Aamir Khan has reacted to criticism against Mona Singh playing the role of his mother in the Hindi remake of Tom Hanks’ Forrest Gump.
Laal Singh Chaddha is one of the most awaited films of the year. It is all set to make its theatre release on August 11, 2022. The cast of the film includes Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor in lead roles and Mona Singh in a significant role.
In the film, Aamir plays the title role i.e., he will be seen as Laal Singh Chaddha. While, Mona has followed in her mother’s footsteps, Mrs. Chaddha. The film is a remake of the Academy Award-winning 1994 film Forrest Gump in which Tom Hanks played the lead role.
Since the trailer release of the film, Mona Singh has taken the audience into surprise by playing Aamir Khan’s onscreen mother. Several people have called it ageism on her part as she is younger than the superstar and was cast to play her mother in the film.
During a group interaction with the media, Khan defended Singh and asked how logical he was when it came to creativity. The Dangal star stated, ” I want to ask you a question that as an actor, as a creative person, if I’m looking 103, which I’m supposed to, why is my age inappropriate to play the role? Just because I am 57. What is the logic? Age specefic kya hota hai actor ke liye? Actor ka toh yeh kamaal hota hai ke woh kuch bi age ka ho aur kuch bi age lage. (What is age specific for an actor? It is the beauty of the actor to look any age on the screen despite their real age). ”
He further added, “Kya baat kar rahe ho aap log? Yeh toh Mona Singh ka kamaal hai. Jab aap dekhoge toh aapko lagega ke badi young lag rahi hai. Phir aapko lagega ke yeh toh badi old bhi dikh rahi hai. Yeh toh uska kamaal hai. Aap uska kamaal cheen rahe hain usse. Bohot wrong kar rahe ho. Agar main Mona hota toh main bohut disturb ho jata (What are you saying? This is Mona Singh’s brilliance. When you see her in the film then you will think that she is looking very young. You will also feel that she is looking old as well. It is her brilliance. You are snatching away her good work. This is wrong. Had I been in her shoes I would have been very disturbed).”
Khan also holds forth to a statement made by Neena Gupta about how young actors are also playing older roles. He said, “This is a larger discussion. I personally feel that if I am directing a film, I’m talking as a creative person. If I feel this person is correct for this role, and as far as the age is concerned, I am going to deal with how old that person looks, male or female, no matter, then that’s my choice. I am the director. If you want to cast someone else, then make your own film.”
The film is directed by Advait Chandan. Laal Singh Chaddha is scheduled to release in theatres on August 11 this year. Apart from Aamir and Mona, Kareena Kapoor and Naga Chaitanya are also a part of the film. Chaitanya will mark his Bollywood debut with the film. The film is produced by Aamir Khan Productions and Viacom18 Studios.
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