Page 14 - aruba-today-20220811

a14 people & arts
Thursday 11 augusT 2022
Run, Laal, run: Aamir Khan stars in Indian ‘Forrest Gump’

By HILARY FOX star and everyone loves
Associated Press him so much,” Khan says.
Indian actor Aamir Khan “He was really sporting and
enjoyed “Forrest Gump” so generous and said, yes, I’d
much that he’s starring in a love to do that.”
Hindi remake. “Laal Singh Chaddha” is
Released in 1994, the origi- releasing around the world
nal film went on to sweep this month — including
the Oscars, taking six tro- on 350 screens in the U.K.,
phies including best pic- which is a new record for
ture and best actor for Tom an Indian movie.
Hanks. Directed by Robert “I’m really nervous,” Khan
Zemeckis and written by admits.
Eric Roth based on Win- This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Aamir Khan in a scene from “Laal Singh “It’s a film that we’ve made
ston Groom’s novel, “For- Chaddha.” with so much love and care
rest Gump,” is the tale of a Associated Press and it’s been such a chal-
slow-witted but mathemat- lenging film to make. The
ically gifted man who wit- to get the movie rights. But is like a Golgappa: your me, doing an audition for whole journey has been dif-
nesses key points and fig- big changes were made stomach gets full, but your the part is perfectly natu- ficult but exciting and fun.”
ures of U.S. history, like the to root “Laal Singh Chad- heart desires more,’” ex- ral because even I want to A lot of that journey was
Vietnam War, presidents dha” in Indian history and plains Khan. see how close I am to the spent sprinting towards the
and Elvis Presley. culture, with both the Kar- He says writer Atul Kulkarni character. So we’re not finish line — and he “ran a
Nearly 30 years later, the gil war and superstar Shah was adapting what was really testing to see that a lot,’’ Khan says.
story has been given an Rukh Khan appearing. “essentially American” into person can act or not, but “For a month and a half we
Indian makeover — with Laal does not think life is something “quintessentially really how suitable the per- were traveling across the
Khan taking on the role of like a box of chocolates, Indian and very relevant to son is for the part. But that’s country, and each place
the titular character “Laal he instead likes to quote us culturally.” something which is very un- we went to I just was run-
Singh Chaddha’’ — in- his mother talking about Directed by Advait Chan- usual in India.” ning, and Advait as a di-
cluding converting the Golgappas - small circles of dan, “Laal Singh Chad- Another huge star who rector was quite heartless.
line “Run, Forrest, run” into filled, deep-fried flatbread dha” also stars Kareena makes a small but impor- He would start a shot and
“Run, Laal, run.” enjoyed with spiced water, Kapoor Khan, Mona Singh tant appearance in the he would be in the car, and
“I just remember seeing it which has a slightly differ- and Naga Chaitanya. movie is legendary Indian there would be a camera
a couple of times in a short ent meaning than the origi- Khan says he asked Kapoor actor Shah Rukh Khan. No in the car, and I would be
span, and it had a deep nal motto. Khan, who’s had a success- audition needed, as he’s running and the car would
impact on me, Khan says “(Forrest says) ‘my momma ful career for more than portraying himself. be just driving, and it would
“I loved the character of used to say life is like a box two decades, to try out for “We were trying to look for be a few kilometers by the
Forrest. I loved the way Tom of chocolates: you never the pivotal role of Laal’s an equivalent to Elvis Pres- time he said cut.”
played the part as well. know which one you would friend, Rupa D’souza. ley in America. And I think “Laal Singh Chaddha” re-
And it’s a film that stayed get.’ And in this one, the “She’s such a huge star for us, it was an obvious leases in India, Germany,
with me.” English translation is, ‘My and she’s never auditioned choice to go for Shah Rukh, France, Singapore, the U.K.
It took a decade for Khan mama used to say that life for a part in her life. But for because he’s such a huge and the U.S. on Thursday.q

Review: Rough-start novel with redemptive,

touching finish

daughter up for adoption at 19. shards sooner or later. The whole rooted to a foreign land, Mika’s
Emiko Jean’s latest novel, “Mika time you’re thinking of ways for own experiences that led to her
in Real Life,” takes place as Mika Mika to come clean because it’s being pregnant and giving up art,
takes on a major transformation, the only and obvious solution from and Penny’s pursuit of identity as
starting with reconnecting with the start. Mika’s reasons for lying in a Japanese American raised by
her daughter, Penny. Eventually, the first place are not particularly white parents in Ohio.
Mika has to confront the events compelling anyway. The Mika of the second half of the
that led her to being a hopelessly Fortunately, that train wreck only book makes for far more pleasant
single, constantly laid-off disap- takes about a third of the book company. She isn’t perfect but
pointment to her mother, and before moving on to greener pas- has a semblance of balance in
figure out how to have a relation- tures. The novel picks up when her life and strives to be someone
ship with her own child whom she Jean reveals Mika in real life — not and do something.
hasn’t spoken to since the day just a Mika that’s honest, but one For the first bit, “Mika in Real Life”
Penny was born. In an effort to not that is a better, rounder charac- relies on its interesting premise to
look like such a loser, Mika begins ter. She’s more believable. drag readers through flat predict-
This image released by William weaving a tapestry of lies to cre- When Mika decides to be honest ability and buckshot-style writing
Morrow shows “Mika in Real Life” by ate the life of Mika 2.0; who she with herself and others, she be- that turns everything into an op-
Emiko Jean. wants to be and maybe could gins to process her life. “Mika in portunity for flashbacks and expo-
Associated Press have been. Mika gives her life an Real Life” explores universal issues sition. But I’m grateful for Jean’s
By DONNA EDWARDS undeserved glow-up that will cer- — like finding happiness and the tenacity, because it’s worth wad-
Associated Press tainly blow up in her face. It’s hard challenges of being a parent — ing through the rough start to get
Mika Suzuki is a directionless, to enjoy when things are going as well as nuanced ones, like the the novel’s redemptive, touching
35-year-old Japanese woman right for Mika because you know Suzuki family’s particular strains ending. “Mika in Real Life” has
with a big secret: She gave her all the sugar glass will splinter into of trauma: her mother being up- heart, and it touched mine.q