3 idiots by Ashim

I say: AWESOME! ****

By now, 3 idiots is a super duper hit and the word of mouth is already out. Let me tell you what I think works for it!

Raju Hirani is superb in putting his point forward. He did that before with the Munnabhai sequels and does it again with 3 idiots. Why try and preach, moralize or get too serious about proving your point? The same thing can be conveyed through the medium of entertainment. He uses humor to convey the ‘high funda’ message of the movie!

The film’s subject is actually a pretty serious one. The film talks critically but humorously about problems with the Indian education system. It elevates significant issues like- obsession with high grades, relevance of memorizing by rote and mostly about parental pressure for high grades and career choices. Students committing suicide because of these pressure from family and teachers is regular today. 3 idiots raises a pertinent question- Was it suicide or murder? Hirani balances these staid moments with funny moments beautifully and knows just when to pitch in emotional lows, after a comical highs.

Most of the sidesplitting sequences are the college life scenes like the ragging session, Omi's balatkaar speech and 3 idiots found drunk n hiding at the back of the class. The trio caught in an embarrassing situation at the reception of Kareena's sister, the dinner sequence at Sharman's house and Sharman's seriously ill father driven on a scooter to the hospital are some other sequences to make your jaws ache. Somebody told me, that a few of these gags were actually old internet jokes. That does not influence my liking for the humor. The jokes I read/heard earlier were even funnier when I saw them filmed.

The performer who stood out was the lesser-known LA-based actor Omi Vaidya who stars as Chatur aka ‘Silencer’. His Hindi-challenged dialect is simply hilarious and his speech is one of the funniest scenes of all times. Aamir Khan does have the central role and story revolves around him but Sharman, Mahadevan and Boman also have their roles well etched out. Film belongs to everyone! Goes without saying, Aamir is fabulous as always. He actually looked like a guy in the 20s. Sharman has meatier role than Madhavan. Both were perfect in their roles and did great. Boman (Virus) was impeccable as the vile princie. Kareena despite the tiny role length makes her presence felt and looks good.

Nothing’s perfect! The film does have its negatives. The end stretches a bit too long and suddenly things are not spontaneous anymore. The second half of the film does falter in parts. It is actually quite ‘filmy’ when the baby is delivered on a ping pong table. But you would still love Aamir Khan doing any kind of filmy stuff and pass it with a ‘huh!’ I feel, ‘Aal iz well’ is pushed a li’l too far when the baby in the womb starts kicking on hearing the chant. Songs are not great but sound melodious to the ears and nicely picturised as well! Despite all these small hiccups, the film is a laugh riot and one of the most entertaining films ever.

So in short, with awesome cinematography, uproarious and wild dialogues, superb direction and top notch acting performances, 3 idiots deserves every bit of what it has achieved yet and is likely to achieve in the times to come! 3 idiots is a family entertainer, it’s funny and at the same time is emotional n enlightening. The film is fresh and has a feel-good factor which makes it work in a big way.

Ashim Srivastava - an idiot!