‘Laal Singh Chaddha’: Hazel-eyed Kashmiri child actor steals the show, performance gets rave reviews

Srinagar: ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ may have run into controversies but the performance of Ahmad Ibn Umar, who plays the young Aamir Khan in the much-awaited Bollywood flick, is getting rave reviews.

Kashmir-based Ahmad had remained in the news after he was spotted in the promos of ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ and now his family is elated after the release of the film.

Talking to the Kashmir Monitor, the child actor’s father Umer Maqbool said they were elated over the response.

“We are elated that his performance has been appreciated. Social media is full of Ahmad’s videos and reviews where his performance has been appreciated. We are also getting so many phone calls from outside where people are appreciating his performance,” Umer said.

He said several film producers were also calling him for more assignments for his son.

“Besides ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’, Ahmad had acted in Salman Khan starrer ‘Notebook’ and has also completed shooting for yet-to-be-released South Indian flick ‘Kushi’ that stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Vijay Deverakonda. We are receiving calls from top Bollywood presently as his performance in ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ is getting reviews,” he said.

Umer’s comments can be ratified by the reviews of ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ in the national media.

“….Ahmad Ibn Umar, who plays young Laal is one of the finest performers in the movie. He shines like a star and his innocence reflects beautifully, just what Laal needed. Aamir as Laal does a great job, and while the mannerisms might take a while to get frequented to, he has added ample of his elements to the character for it to stand out,” reads a review of the film by zoomtventertainment.com.

A review of ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ by indiaforums.com called Ahmad an ‘absolute freaking scene stealer’.

“….Manav Vij as Mohammad gets a lot to do here unlike his previous roles and he delivers but the absolute freaking scene stealer of Laal Singh Chaddha has to be Ahmad Ibn Umar. The 10-year-old is undoubtedly the best thing about the film when it maneuvers around the story of little Laal. His gorgeousness, innocence, hazel eyes, and radiant presence are enough to have you rooting for Laal instantly,” it said.

The review of the Hindustan Times said Ahmad had a ‘pleasant screen presence.

“….Laal’s timeline from being a kid to a teenager does look a bit off at times and he appears to be the same age and height for many years. However, the child actor (Ahmad Ibn Umar), who plays young Laal is so cute and has such a pleasant screen presence,” it said.