3 IDIOTS!

one word: AWESOME!

review & synopsis

3 idiots!

That's the essence of 3 IDIOTS,

directed by the supremely talented Rajkumar Hirani.

3 IDIOTS is not about idiots or nincompoops.

It's about three engineering students who believe in

'I'llDo It On my Terms, thus IDIOTs.

3 Idiots is a story of friendship, hope, aspirations and most importantly, the goodness of life.

Two friends [R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi] embark on a quest for a lost buddy.

As they make their way through the perilous landscape [Shimla, Manali, Ladakh],

another journey begins:

their inner journey through memory lane and the story of their friend

- the irrepressible free-thinker Rancho [Aamir Khan],

who, in his unique way, touched and changed their lives.

It's a story of their hostel days that swings between Rancho's romance

with the spirited Pia [Kareena Kapoor]

and his clash with and oppressive mentor,

Viru Sahastrabudhhe [Boman Irani].

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 conformist world called them three idiots.

Where is the original idiot now?

Rancho is the rebel among them

always questioning things

and believing that learning is

more than just the usual mode of education.

He encourages his friends to look beyond the ordinary

and soon earns the wrath of the college director Viru Sahasrabuddhe (Boman Irani).

Despite his fun and frolic,

Rancho always surprises everyone by topping the class.

He even manages to win the affections of the director's daughter Pia (Kareena Kapoor).

But Rancho's greatest contribution lies is

making his friends realise their true calling.

The twist comes when on Graduation Day.

After being awarded the Student Of The Year title,

Rancho mysteriously disappears into oblivion.

This isn't an easy film to make the interplay between characters

and the narrative is interestingly woven.

The film switches from present to flashback mode often

but not once does Hirani lose the momentum.

The medley of emotions that he brings forth

as he establishes the film's structure is indeed commendable.

Like the peppy Aal Izz Well song drawing towards a tragic climax

it's so cleverly done that it has the desired effect.

There are scenes that'll make you laugh,

they'll make you cry

and they'll make you think.

Hirani does it all so beautifully

that you want to go back to college

and relive all those moments.

The falling in love,

the harassment by professors,

the secret drinking sessions,

the ragging of fellow students it's all there.

Hirani also sends across a message on student pressures

but there's no preaching here

it's all done in his inimitable style.

Most films have their own set of 'highlight' scenes.

3 Idiots is different because every scene is special

and brings with it something that's out of the ordinary.

But there are a few that have a far lasting impact the entire ragging sequence;

the camaraderie between Rancho and Pia;

Chatur's (the 'brainy' student) hilarious speech;

the entire black-and-white depiction of Raju's family;

most of the scenes between Rancho and Viru;

the sequences that lead to Raju's recovery in the hospital

and many more.

After a point, you just stop counting.

Dialogues are snappy and totally effective

("In India, you get a pizza in 30 minutes guaranteed but not an ambulance").

The soundtrack,

background score

and cinematography is top class.

Among the performances,

Madhavan[Farhan] delivers his most retrained act ever.

He takes the film back and forth

with his narrative and

is splendid even with comedy.

Sharman Joshi[Raju] is brilliant,

especially in his breakdown scenes.

Boman Irani[the Virus] is sincere as expected,

with his lisp act getting all the right nuances.

Kareena Kapoor gives her finest portrayal

in recent times as Pia.

Her "dhokla, fafda, thepla, khandwa, khakra"

scene is simply too delicious.

Here's a performance that proves

why she's indeed the best.

The life and soul of 3 Idiots is of course Aamir Khan.

His perfection lies in the fact that

he makes everything look so easy and spontaneous.

And at all the right moments,

he brings the film alive with his sheer brilliance.

From his look to his walk to his manner of speech,

Aamir breathes life into Rancho and that's what stays with us.

3 IDIOTS belongs to everyone.

cre: bollywoodhungama.com, mid-day.com