Mona Singh recently revealed the emotional turmoil she experienced following the box office failure of "Laal Singh Chaddha," starring Aamir Khan. In a recent interview, Singh recounted visiting Khan's house on the film's release day, accompanied by director Advait Chandan, and expressing her disappointment. Overwhelmed by the film's underperformance, Singh broke down in tears.
"We did meet on the day of the release. Advait was there, we had gone to Aamir's house. And I was crying, of course, I always begin to weep in such moments," Singh shared. She further explained that she felt immense pressure due to the industry's reliance on the opening Friday to determine a film's fate. "I was really like this is not done. That one Friday is the only day when people decide whether it's good and bad, that's so much pressure for anyone to take," she said.
Khan, however, offered a pragmatic perspective, telling her, "This is what the movie business is about, you get just one Friday to prove yourself". Despite the initial setback, Khan hosted a party to honor the cast and crew's hard work and dedication. Singh greatly admired this gesture, praising Khan for taking responsibility for the film's failure and for his resilience. "Aamir sir is the only actor who could throw a party after a flop to honor everyone's efforts," she stated.
"Laal Singh Chaddha," a remake of the 1994 American film "Forrest Gump," faced mixed reviews and failed to meet box office expectations upon its release on August 11, 2022. The film, directed by Advait Chandan and written by Atul Kulkarni, starred Aamir Khan in the titular role, alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan, Naga Chaitanya, and Mona Singh. While some critics lauded the film's emotional core and performances, others criticized its slow pacing and excessive length.
Singh played the role of Laal Singh's mother in the movie, and while some criticised the casting choice, she received appreciation for her portrayal. Looking back, Singh acknowledged that the film's commercial failure initially bothered her. However, she remained confident that the film would eventually find its audience, especially with its release on OTT platforms.
Her prediction came true when "Laal Singh Chaddha" was released on Netflix and received an outpouring of love and warmth from viewers. "And that's what exactly happened, when it released digitally, people were suddenly so full of love and warmth and understood what the values the film was talking about and just the simplicity it had. So I think later it got its due and life," Singh explained.
Moreover, Singh believes that "Laal Singh Chaddha" has significantly boosted her career. "All the work that I have been doing for the last two years, is because of Laal Singh Chaddha," she stated. She added that the film's success on OTT led to more diverse opportunities and a willingness from filmmakers to explore varied roles with her. Singh also appreciates Aamir Khan's intelligence and clarity. She feels fortunate to have worked with him in "3 Idiots" and "Laal Singh Chaddha".
Despite the initial disappointment, Mona Singh has come to appreciate the journey of "Laal Singh Chaddha" and the valuable lessons it taught her about the film industry and the importance of resilience.
