The internet is in an absolute frenzy, and the cause of all the commotion is the unexpected, yet undeniably hilarious, comparison between Brad Pitt’s highly anticipated Formula 1 film, simply titled ‘F1’, and the 2007 Bollywood classic, Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji’s ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’. Social media platforms are flooded with memes, jokes, and comment threads that have fans roaring with laughter, with even ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’ director Siddharth Anand getting in on the fun.
Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’, which premiered recently and has been lauded for its thrilling realism and immersive racing sequences, sees the Hollywood superstar play Sonny Hayes, a former F1 prodigy who makes a comeback in his 50s to help a struggling team. The film has garnered significant critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of the racing world, partly due to being shot during actual Grand Prix weekends and featuring cameos from real F1 drivers like Lewis Hamilton.
However, for a significant portion of the Indian audience, the plot premise struck a familiar chord, immediately evoking memories of Siddharth Anand’s ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’. Released in 2007, this Bollywood drama featured Saif Ali Khan as RV, a promising car racer whose career is derailed by a devastating accident, forcing him and his family to navigate immense financial and emotional challenges before his eventual redemption.
The similarities, while perhaps coincidental, have proven too tempting for netizens to ignore. The core narrative of a talented racer facing adversity, hitting rock bottom, and then striving for a triumphant return, has become the bedrock of countless witty comparisons. Fans are pointing out how both films showcase a protagonist making a comeback in the high-stakes world of racing, often with a young, hotshot co-driver, and a family grappling with the emotional and financial fallout.
One popular sentiment circulating online is, “F1 this, F1 that… this was my F1!”, alongside images of Saif Ali Khan from ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’. Another user humorously tweeted, “F1 movie is basically Ta Ra Rum Pum in English with same plot as driver once who was top of his game becomes taxi driver and struggles but later does the comeback!” Some are even suggesting, with tongue firmly in cheek, that ‘F1’ is a “copy” or “remake” of the Bollywood film, while others are championing ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’ as being “better” or having “more emotion.”
The hilarity reached a new peak when Siddharth Anand himself acknowledged the ongoing comparisons. The director took to X (formerly Twitter) with a playful tweet, simply stating, “TaRaRumPum you lovely beast!”, a clear nod to the unexpected resurgence of his film in public discourse. This subtle endorsement only added fuel to the meme fire, delighting fans and spurring on even more creative content.
While the plots have their distinct nuances – ‘F1’ is set in the world of Formula 1, while ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’ focused on NASCAR – the overarching themes have undeniably resonated with audiences, leading to this unexpected and highly entertaining online phenomenon. The comment sections under news articles and social media posts are a goldmine of comedic observations, showcasing the internet’s ability to find common ground and humor in unexpected places.
As Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ continues its run in theaters, and ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’ finds renewed attention on streaming platforms, it’s clear that the “greatest racing rivalry” of the year isn’t on the track, but rather in the delightful and often uproarious comment threads across the internet.