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Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Rating:***
If anyone else had made ‘3 Idiots’, there would have been an immediate outpouring of hosannahs, because the ability to wrap an engaging story around an important message is a forgotten skill in most Hindi cinema. But this is from Rajkumar Hirani who brought back joy and sparkle to the movies. Both his ‘Munnabhai’ films are superb entertainers that you can watch any and all the time: I would, if I could, put both on a continuous loop, and swoop in for a taste whenever I felt like a dose of upbeat.
‘3 Idiots’ does not do as much for me. The emotional truth that shone through both the ‘Munnabhai’ movies doesn’t come through strongly enough: the artifice caused by a forty-something playing a twenty-something colours the film. Are there no capable twenty year olds in B town?
It’s based, very loosely, on Chetan Bhagat’s smash-hit ‘Five Point Someone’, which is about three friends who bond for life over shared blood, sweat and tears, in the way only those who go through professional colleges brimming with brutal deans and hellish exams, can. The kind of pressure-cooker college where kids who can’t handle the heat leap out of high windows, or hang themselves from fans in their hostel rooms.
Ranchodas Shyamaldas Chanchad aka Rancho (Aamir Khan), Raju Rastogi (Sharman Joshi) and Farhan Qureishi (R Madhavan) meet on a freshers’ night when new arrivals are being introduced to the ways of an elite engineering college.
Undies are being yanked down when Rancho walks in, escapes to his room and devises a devilish way out of the humiliation about to be heaped upon him. From then on, Rancho becomes their lodestar, both as an official getter-into-trouble, as well as the guy who will get them out of it. And then one day, just like that, he’s gone.
Rancho’s old mates set off on a quest, accompanied by another batchmate (Omi), whose extreme competitiveness and slyness many will recognize from their time at tech institutes. This throwing of the switch, from a coming of age flick to a road movie, unsettles the rhythm, and leads to an overstretched half. This, or that, or both?
Somewhere along the way, almost like an after-thought, the ravishing Kareena Kapoor shows up, to execute a skilled-if-not-madly-novel song-and-dance number with Khan. And because she plays a doctor, she also gets to save lives. She’s not a strong plot point, though, and you miss her effervescence when she’s sent out to bide her time till her next scene.
Hirani has never been afraid of tears, abundantly on display in both his earlier tours. Here, every single character, including the stone-hearted dean Viru Sahastrabuddhe, or more aptly, Virus (Boman Irani, more cipher than character) is given a wet-eyed moment.
The result is a flood, literally, which leaves the second half awash. I happily cried along with Munna and Circuit; here, I caught myself waiting for the deluge to end. The laughter in some places is forced, as is the effort Khan puts into appearing half his age—in the widening of the eyes, the shuffling of the gait, the loose, wrinkly jeans.
Madhavan and Joshi come off better, especially the latter, who is absolutely first rate. But the one who really leaves a mark is the always-chasing-after-success Chatur, the southie nerd played by newcomer Omi.
The film is meant to be a trenchant attack on an educational system which creates robots, and ambitious parents who insist their child do something they do not want to, even if it means losing the child to despair and death. It makes the point, but not as magically as it could have, given Hirani’s unique gift of building extraordinary moments out of the ordinary.
‘3 Idiots’ was good in parts, but it didn’t blow me away.
(shubhra.gupta@expressindia.com)
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"3idiots" movie, you can see how true friend they are,.and you can get moral lessons, like forget your fear and focus your study,Do not think the problem but think of solution,. as a student we must do it of what we get moral lessons in every we see,. I think this is the movie that I really appreciate,. not only for laugh but also for moral lessons.^_^ the most important^_^
according to my point of view this movi is very very good.and plays very important role in our learning
consequently the two films Taare Zameen Par and 3 Idiots are the real and bold challenges before the education system of present times.here the education means ratafication(memorizing)the contents of your syllibi and not the use and modification of one's talent. the movie 3 idiots also acts as a very good lesson for the students and is againest the running across water flow system. instead it encourages the young ones for expressing their hidden talent and use of it for the betterment of society.
Hilarious, thoroughly entertaining movie showcasing the most important phase in a youth's life. The story is well woven with masterly directorial touches by Hirani. At places we find shades of Munnabhai, but they add to the overall theme. However, with his characterization, sometimes he seems to overdo, like with those of the Director (Boman Irani) or Chatur. Why did the poor folks have to come out the greater idiots than the protagonists-3 Idiots. Anyway, we (I and my wife) thoroughly enjoyed a movie after a long time. A special word for Amir. After the legendary Raj Kapoor, I have not seen this so much of creativity, variety innovativeness and commitment in any other film maker. Hats off to you Amir. Keep it up. God bless you!
I just watched this yesterday and it brought back college memories in a flash. After a long time (read movie) I was literally guffawing in the cinema hall (along with others) !! Truly it takes talent to present and package a storyline and keep anyone engaged. I completely disagree with the review that everything was without a plot. Well what else do you expect its a Hindi movie after all. Just sit back and enjoy !!
3 Idiots is highly overrated. The jokes are jaded and the humor is crass. If anybody rates a movie good because it made them laugh, then watch '3 Stooges' instead. The utter trivialization of heinous crimes like rape and ragging is apalling. I wonder if the censors slept through the screening. Amir does not look a student in most scenes - he should stop acting in such movies. Madhavan, a talented actor is put to waste. Omi stands out and is the real star of the movie. Boman is predictable and Kareena relives Jab We Met bubbliness. Mona Singh is a mistfit. The Childbirth scene was totally unnecessary and way far from reality. If this was the real life, who needs midwives? On the whole, the movie is nowhere close to Lago Raho Munnabhai. And about the box-office success, I think the society has gone nuts. Totally overrated movie!
This is one sensible review of the movie ,3Idiots. Apart from the fact that this movie conveys a message,there is nothing great about it.
Just watched 3 idiots today. Will give 7/10. Good to watch once. At 57, I really worry that there appears to be a problem in the Society otherwise cheap humour and some absurd ideas which have gone into this film, would have been widely rejected. Decency has been compromised and the language is becoming very ordinary. The future of Comedy is in danger despite the fact that there are some good actors around. Comparing it with Sholay as the most successful film, is another stupid idea. You young folks, watch out.
Recently, in Mumbai Mirror I noticed many young children committed suicide. What impressed them to do so? If this movie motivates them to commit suicide, then Aamir Khan & team should compensate all those families. Regards
I never expected a mature cinema idol to glorify the rangging scenes, Surprising indian censor board has different yard stic to judge ameer khan movies
gr8888888 movie.amir, sharman and madhavan has done a gr888 job.FANTASTIC MOVIE.
If You are an educated person you have to watch this movie...Trust Me
very very intresting &fabilous film
it was much inspiring for me. i m an engg. student. it describes the truth of our life.thanks amir and hirani.
Surprising to see how you don't need any qualifications or credentials to become a film critic in a national paper in India...
movie had many lessons to learn, but I didnt like the guys pulling down their pants in front of a woman (kareena), scene cud have been made better.
I don't understand why today people start looking for a 'meaning' in the film !! If the movie has made you laugh and cry, but entertained you throughout, then its a very good movie. And 3 Idiots is one of them. It wasnt extraordinary agreed, but hugely entertaining !!
The movie had all the potential to be mind blowing, but falls well below the target. Most of the jokes are popular among Reader's digest readers and also a few are picked up from a few ads. Is there no other way of finding comedy than the ones already repeated many times before? The movie does have a very good message in it, but why so many suicides in engineering colleges? Aamir does overdo his attempt at a college guy, but Sharman was really good. Madhavan seemed out of place
Some people don't get the movie probably because they never experienced hostel and/or engineering kind of life. I think this article writer is one of them. They look at the jokes at the 'face value' not understanding how close to real they are. Apart from common-room-suction-delivery, everything was okay.
3 idiots As the name suggest, most have assumed it to be a fun and comedy flick. But this one has got the finest blend of comedy, fun, motivation, acting, dialouges and a lots more for its sure credit of touching the new records. This movie is very best suited for the OSCARS. Though there were some latter conflict in case of the "initiated and inspired" credit topic, all had well settled down peacefully. As a common citizen and having the full authority to express my views, I would have no other option other than giving it a WHOLE 5-***** rating for its motivational and moving concept. It had very clearly outlined the flaws and ill-effects of the current EDUCATION SYSTEM and the mind-set developed from such an environment among the youths. If the message is clear to all my Friends, lets do in context to the provided vision of living life. Thanks. Mehul Manoharan
There are no twenty something actors in BTOWN to play the characters in 3 Idiots. They are all too big (apparently everyone of them is more than 6 foot tall). Boman Irani's might have to look up and talk like a kid talking to an adult. Aamir thanks to his height looked like a bachcha getting a scolding from Masterji. Thats what the story needed.
There are no twenty something actors in BTOWN to play the characters in 3 Idiots. They are all too big (apparently everyone of them is more than 6 foot tall). Boman Irani's might have to look up and talk like a kid talking to an adult. Aamir thanks to his height looked like a bachcha getting a scolding from Masterji. Thats what the story needed. Stop going for looks and look for what could've been better for the story.
I totally agree with the rating. It seemed that they have stitched togethar lots of bad humour (dirty jokes), some songs and little bit romance out of place all over the movie. It didn't feel that the story was "flowing naturally".
I instantly connected with your article. Bang on! Aamir hams a lot which he never did in the early part of his film career. Couldn't the director tell him not to widen his eyes in every other scene?! I felt that his eye balls would pop out of their sockets by the end of the film -- surely sub par acting. Madhavan was juvenile too. Joshi was very very believable - I loved him; surely a much more talented actor than Aamir or Madhavan. Mr. Shubhra Gupta, pls continue to write such honest and discerning reviews even if they don't please all your readers. Thanks.
Thank God, there is some else who didnt like this movie either. I still dont understand why people are SO crazzy about the movie. I mean just read the book once, you will forget Aamir an Hirani. And what is Aamir khan doing? Where has the Aamir from DCH disappeared? Sharman was really good though.
i have seen amir at south city at 31st 09 where i have gone for a movie 3 idiots invited from axis bank. i like amir becoz of his decision .what ever decision he takes for his life that can for anything personal,proffesonal anything.its should be a big inspiration for me and should b for any matured man..thanks to amir. if u can please pass on my message to amir khan