source : https://flicksonic.com/cineviews.html (my website)
What’s the secret behind 3 idiot’s success? Is it flawless cinema? Is it the best screenplay ever written? Does it have a mind blowing plot? Are the performances extraordinary? If you really think about it, then you would say that 3 idiot's was not a path-breaking film. But it did break every record in the Indian Film Industry.
If you think about it, 3 Idiots was a film, who's story was inspired from an ordinary piece of literature "5 Point Someone - by Chetan Bhagat". It had crass, juvenile humour full of underwears , farts and public urination. It had actors aged 40 playing the role of 18 year old engineering students !
Plus there were logical flaws in the film :
1) The characters travel from Delhi to Shimla and then to Ladakh in less than 12 hours.
2) The baby shown in the last scene looks completely fake in certain shots ( in Aamir Khan's hand )
3) Kareena Kapoor is shown leaving her house in the final sequence - next shot thundering rains - next shot she has reached the hospital - next shot whole of Bombay is flooded ! ( Logic seemed to have drowned in the ensuing flood )
4) When ViruS knew about the UNIQUENESS of the pen all along ( which he explains towards the end) , why is he shown stuttering to Aamir's Pencil question in the beginning? The answer is "convenience" !
Any other film with these glaring Logical Flaws would have become mince-meat, but 3 Idiots steam rolled to a record breaking performance. Why?
The answer is simple. Raj Kumar Hirani has his finger on the pulse of the nation. He knows What Works and What Doesn't ! He knows Indian Idiosyncrasies and knows how to mint them ! The credit goes to the director for delivering a dish, every Indian would find delightfully delectable !
What makes 3 Idiots a record breaking film is the Balance. The story is not exceptional - it's intelligent, the characters are lovable and the performances heartfelt, the humour / dialogues are not completely original but their placement and delivery is immaculate, the film is technically top class and finally, it banks on TRUE STAR POWER.
Raju Hirani paces the film to perfection. There is masala filled in most scenes, to keep the audience entertained. Indian's do not like to be lectured, so the message is GIFT wrapped in childish humour. The Indian Mass does not appreciate WIT, so he gives them juvenile "underwear" humour ! Indian's do not like to waste time on serious stuff, so the serious stuff is plated with IRONY. Indian's love Mellow drama, so he creates an impossible situation (however absurd it may be) towards the end and allows the Heros to save the day. And he works on pure FORMULA - something he perfected over 2 films. Above all he works on one thing that most Indian's relate to - Sacrificing your dream to do something that your family wants you to do or that gives more financial stability. Playing on this regret and asking them to BELIEVE !
Raju also casts Aamir Khan in the role of an 18 year old for a reason. ( Only Indians can accept this !!! ) He brings with him the tag of perfection. Aamir gets him the universal appeal and assures him a huge opening. And Hirani ensures a REPEAT audience with his film. Aamir also brings with him exceptional Marketing expertise. And hence the movie's Marketing is spot on. The buzz spreads like WILD FIRE ! The proof of the Aamir effect is proved by the fact that Munnabhai 1 and 2, which were much better films, pale in comparison of 3 Idiots box office collections.
When you watch the film you overlook the flaws, you overlook the childishness, you overlook the cinematic liberties because you are too overawed by the spirit, the message and too busy drowning your daily tension in guffaws. The film is not Landmark stuff, but it sure is a testament to ONE MAN's awareness of the Indian Idio't'syncrasies !!!
