3 Idiots Review

Bravo! Bollywood smartys had done it again. The invincible Rajkumar Hirani goes more `hearty' and less `arty' this time to give us a witty and touching look at life and makes a befitting comment at the mad rat race we are in where the quotient of success is measured with a materialistic tape without giving the call of your heart any grape.

What happens when unrealistic pressures to achieve gets on you, unable to bear and handle you say it quits, people call it suicide but in `3 Idiots' Rancho (Aamir best till date) asks, it can also be murder?

Amazingly that's not the starting point of the film, it rather begins with Farhan Qureshi (R Madhavan - fantastic) narrating his journey with his friend Raju Rastogi (Sharman Joshi- brilliant) who embark on a quest for a lost buddy. The story progresses in Farhan's point of view where we make our way through the breathtakingly shot (C.K. Muraleedharan) perilous landscapes of Shimla, Manali & Ladakh.

Another journey begins: their inner journey through memory lane and the story of their friend - the irrepressible free-thinker Rancho the character most probably inspired by Hollywood great Robbin Williams well Rajkumar Hirani's fascination with this pleasant character never ends nor does the charm of this genius who thinks out of the box and captures heart in a unique way and changes their lives.

Perhaps the most-satisfying aspect of '3 Idiots' is how it provides an insight into the pressure system prevalent in the society within the survival conflicts that ignores the true calibre and results in end of a deserving life.

As Rajkumar has done it previously, he does it again; he never goes preachy and makes sure the entertainment hungry souls of Bollywood get their soul stirring here and there.

He did it with tremendous success with the `Munnabhai' series and here also he comes with flying colours.

As Farhan and Raju search for rancho, Hirani  presents us with insights into the education system of this country through flashback sequences of brilliantly executed campus sequences, the Chamatkar Balatkar speech on Teacher's day and the ragging with the pants down jahahpanah act becoming the major highlights which doesn't halt the action and keeps us gulled to the world of this 3 best buddies 10 yrs before, Hirani narrates us in solid command and flow in travelling between current and flashbacks without breaking the link.

The friendship between the 3 makes some sensitive points like the class divide telling it in a light hearted manner like the melodramatic introduction of Sharman's family in black and white which is just brilliant.

Raju(Sharman) is an average middle class who has to pass and get a job while Maddy is belongs to upper middle who has to pass the examination to satisfy his parents.

Hirani smartly etches such characters and narrates the story with some very fine moments that will go well with the younger lot demanding second viewing for sure.

The movie then looks into more border perspective from here and starts talking about the true definition of excellence and following your heart without worrying about success as it will come again and again on your path of excellence.

Hirani pulls the message keeping the interest alive by writing some excellent lines.

Like Sharman reacting after coming for an interview on a wheel chair and getting rejected for being honest and straightforward, "Aap naukri rakh lo mein attitude rakhta hoon' or my best " Yeh India hai, yahan Pizza 30 minutes mein milne ki gurantee hai magar ambulance nahin."

You expect something different from an Aamir Khan starrer helmed by Rajkumar Hirani who has given Bollywood a new coming of age face with his Munnabhai series.

Here too, Rajkumar keeps his promise and gives you some really uplifting moments, for example the Sharman's interview on a wheel chair, Aamir's proposal to Kareena, the drinking sessions at the campus, the melodramatic climax, the chemistry between the three friends, Maddy's disclosure to his parents that he wanna be something else and then the thanks giving to Aamir, all weaved together with the free spirit of Rancho who has a secret but who nevertheless humours and pushes the boys into becoming better people.

The story swings between Rancho's romance with the spirited Pia (Kareena Kapoor - excellent) and his clash with and oppressive mentor, Viru Sahastrabudhhe (Boman Irani - outstanding).

The scenes between Aamir and Kareena are typical but well treated. The songs appear good while watching the flick. With other technical aspects turning out to be great performers the movie scores 4 out of 5.

Obviously, things like the magical `Jaddu ki Jhappi' can only be created once in your life

Nevertheless the hangover of `Munnabhai' is still there. Boman head of an institute and his daughter romancing a brat from the same institute and you don't teach me attitude of Boman and the brat teaching important lessons to the teacher on his departure from college are quite similar to Munnabhai MBBS. 

But all said and done, `3 Idiots' is one of those cinematic joys that deliver most of its pleasure through a combination of rich character development and fantastic performances that comes with a message.

Recommended: Yes Certainly. `3 Idiots' is a movie that every student should see with his parents before packing bags for any college.