Yes - I watched 3 idiots this weekend but before I begin, a very very happy new year to you all. My wish for all of us for 2010 is optimism and joy for the new decade that is upon us.
Now onto the movie - 3 idiots is a Hindi movie that used to come about very rarely but I am happy to say that it is not as unusual an occurrence any more. The movie is based loosely on the book 5 point Someone by Chetan Bhagat (I've added it to my request list at the library - am waiting eagerly to read the book).
The movie starts with 2 friends looking for their third pal, with whom they have lost touch since their graduation from Engineering college. Via flashbacks, the story of their friendship and days in Engineering College ICE (supposedly modeled after IIT) is told. Their long-lost friend Ranchordas Shyamaldas Chanchad (played remarkably by Aamir Khan) has an alag point of view which is evident from the moment he walks into the hostel and befriends his 2 roommates. He is not afraid to take on the system and question age-old teaching traditions which earns him the ire of their principal played by Boman Irani. The movie moves forward effortlessly with their comic capers and antics of their fellow students (especially Chatur played by Omi Vaidya - the darling of their principal affectionately dubbed Virus). After their journey to reach Rancho, they are shocked to find out that Rancho is not who he said he was. They then decide to continue their journey to discover the truth about their friend. Along the way they manage to stop Rancho's girlfriend Priya's (played by Kareena Kapoor) wedding in the nick of time. She also joins the quest for Rancho. Will they find Rancho? Will Priya and Rancho have their happy ending? To find out, you will have to watch 3 Idiots.
The movie kept my engaged throughout and the pace did not slack anywhere. However, I take issue with the whole storyline related to Priya's sister delivering her baby with the aid of Rancho and his friends. That to me was a little far-fetched. Our movies have a problem with staying away from melodrama. That said however, the movie is thoroughly enjoyable - I loved the ending. Everyone has done full justice to their roles. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi who play the 2 buddies have done a good job. Boman Irani is really good playing a caricature of a college principal, staying completely true to his atrocious character. Kareena Kapoor does a good job in her brief role as Priya. Her song and dance routine with Aamir Khan is an enjoyable throwback to Hindi cinema of the 60s and 70s. Aamir Khan is simply awesome. Other than some of his earlier movies where he was a newcomer trying to establish a foothold, he is yet to make a wrong choice in recent times. He is fabulous from start to finish. As a director Rajkumar Hirani has done an excellent job. He is another director who is yet to fumble - his track record as director so far has been unblemished what with this movie following the Munnabhai movies. Vidhu Vinod Chopra must be laughing his way to the bank.
A must watch for Bollywood enthusiasts.
V, This is probly the ONLY case where I felt the movie was better than the book.'5 point Someone' is an ok read for anyone who has gone thru student life away from home..but he isnt the best of authors by any scale.
ReplyDeleteAgree on the "Pregnancy melodrama" part.. but overall the movie was way more enjoyable than the book.
Am still waiting to get the book... long line at the public library.
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