘ 1994 Hollywood film ‘Forrest Gump’. At the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) in Australia, Aamir said this failure felt very different from his last one, ‘Thugs of Hindostan’, the 2018 action adventure by Vijay Krishna Acharya.
Aamir Khan on ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ flop
“When Thugs didn’t do well, I wasn’t surprised because I didn’t like it. So, the audience and I were on the same side. Though I was sad because so much effort was put into it. Adi (Aditya Chopra) had put in so much money. He’s a great producer. He’d done so much for the film. And of course, we were all disappointed. But it was like an accident I could see happening in slow motion. But with Laal Singh Chaddha, I thought it’s a very nice film. It’s still a very good film,” Khan confessed.
Aamir Khan on low cinema turnout
As the live crowd praised the film, Khan countered that few had actually attended its theatrical debut. “While a number of people have liked Laal Singh Chaddha, I’m also aware that a number of people really didn’t get it. It’d be childish of me to try and believe otherwise because there’s absolutely no way you can kill a film that the audience is loving. So, if it’s not worked, then the audience hasn’t connected with it,” added Aamir.
Aamir Khan admits budget overconfidence
Aamir highlighted how he overspent on the Rs 200 crore budget for ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’. “I had too many successed back to back, so I became overconfident. So, I thought it’d easily do Rs 300 crore. Ideally, I’d have sat with my production team and told them it’s not a mainstream film. Then we’d have figured out what its scope is. We should’ve taken the lower limit, and not be hopeful,” said the actor.
Aamir Khan equates flop to child’s loss
Choking up with tears in his eyes, Aamir equated Laal Singh Chaddha’s flop to the loss of a child. “When Laal Singh didn’t work, I was quite shattered. I was very sad, depressed, and in mourning,” said Aamir. He eventually grew stronger from the ordeal. “It was initially traumatic for me for a few months, but then I pulled myself out of it. I think that’s how I am. I don’t try and curb my emotions. It’s very important for me to feel. Whatever I’m feeling, I allow myself to feel that,” added the actor.
Aamir Khan on family support
Amid Laal Singh Chaddha’s setback, the one bright spot was his family’s presence. “Before that because of Covid, I’d tried to reconnect with my family. So when Laal Singh didn’t work, my sisters (Nikhat and Farhat Khan) were visiting me. My mom (Zeenat Hussain) was around. My kids (Junaid, Ira, and Azad Khan) were visiting. Kiran (Rao, ex-wife) was dropping by. Reena (Dutta, ex-wife) was asking, ‘What’s up? Are you okay?’ I was like, itna bhav toh mujhe life mei kabhi nahi mila yaar (laughs). If I would’ve gotten so much attention from my family after a flop, I’d have given two or three more yaar,” Aamir said, laughing.
‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ cast and earnings
‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ was penned by Atul Kulkarni and featured Kareena Kapoor, Mona Singh, Manav Vij, Naga Chaitanya, and others. Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, Paramount Pictures, and Viacom18 Studios, the film made on a Rs 200 crore budget grossed just Rs 130 crore worldwide. Still, it garnered significant love after its digital premiere on Netflix.
Aamir Khan’s next projects
On the work front, Aamir Khan eagerly awaits his next production, ‘Ek Din’, starring his son Junaid and marking Sai Pallavi’s Bollywood debut. He’s also backing Sunny Deol‘s ‘Lahore 1947’, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi.
