Lessons from Laal Singh Chaddha!

Laal Singh Chaddha is a beautiful movie. 

There are several history lessons in it. 

Riots are shown at ground level. You watch, with horror, the use of a tyre as a burning necklace to kill people. You experience the fear and the terror of ordinary citizens.

It showed the venality of politicians.

Throughout the 75 years of our history, they have ignited riot after riot in pursuit of vote banks. Our leaders have pursued division among the people with a zeal bordering on the maniacal. 

You see the beauty and charm of the guileless Laal. 

Laal Singh reminds us how quickly we lose our childhood innocence. We turn into rough, hard-hearted and cynical people.

It shows the power of a mother’s love. And how she can transform the life of a disabled son. A study of human history has shown that most of the great achievers enjoyed the unrelenting love of their mothers. 

It shows the power of patience. Laal Singh waited and waited before he finally won over his lady love, Rupa. 

The movie reminds us that death is always a part of life. 

The film reveals the humanity of people. It is easy to hate when people are abstract concepts, like ‘He is a Muslim’. But they are as human as you are. 

Laal Singh tells us that God is within us. Which is why we don’t need religion. 

It showed the immense contributions of Punjabis to the Indian Army over several generations. 

When Laal Singh runs through the length and breadth of the country, you realise how beautiful this nation is. Every state feels like an independent country, with its own culture, food habits, and mores. 

Once, Rupa asked him about his experiences in Kargil. Laal Singh focused on how beautiful the Himalayas looked at night. It was an invaluable lesson: to look at the beauty instead of the darkness. We always look at the negative. 

It was a film which reminded us of the beautiful concept of unity in diversity, now under ferocious attack. 

Laal Singh showed how sworn enemies can become lifelong friends. 

Although we don’t see it, the production team took an immense effort in the film's making. 

As a sign of the polarised times we live in, the disclaimer at the beginning, in English and Hindi, was about 25 lines long. There was a commentary accompanying it. 

During earlier, calmer times, the disclaimer was one line long. 

As a newspaper article mentioned, Aamir Khan is one of the greatest story-tellers of his generation. We should cherish and support him and not abuse him because he is a Muslim. 

Don’t miss Laal Singh Chaddha!