"Laal Singh Chaddha" (2022) Box Office Collection
"Laal Singh Chaddha" (2022) Box Office Collection |
Laal Singh Chaddha, directed by Advait Chandan and starring Aamir Khan in the titular role, was one of the most anticipated films of 2022, owing to its strong legacy as a Hindi remake of the iconic Hollywood film Forrest Gump (1994). The film, which also featured Kareena Kapoor Khan, Mona Singh, and Naga Chaitanya, followed the journey of Laal Singh Chaddha, a man with a low IQ who witnesses and influences some of the most significant events in Indian history. Despite Aamir Khan’s star power, the film faced a complex reception at the box office, both domestically and internationally.
On its opening day, Laal Singh Chaddha made ₹11 crore
(approximately $1.4 million) in India, which was considered a modest start for
a film with such high expectations. The opening was underwhelming, especially
given the anticipation surrounding the film, Aamir Khan’s return to the big
screen after four years, and the fact that the original Forrest Gump had
been a massive global success. The film’s box office performance was impacted
by several factors, including divisive audience reactions, criticism over the
film’s pacing, and a mixed reception regarding the adaptation of such a beloved
film for Indian audiences. Additionally, it faced significant competition from
other Bollywood and regional releases during the same period.
Despite decent audience appreciation in certain regions, Laal Singh
Chaddha struggled to pick up momentum after its opening weekend. By the end
of its first week, it had grossed around ₹50 crore (approximately $6 million)
in India. The film’s collections were further hampered by negative
word-of-mouth and the rising trend of digital streaming, as some viewers chose
to wait for its OTT release rather than watch it in theaters. Although the film
did reasonably well in markets with significant Indian diaspora populations,
such as North America and the UAE, its performance in India remained below
expectations. It grossed a total of around ₹90 crore (approximately $11
million) domestically by the end of its theatrical run.
In the end, Laal Singh Chaddha ended its box office run with a
total worldwide collection of approximately ₹135 crore (around $16 million),
which was considered a commercial failure in comparison to the budgets of
similar big-ticket Bollywood films. Despite the star power of Aamir Khan and
the film's attempts to present a thought-provoking story, it did not resonate
strongly with the majority of the audience. The film’s underperformance
highlighted the challenges of remaking a cult classic, and it sparked debate
over how to adapt iconic stories for different cultural contexts. While it was
praised for its heartfelt performances, particularly by Aamir Khan, Laal
Singh Chaddha ultimately struggled to meet the lofty box office
expectations surrounding it.