Firat Sunel, the Turkish Ambassador to India, has expressed his admiration for Bollywood movies, particularly praising Aamir Khan’s film “Laal Singh Chaddha,” which he claims to have watched at least four times.
Sunel considers the Bollywood remake of “Forrest Gump” to be more successful than the original 1994 Hollywood movie. Despite mixed reviews and social media boycott calls affecting its box office performance, Sunel remains a staunch fan of the film.
In an interview with PTI, Sunel revealed his fondness for Bollywood cinema, singling out Aamir Khan as his favorite actor. He emphasized the educational value of Bollywood movies in understanding Indian culture and lifestyle.
Watching “Laal Singh Chaddha,” which was also filmed in Turkey, Sunel noted the similarities between Indian and Turkish cultures. He highlighted a scene from the movie where the protagonist offers food to fellow passengers on a train, a gesture mirroring Turkish tradition.
Sunel, a bestselling author himself, acknowledged the challenges of adapting novels into films or series, citing the importance of ensuring the essence of the story remains intact.
While not entirely satisfied with the adaptation of his novel “In the Shade of the Weeping Willows” into the Turkish TV series “The Great Exile Caucasia,” Sunel expressed interest in seeing his latest English-translated novel, “The Lighthouse Family,” adapted into a movie. He believes the emotional depth of the story would resonate with audiences worldwide, including in India.
“The Lighthouse Family” is a poignant narrative set against the backdrop of World War II, portraying the trials of a loving family torn apart by the ravages of war in a remote Turkish lighthouse.