One of my favorite movies as a kid - oddly enough - was director Robert Zemeckis's Forrest Gump starring Tom Hanks. It's been a few years since I last saw the film but I'm sure I'd still find it to be delightful to this day. And so today's news has me smiling ear-to-ear as we just got our first look at the official upcoming Bollywood remake of Forrest Gump starring Aamir Khan.

The Hindi language remake, going by the title Laal Singh Chaddha, is currently filming and is all set to be released come Christmas 2020. It is co-produced by Viacom18 Studios and Aamir Khan Productions, directed by Advait Chandan (Secret Superstar), and also stars big-time Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan. Like the original American film, this remake will center on a simple man who has an uncanny ability to be present at history-changing events. Albeit, I assume, history-changing events in India.

Now if you're like me you might be wondering what, let's say, Paramount thinks of Bollywood remaking one of their classic films. And you might be as surprised as I was to find out that the powers that be behind the scenes are all but tickled pink by their movie getting the Bollywood treatment. In fact, earlier this year, when the remake was first announced, Paramount COO Andrew Gumpert said:

"We're thrilled to be in business with Aamir Khan Productions and Viacom18 Studios, and to see them bringing this timeless story to a whole new generation of audiences."

Huh. That's an awfully nice stance for Paramount to take in the matter. But maybe they were won over by Viacom18 Studios COO Ajit Andhare's comments on the remake earlier this year when he said:

"Knowing Aamir's burning passion for this subject for many years, he is the perfect partner to bring to life this dream."

"Burning passion," you say? Well, as much as the idea of a Forrest Gump Bollywood remake might put a pause in my step, far be it from me to talk bad about someone finally getting to live out their dream. More power to you, Aamir Khan! And let's not forget that Robert Zemeckis's Forrest Gump isn't by any means the first hit Hollywood motion picture to get the Bollywood remake treatment. While there have been tons in the past some notable remakes include OldBoy, Reservoir Dogs, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Godfather, The Silence of the Lambs, When Harry Met Sally, Memento, American Beauty, Bruce Almighty, Léon: The Professional, Talladega Nights, Three Men and a Baby, and Zemeckis's own Back to the Future.

And it doesn't look as if the Bollywood remake train is planning on slowing down anytime soon. In fact, just this year we can also expect to see remakes of films such as Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive starring Ryan Gosling, Ted Kotcheff's Rambo aka First Blood starring Sylvester Stallone, and Josh Boone's The Fault in Our Stars starring Shailene Woodley. Meanwhile, this first look at Advait Chandan's Forrest Gump remake starring Aamir Khan comes to us from The Hollywood Reporter.

Forrest Gump Bollywood remake poster