movie review : 3 Idiots (2009)

With its basic plot derived from a best selling Indian book, director Raju Hirani couldn’t have asked for more. This man with brains is real smart. And combining himself with producer Vidhu Chopra is an icing on the cake. The duo have in the very recent past delivered two of the biggest hits Indian cinema has seen. An apt title coupled with some fine actors was enough to pull the crowds even more.

poster

As was with the book (read Five Point Someone) the movie revolves around three main characters – Ranchoddas Chanchad aka Rancho (Aamir Khan), Farhan (Madhavan) and Raju Rastogi (Sharman). The movie begins about 10 years after the characters have finished their engineering. I can relate to their sorrow. I know how it is to become an engineer. The lead in the movie Rancho is lost somewhere and even after 10 years the other two friends do not know of his whereabouts. For a reason they set off to Shimla to search him. Shimla has been very beautifully captured. On their way to Shimla we have a flashback.

Cut to Imperial College of Engineering. Headed by a relentless dean played by Boman Irani (Viru Sahastrabudhhe – Virus), this college is where it all begins. The college flashback sequence takes you through some hilarious scenes. Most notable one being the balatkar speech made by this character Chatur Ramalingam (Omi). This newcomer playing Chatur is promising and makes an impact. Even Raju’s poverty and his paralysed father provide for a couple of laughs. Before we are forced to take a break for pop-corns we are left with a question that builds the other side of interval. Don’t go for this movie expecting the book to be replicated because you will be majorly surprised. Here we have suspense too, and you do not want me to reveal it.

As for me, the three lead characters with an engineering college are the only main things that have been borrowed from the book. A couple of other things like hospitalising Raju, Raju‘s poor family remind you of the novel. Not to forget Bhagat never married his girlfriend from this book. Sob sob.

“scooter has more footage !”

Second half again juggles between present day and flashback. The two friends are still in search of their buddy Rancho and along the way they pick up his girlfriend Pia (Kareena) who was getting married on the same day. I knew this would happen. Anyways talking about Kareena she has been wasted as a pre-medical student who happens to be the dean’s daughter and falls for Rancho. You want to see more of her but are let down. How they end up finding Rancho brings us to the predictable climax.

Talking about the actors in the movie, as is known anything said about Aamir is always less because this perfectionist can play anyone or for that matter anything. He can convince you by playing a boulder. Because emotions talk. His role as Rancho takes you to his Dil Chahta Hai days where he played a 20-something, just that this time he looks younger ! Madhavan and Sharman have done their bits. They couldn’t have been better. As for Kareena we could have done without her. All the other vital roles have been played convincingly by polished actors, be it Boman playing the dean, Parikshit Sahni playing Farhan‘s father or Mona Singh playing Pia‘s sis.

Other important aspects for me include the music, lyrics and background score. Shantanu Moitra binds the scenes together but he has delivered better. His music is well complemented by Swanand Kirkire’s simple and sensible lyrics.

the idiots

But watching Hirani’s third movie will leave you with the same kind of feeling as was with his first two films because when it comes to the emotional scenes its signature Hirani. His films always have some new concept which he tries to repeat throughout the movie so that the audience remembers that once they are out of the cinema hall. The attempt to popularise jaadu ki jhappi through his debut did work as was with gandhigiri through his second movie, this time around it is all izz well. The philosophy is, no matter how fucked you are do not worry because all izz well.

And does the movie live up to all the expectations. Yes, it somewhat does. The 3 Idiots do end up charming you. Watch the movie for some good wholesome entertainment.