Exclusive! Atul Kulkarni completed writing Laal Singh Chaddha script in 12-15 days: It's a very desi family film

Atul Kulkarni completed penning the script of Laal Singh Chaddha within 12-15 days, the actor revealed to OTTplay. He has adapted Forrest Gump for its Indian version. The movie stars Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan in the lead roles. Atul took us through the process of scriptwriting, how it fits into the Indian background and more.

Excerpts from the interview…

What gave you the idea of remaking Forrest Gump in India?

The entire process started about 14 years ago. Aamir Khan had produced Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. I went to his house for a party after the premiere. When we were discussing about which films we like, Forrest Gump came up. I left it at that. The next day, when I was supposed to fly for my outdoor shoot, it got cancelled. I had 12-15 days at my hand. I saw the Forrest Gump DVD and saw it again. When I watching the movie, there were flashes that came to my mind that if this character were Indian, born in a certain era, what all would he go through. I took notes and about an hour into the film, I felt like attempting writing the film. When I started writing from the first scene, I didn't know where was it going to go and whether I could complete the script. Within 10 days though, I completed the script and within the other two days, I completed the second and third draft of it. That's how the script was written.

People are apprehensive about foreign adaptations in India. There almost always is backlash. Were you expecting the same after Laal Singh Chaddha first promo released?

I did not see any backlash. The trailer was loved by everyone.

What do you personally feel about Aamir Khan's Punjabi accent in the film?

No, my Punjabi friends said that it's a perfect accent. The reactions I've got are fantastic.

Anybody else would think 1000 times before touching something as loved as Forrest Gump. What gave you that confidence where you felt that it will connect with Indian audiences too if you write a story for them?

You'll get your answer when you see the film. It is a completely desi, family film. It is for the entire family and is a completely Indian film. Of course, all the credit goes to Forrest Gump because it is such a great film but this is a completely independent film. It is impossible to completely translate Forrest Gump. You have to adapt it. As a team, we've been able to do it as close as we envisaged it to be. When I wrote the script and read it, I was sure Laal Singh Chaddha is a completely Indian version or adaptation which is an independent film.

There are so many cultures the character could have gone for. What made you think about a Punjabi particularly?

Again, the answer will be given once you see the film. If I start talking about it now, I'll be spilling a lot of beans. I don't want to give spoilers. There's a definite reason why this character is a Sikh. When you see the film, you'll understand why I'm saying so.

How did the gol gappa idea fit in?

When you're adapting something like this, you also adapt it philosophically. Gol gappa simile is such an Indian philosophical thing. The 135 crores who have eaten gol gappa will identify with this, that 'pet bhale hi bhar jaaye, mann nahi bharta.' His mother says life is like gol gappa and it is an adapted philosophy, which is why I call it a desi film because there can't be another simile than a gol gappa.

Has the film turned out exactly the way you thought or were there changes as the filming began? Would you like to talk about the changes?

It is almost the same. Of course, when you shoot it and are reading it, there are tweaks here-and-there but more-or-less it is almost the same script.

Your upcoming projects?

As a writer, I don't know. I call myself an expresser more than a writer. So, I don't know when I'll write a film script next. I keep on writing articles and my thoughts.

As an actor, the last two years have been fantastic because so many of my projects released - right from Bandish Bandits to City of Dreams and Rudra and all have done really well. In August, I'll start shooting for City of Dreams for Nagesh Kukunoor and a comedy show for Rohan Sippy.

Since you spoke about comedy, we are seeing so many stand-up comedy shows on OTT too. Have you ever thought about participating in it?

I've not thought about it. If an opportunity arises, I might think about it.