Aamir Khan’s much-awaited film Laal Singh Chaddha is already struggling at the box office amidst poor reviews and boycott calls from all over India, now it looks like the boycott calls have gone global as well. Former England international cricketer Monty Panesar has now asked everyone to boycott the film over its portrayal of the Indian Army and the Sikhs.
Comparing Aamir Khan’s portrayal of Laal Singh Chaddha to Tom Hanks’ Forrest Gump, the left arm spinner wrote, “Forrest Gump fits in the US Army because the US was recruiting low IQ men to meet requirements for the Vietnam War. This movie is total disgrace to India Armed Forces Indian Army and Sikhs !! Disrespectful. Disgraceful.”
Forrest Gump fits in the US Army because the US was recruiting low IQ men to meet requirements for the Vietnam War. This movie is total disgrace to India Armed Forces Indian Army and Sikhs !!Disrespectful. Disgraceful. #BoycottLalSinghChadda pic.twitter.com/B8P2pKjCEs
— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) August 10, 2022
Monty Panesar further shared the number of honours won by Sikhs who have served in the Indian Army, and called Aamir Khan’s portrayal as disgraceful and disrespectful.
1 Padma Vibhushan,
— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) August 10, 2022
1 Padma Bhushan,
21 Indian Order of Merits,
14 Victoria Crosses,
2 Param Vir Chakras,
4 Ashoka Chakras,
8 Maha Vir Chakras,
24 Kirti Chakras,
64 Vir Chakras,
55 Shaurya Chakras,
375 Sena Medals,#BoycottLalSinghChadda
However, Monty’s opinion on the film didn’t go down well with everyone as several people, led by Islamists, descended upon his mentions to troll him for giving this boycott call.
For some reason, Monty Panesar was immediately linked to the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party of India by some of them for finding Aamir Khan’s portrayal disrespectful.
Sasta baagga
— Rahib Khan (@ItzzNapier) August 10, 2022
Have tou joined @BJP4India IT cell for 5/- per tweet
— Zumaad (@mak0511mak) August 11, 2022
मॉन्टी भाई, ना ही आपको परम चक्र मिलेगा या ना ही राज्य सभा.
— Hasnain S.M. (@hasnain_civil) August 11, 2022
हा भक्त चक्र जरूर मिलेगा।
While there were others who began attacking him saying that Monty Panesar is only giving a boycott call for the film because he wants to work in India in future.
India me kaam chahiye….? 🤣
— SAIF Ak (@SAIFAk9) August 11, 2022
There was the inevitable questioning of Monty’s credentials as a bowler, even though he was not even talking about cricket.
Monty we know you as a disaster bowler. if you think politics is your new home. then please come to India.
— Asif Iquabal (@asifiquabal) August 11, 2022
Poor start for Laal Singh Chaddha at the box office
As of Wednesday morning, or T-1, just 30,000 tickets for the Aamir Khan-starring movie had been sold at the three national chains, PVR, Inox, and Cinepolis. In terms of all India sales, Laal Singh Chaddha sold approximately 57,000 tickets for the opening day.
In the national multiplex chains, Laal Singh Chaddha’s T-1 is almost 50% lower than Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and on par with Varun Dhawan’s Jug Jugg Jeeyo. Jug Jugg Jeeyo sold 57,000 tickets in the national chains, compared to Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’s 1.05 lakh sales across all three chains on opening day.
Noted film critic Taran Adarsh Today, put out a strongly worded tweet wherein he reviewed the latest Aamir Khan release in one word. “Disappoints,” Tweeted Taran Aadarsh giving the movie a two-star rating.
“#AamirKhan’s comeback vehicle #LSC runs out of fuel midway… Lacks a captivating screenplay to enthrall you [second half goes downhill]… Has some terrific moments, but lacks fire in totality,” Tweeted the movie critic.
#OneWordReview…#LaalSinghChaddha: DISAPPOINTS.
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) August 11, 2022
Rating: ⭐️⭐️#AamirKhan’s comeback vehicle #LSC runs out of fuel midway… Lacks a captivating screenplay to enthrall you [second half goes downhill]… Has some terrific moments, but lacks fire in totality. #LaalSinghChaddhaReview pic.twitter.com/rTuYfJT629
Monty Panesar is not the first one to call for a boycott of the film
Boycott calls against Aamir Khan’s Lal Singh Chaddha have mired the promotion of the big-budget movie that is the official remake of Tom Hanks’ classic Forrest Gump. Aamir Khan’s anti-India statements in the past, his negative and derogatory portrayal of Hindu Gods in his movie PK and his overtly political statements of the past have all been adding to the prevailing sentiments of rejection among the audience of Hindi cinema.
Even Kareena Kapoor’s past statements of mocking the audience and participating in politically motivated campaigns have stirred negative sentiments against the movie.
