Naga Chaitanya, renowned for his diverse roles and Bollywood debut alongside Aamir Khan in “Laal Singh Chaddha,” remains resolute in his support for the film despite its underwhelming reception at the box office. In an exclusive interview with India Today, the actor expressed unwavering satisfaction with his involvement in the project, emphasizing the invaluable experience gained from collaborating with Aamir Khan.
Reflecting on the film’s performance, Chaitanya addressed the queries regarding potential regrets, stating emphatically, “If you want me to play a Dhootha and predict that the film (Laal Singh Chaddha) wouldn’t have worked, and (then ask me), will you do it? I would still do it because there is so much I took away from that film and working with Aamir sir. No regrets at all. I am so happy that I did it.”
“Laal Singh Chaddha,” directed by Advait Chandan, serves as the Hindi adaptation of the iconic Hollywood masterpiece “Forrest Gump,” originally portrayed by Tom Hanks. Despite its promising premise, the film faced challenges upon its release on August 11, 2022, failing to capitalize on the extended holiday weekend encompassing Raksha Bandhan and Independence Day.
Controversy swirled around the film even before its release, with boycott calls stemming from resurfaced social media content related to Aamir Khan’s 2015 interview. The actor’s remarks about the perceived ‘growing intolerance’ in India, as suggested by his then-wife Kiran Rao, triggered backlash and initiated a trend against “Laal Singh Chaddha.”
Away from the big screen, Naga Chaitanya made a recent appearance in the Prime Video series “Dhootha.” His portrayal in the show has been commended for breaking away from his established ‘good boy’ persona. The Hindustan Times review noted, “Dhootha gives Naga Chaitanya the chance to do something he hasn’t before – shed his ‘good boy’ image. His character is deliciously layered, flawed and borderline unlikable, something he makes the most of. His performance might not always land, but he keeps you invested in most of the episodes that require him to do the heavy-lifting.”
Despite the mixed reception of “Laal Singh Chaddha” and the subsequent challenges it faced, Naga Chaitanya remains steadfast in his admiration for the experience and learning acquired from being part of the ambitious Bollywood project. His dedication to exploring diverse roles, evident in his recent endeavors, continues to solidify his position as an actor unafraid to venture beyond the confines of conventional character portrayals.
Sources By Agencies
