Three Idiots - Film Review

FILM REVIEW - THREE IDIOTS

Darvesh Karim, Faculty, PDCN Gilgit

Theme

The story of the film (3 Idiots, 2009) is really a unique one as 'Three Idiots' is a great combination of humor, love, emotions and knowledge. The performances by all the actors are worth acknowledging. On one hand Three Idiots has shown the circumstances faced by the engineering students and on the other side it has also tried to bring out the true meaning of friendship. The major theme of this movie revolves around a well-deserved strike on the existing education system of sub-continent in general and India in particular where rote-learning has become part of the educational life of every student. It is a lighthearted and entertaining journey of three friends as they try to figure themselves out and share unforgettable experiences. It is an Educational movie, which shows the actual face of existing education system.

Analysis

Life is all about listening to our heart and chasing the dreams. Three Idiots is not about the real idiots but it is about three engineering students who believe in 'I'll Do It On my Terms' and that's what the three characters achieve in life. That's the essence of 3 IDIOTS. Three idiots is an amazing movie, a worth watch for the whole family. It is entertaining, emotional, enlightening and has high youth appeal. Aamir Khan’s magic has worked again and 3 Idiots has become one of the finest films ever produced in India.

3 Idiots is definitely an overvalued good movie. The inherent message for the youth to peruse their passion instead of joining the rat race is also exemplary. The message for the students to give precedence to knowledge over marks and follow their passion is definitely admirable. The movie impresses and moves the viewer deeply at certain places. It’s a clean movie, with some good advices if we can pay attention to. The jokes are overall not vulgar, but a small percentage of them may be walking a thin line with the visuals. It’s a movie which does not require you to concentrate, but it does not do much to challenge your sense of logic either.

Two friends embark on a quest for a lost buddy. As they make their way through the dangerous landscape another journey begins: their inner journey through memory lane and the story of their friend - the irrepressible free-thinker, who, in his unique way, touched and changed their lives during their co-stay at engineering college hostel. It's a story of their hostel days that swings between Rancho's romance with the energetic Pia and his clash with and oppressive mentor Viru, and then one day, suddenly, Rancho vanishes... Who was he? Where did he come from? Why did he leave? The friend who influenced and inspired them to think creatively and independently, even as the traditionalist world called them three idiots. Where is the original idiot now? These were the questions of their quest and they were trying hard to solve these problems. The mystery is solved and a new journey begins. Just when you think that the story would be solved, a new story begins. Of course, the pace dips slightly in its second hour, especially during the delivery sequence of Mona, but the immediate sequence, when the baby boy is born and also the subsequent sequence between Boman and Aamir brings the film back on track.

Findings & Explanation

The plot touches upon applicable issues in the Indian education system which sometimes forces rote-learning, peer-competition, strict nature of professors, etc which are prevalent in engineering colleges of subcontinent today in India and Pakistan as well. The plot is light hearted, in that the viewer experiences emotions even through comic scenes and dramatic gestures like a strict professor finally breaking down, or after problems, folks meet with success – two of basic human feelings, which on a practical level, most of us empathize or rejoice with respectively. Personally I believe that this - two basic human feelings – comparison is the major finding of this movie. The movie can flatly be placed in the comic & educational genre, and is also presented in comical means – with a fellow student who mugs up a speech in Hindi, which Rancho and Farhan modify to teach Raju what consequences rote-learning has. Although the view may forget the lesson soon enough, the scene is very well delivered and leaves a lasting impression (especially with the choice of words).

The movie plot also discusses parents’ genuine aspirations for their children, and how while growing up, we feel torn apart between parents’ wants and our own. But the story also carefully depicts how they only seek our happiness and are willing to sacrifice theirs, as always. The movie does not have a colorful appeal, in that, the students are shown to be from modest backgrounds and are looking to have a good time in limited means. In short, in my personal observation, the story is not designed to give a specific message, but to shows students' life at Engineering College and what their interests are along with a quick glance of educational system in India.

References

Chopra, V.V. (Producer), Hirani, R. (Director). (2009). 3 Idiots [Hindi Film]. Mumbay: Vinod Chopra Productions.