Enraged emotions: 'Laal Singh Chadda' under fire for disrespecting Indian army

A Delhi-based lawyer is seeking for an FIR to be registered against star Aamir Khan and director Advait Chandan

Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chadda has found itself in the midst of more backlash fresh out of its release in cinemas on August 11. This time, a Delhi-based lawyer has filed a complaint to the police commissioner Sanjay Arora, seeking for an FIR to be registered against producer and star Khan, director Advait Chandan, and film distributor Paramount Pictures.

According to a report by ANI, advocate Vineet Jindal alleges that Khan’s film contains distasteful scenes that are “disrespecting the Indian Army and hurting Hindu sentiments.” Jindal specified the registration of an FIR under sections 153 (want only giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 298 (wounding the religious feelings of any person), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code.

Jindal’s complaint reads, “In the movie, the makers have depicted that a mentally challenged person was allowed to join the army to fight in the Kargil War. It is a well-known fact that the best army personnel, rigorously trained army personnel, were sent to fight the Kargil War but the movie makers intentionally depicted the said situation to demoralise and defame the Indian Army.”

The advocate also alleged that the film hurts religious sentiments, citing a scene where a Pakistan personnel asked Laal Singh Chaddha about prayer. “I offer Namaz and pray, Laal, why don't you do the same?" Chadda, played by Khan, replied, “My mother said all this puja paath is malaria. It causes riots.” The complaint claims the dialogue is defamatory towards the entire Hindu community as it not only provokes sentiments but also causes “enraged emotions among the Hindu religion followers.”

“This statement shows his intent of waging war and activating enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, which is against the ideology of a secular democratic country like India, and also mischief against the Indian Army which is a criminal offence as per the law of the land,” Jindal said.

Former England cricketer Monty Panesar shared Jindal’s sentiments about the film on Twitter. “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 a total disgrace to Indian Armed Forces, Indian Army, and Sikhs! Disrespectful. Disgraceful,” Panesar tweeted, alongside a hashtag calling for the boycott of the film that has been making rounds online.

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

This news comes after Laal Singh Chadda pulled only 15% occupancy at the cinemas in India since its opening two days ago. The film, which is a remake of the 1994 Hollywood classic Forrest Gump, stars Khan in the titular role alongside Kareena Kapoor, Naga Chaitanya and Mona Singh.

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