Turkish Envoy Firat Sunel Declares Aamir Khan as His Favorite After Viewing ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ Four Times

1 April 2024

The official representative of Turkey in India Firat Sunel is an avid enthusiast of Bollywood films, particularly the movie “Laal Singh Chaddha” starring Aamir Khan.

The ambassador claims to have viewed this film on a minimum of four occasions.

According to Sunel, the authorized version of the Hollywood blockbuster “Forrest Gump” titled “Laal Singh Chaddha” was more successful than the original 1994 movie with Tom Hanks.

The 2022 film garnered a combination of unfavorable and negative reviews, accompanied by demands for boycott on social media. This seemed to have adversely affected its performance at the movie office.

“I have a strong admiration for Bollywood films, and Aamir Khan is my preferred actor.” I have viewed the film ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ on a minimum of four occasions.

This is a rendition of the movie ‘Forrest Gump’. “In my opinion, this movie is more successful than the original,” Sunel stated in an interview with PTI.

“Bollywood movies provide an insight into the Indian lifestyle and cultural background.” “The increasing success of Bollywood can be attributed to the extensive knowledge gained about India and its people,” he remarked.

The envoy noted that the film “Laal Singh Chaddha”, which was also filmed in Turkiye, brought to his attention the numerous parallels between Indian and Turkish culture.

Sunel elucidated his argument by discussing the initial sequence of the film, in which the eponymous protagonist, portrayed by Khan, is depicted on a train distributing golgappas to his fellow passengers before indulging in one himself.

“This scene is customary for both you and me, as it is a long-standing tradition.” In Turkey, it is customary to provide food to others in close proximity before to consuming it.

However, if a someone in America were to view this film, they would likely struggle to comprehend its content.

“They would assume that he offered the food to other people because he is not intelligent.” Perhaps the reason I find myself so intrigued by the movies here is because I notice several parallels between our societies,” he stated.

Sunel, who is also a highly successful writer, considers adaptations to be a risky endeavor due to the numerous problems faced by the creator in preserving the original essence of the work.

“When you author a novel, it has the potential to be read by thousands or even tens of thousands of individuals.” However, if it is transformed into a series or film, the quantity escalates to millions, and in some cases, even tens of millions.

In order to expand your audience, it is crucial that your novel is adapted into a television series or film. “However,” he clarified, “there are losses or alterations in the process of translating a book to the screen.”

The 58-year-old ambassador expressed his dissatisfaction with the Turkish TV series “The Great Exile Caucasia”, which was based on his novel “In the Shade of the Weeping Willows” (Turkish title Salkim Sogutlerin Golgesinde”). He stated that he was not completely satisfied with it.

“If you, as an author, are unwilling to accept all the changes, I would advise against pursuing this endeavor.” “Once the filmmaker is involved, your responsibility as an author concludes,” he appended.

Sunel expressed his desire for “The Lighthouse Family,” his freshly translated Turkish novel “Sarpincik Feneri,” to be made into a film.

Buy the book here:

“The Lighthouse Family” has the potential to be adapted in India as well. The book also pertains to Indian households. They would appreciate it; this would result in a poignant film.

“Indian audiences, similar to Turkish audiences, appreciate books or movies that evoke strong emotional responses, particularly ones that elicit tears. This book falls into that category.” It is adaptable in any country, including India and Western countries. If someone is interested, why not? He made an addition.

“The Lighthouse Family” is a poignant narrative that takes place against the backdrop of the Second World War.

The exquisitely narrated historical fiction revolves around an affectionate family residing in a remote lighthouse situated at the westernmost point of Turkiye. Their lives are torn asunder by the repercussions of a war that was not even their own.

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