Indian ‘Forrest Gump’ Remake Starring Aamir Khan Delays To 2021 As Production Shifts To Turkey

Laal Singh Chaddha, the Hindi-language Forrest Gump remake starring Indian megastar Aamir Khan, is moving production to Turkey after a delay due to the pandemic.

Ajit Andhare, COO at producer Viacom18 Studios, took to Twitter to confirm that the pic would still be releasing for Christmas… but 2021 rather than the originally planned 2020 date, which is no longer doable due to the coronavirus disruption.

More from Deadline

• Aamir Khan To Remake 'Forrest Gump' For India

• Aamir Khan's 'Secret Superstar' Tops $100M In China; Salman Khan's 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' Is Next Test For Bollywood

• 'Secret Superstar' Trailer: Aamir Khan Inspires A Young Singer To Rise

The project halted filming in India’s Punjab region back in March as the virus caused a wide shutdown of production. Now, it appears Turkey is going to be the location to stage the rest of the shoot, with local media reporting that Khan is in the country ahead of resuming. India is still grappling with widespread virus cases and an upward curve.

Local broadcaster NDTV reported the Turkey news, adding that it was the second major Indian feature to be gearing up to resume an international shoot after Akshay Kumar’s Bell Bottom, which is preparing to film in Glasgow, with its cast jetting into the Scottish city in the last few days.

Earlier this year, pictures were posted online of Khan in full Forrest Gump-style costume:

Laal Singh Chaddha was first unveiled last year, with Viacom18 Motion Pictures producing alongside Aamir Khan Films and Paramount having licensed the rights. Advait Chandan, who previously directed Khan in Secret Superstar, is helming the pic, which is not a direct remake but will transpose events from the 1994 Oscar-winning movie to India, tying it in with local historical events.

Best of Deadline

• U.S. Coronavirus Update: New Cases Break Record 70,000 For The First Time; Infections Up 40% Since Early July

• Coronavirus: Movies That Have Halted Or Delayed Production Amid Outbreak

• Hong Kong Filmart Postponed Due To Coronavirus Fears; Event Moves Two Weeks Before Toronto

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.