Throwback to when Robert Downey Jr called Aamir Khan “Tom Hanks or India”

Robert Downey had once praised Indian superstar, Aamir Khan’s ‘Lagaan’ and said he was extraordinary.

Robert Downey Jr is known for essaying the role of Tony Stark and Iron Man in MCU movies. Aamir Khan, the Bollywood superstar, was once lavished with praise by him, particularly for his 2001 Oscar-nominated epic sports drama Lagaan.

In a conversation with Bombay Times in 2010, Robert said, “I happened to see Lagaan and believe Aamir Khan was extraordinary. India is a land waiting to happen for me and I would love to visit it as soon as I get a chance. All that comes to mind when I hear of this country is diversity, vibrancy, and Bollywood.”

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He also reportedly referred to him as the “Tom Hanks of India.” Surprisingly, Aamir will play Laal Singh Chaddha in the Hindi remake of Tom Hanks’ Oscar-winning Forrest Gump.

It wouldn’t come as a surprise to know that Downey Jr is not the only fan of Lagaan in Hollywood or even MCU. James Gunn, who directed the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ films for Marvel Studios, also stated that it is probably one of his favourite Indian films as he responded to a Twitter user’s question.

‘Lagaan’ was co-written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, the film was a blockbuster across the world and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also accepted the film as one of the best foreign films of the year but it lost to ‘No Man’s Land’.