The story starts with Laal Singh Chaddha, narrating his life story to a group of strangers on a train. Laal Singh, who was born in 1977, has a curved spine and is fitted with leg braces. Despite his disabilities, Laal is encouraged by his mother to live beyond his limitations. Laal meets a girl named Rupa on his first day at school, and the two become best friends. When Laal's leg braces come off while he is running away from a group of bullies, he realizes that he is a fast runner. Rupa's father is arrested by the police for killing her mother, and Rupa is sent to live with her grandmother, who used to work at Laal's house. Laal and Rupa's friendship grows, and they become inseparable.
During the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Laal and his mother go to stay with his aunt to be safe. There, he meets a young Shah Rukh Khan and teaches him dance steps and poses that he would later use in his films. To save Laal from the rioters, his mother cuts off his long hair and removes his turban to hide his identity as a Sikh. Laal's mother sends him and Rupa to Hindu College in Delhi. Laal takes part in track and field, and Rupa starts taking part in modeling competitions, as she dreams of becoming a model in Mumbai and becoming rich. Later, Laal joins the army, where he meets Balaraju Bodi, aka Bala, who wants to start an undergarment business. They both decide to start an undergarment-manufacturing company together, once they leave the army. Rupa goes to Mumbai to pursue her dreams.
In 1999, the Kargil War breaks out between India and Pakistan. Laal and Bala were in the same battalion. Rupa had told Laal to start running as soon as his life was in danger. When the Pakistani soldiers had an advantage, Laal runs, but realizes that Bala is left behind. He goes back, but every time he goes back, he finds another soldier who is injured and asks for help. He also saves a Pakistani commander, not knowing he was the enemy. He could not save Bala, leaving him heartbroken, but is awarded a medal by the Indian Government for saving five soldiers.
Rupa never responded to any letters that Laal sent her. She had become the mistress of a gangster who took advantage of her and lied to her about fulfilling her dreams. Laal goes to meet her and sees the gangster slap her; Laal responds angrily by beating him up. Laal says that he loves Rupa, but she tells him that they have no future together and that he should forget her. Laal suddenly sees Mohammed Paaji, the Pakistani commander he had saved during the war. The two strike a friendship, and Mohammed loves him for his purity and innocence, also feeling guilty of his violent acts of terrorism.
In 2014, Laal Singh Chaddha is on a train to Hyderabad and shares his story with fellow passengers. He talks about how he reunited with Rupa and how she has a son who has been taking care of her. Laal himself has a son who he doesn't see often as he is studying in the US. He also reveals that he has a box of chocolates, which he intends to give to Rupa as it was her favorite treat. When he arrives in Hyderabad, he meets Rupa's son who tells him that his mother passed away a few months earlier. Laal is heartbroken but gives the box of chocolates to Rupa's son as a token of their friendship.
The film ends with Laal looking at the horizon as he watches a flock of birds fly away. The film's message is that life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. Laal's story is one of triumph over adversity and the power of love and friendship. The film is a faithful adaptation of the original source material and is an entertaining watch for audiences.
In terms of the film's production, Laal Singh Chaddha had a tumultuous journey. The film was in development for over two decades, with Atul Kulkarni spending the first ten years adapting the script and another ten years purchasing the remake rights. Aamir Khan bought the rights in 2018 with the help of Radhika Chaudhari, a Los Angeles-based producer and director. Principal photography began in October 2019 and concluded in September 2021, after multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was initially scheduled for release in 2020 but was delayed multiple times due to the pandemic. It was finally released on 11 August 2022 and received mostly positive reviews from critics.
One of the film's highlights is its soundtrack, composed by Pritam and written by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The songs are catchy and add to the emotional depth of the film. The background score, composed by Tanuj Tiku, is also effective in building tension and emotion in the film. The film's cinematography is also impressive, with more than 100 locations being used for filming. The film's direction by Advait Chandan is competent, and he manages to keep the film engaging despite its long runtime.
However, the film has also received criticism for Aamir Khan's performance. While Khan is known for his acting chops, his portrayal of Laal Singh Chaddha has been criticized for being too restrained and lacking the charisma that made Tom Hanks' portrayal of Forrest Gump so memorable. The film's box office performance has also been disappointing, with it failing to recoup its ₹180 crore budget in its first week of release.
In conclusion, Laal Singh Chaddha is an entertaining film that adapts its source material effectively. The film's production was plagued by delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was finally released in August 2022 to mostly positive reviews. While the film's soundtrack and cinematography are impressive, Aamir Khan's performance has been criticized for being too restrained. The film's message of triumph over adversity and the power of love and friendship resonates with audiences, making it an enjoyable watch.