A blaring sun. . Review on 3 Idiots

The moon is said to be more beautiful than sun, but because it’s feeble you can see and criticize the black spots. And just because sun is blaring, burning and relentless nobody dares to look eye to eye. Well that by no means implies that sun is not beautiful. What it means is, if you brave to look a while with scrutinizing eyes, you may find some black spot there as well.

3 Idiots, a fine film from almost all aspects, is one such blaring sun. It shines throughout, mostly overshadowing its shortcomings. An impelling star cast of Amir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani, R Madhvan and Sharman Joshi, a super hit producer-director duo of VV Chopra and Raju Hirani, a bestseller novel as the basic plot, strategic marketing and sleek packaging… the combination was almost guaranteed to click and it does. It not only clicks but also successfully manages to hide the loopholes.

3 Idiots, on the brighter side is a fun “feel good” film. Raj Kumar Hirani continues with his “preaching coated in humor” style. His film, like his earlier two, raises some social issues, suggests some solution and concludes with basic moral that being happy is more important that being successful. You’ll smile, laugh, chock your throat and shed tears at right time. The film grips the audience emotionally. Majority, if not all, of the audience would come out content, carrying a feeling of 3 hrs well spent. Nobody would be seemingly cribbing the hike in ticket rates that most cinemas around the country have implied for this film. Making someone pay extra for a film ticket and still making him happy itself is a big achievement.

But on the hind side, if you could manage to break the emotional shield the film creates and look closely… there are some questions that need to be answered. For starters, why Amir Khan, who sang “papa kehte hain” in the college farewell 21 years ago, has to play a first year college student. We do have a good breed of young 20 something actors, maybe not at par with Amir, but competent and convincing enough. Amir Khan and R Madhvan look hopelessly unconvincing as first year college kids. It the sheer charisma of Amir and grip of the story that never lets the attention drag to his under eye lines and now starting wrinkles on forehead.

Then there are reminisce of Amir’s Taare Zameen Par. Only difference is at the receiving end of his “let the children do what they wants to do” speeches are college professors and principals instead of parents. But a 40 plus Amir, playing a school teacher, giving piece of advice to student’s parents was far more convincing and acceptable than a 40 plus Amir, playing a under graduate student, giving similar speeches to lecturers, college principals and friend’s parents.

And since when making fun of a paralyzed old man became humorous? In fact making mockery of the whole below poverty line family of Raju (played by Sharman Joshi) was in bad taste. Very unlike Raj Kumar Hirani it was. And our hero is allowed to take the scooter, with loud shout and louder horns, right inside the emergency ward, party and play dart in the same ward without anyone having any issues with it. Don’t we have other patients in the hospital? Well all these thing sting as the film comes from Raj Kumar Hirani and you expect a director of his repute to have an eye for details. Choosing R Madhvan as narrator also seems to be wrong decision.

Having said all this, 3 Idiots is not a bad film at all. It’s definitely worth every extra penny you spent for that ticket. And you would most likely be satisfied for 3 hrs well spent. Apart from missing some minute details, Raj Kumar Hirani is in full form, once again. He has carefully selected some of the finest performing actors. Amir Khan carries the film on his shoulders with able support from R Madhvan and Sharman Joshi. Omi Vaidya makes an impressive debut. His Teacher’s day speech will remain in our memories for long time. Boman Irani is a fine actor but why he has to don a funny wig is a mystery. Kareena Kapoor, who is accounted for making some fine films bomb in initial phase of her career, has come a long way. She lights up the screen whenever she gets the share in camera frame.

Story plotline, inspired by a best selling novel, was always strong. Add to that some fine writing by the writers and we have a binding tale of humor, emotions, message and drama. Shantanu Moitra’s music serves the purpose. Raju Hirani adds a filmy touch towards the end in the baby delivery episode, which though very filmy, is actually enjoyable.VV Chopra and Raju Hirani pair has done it again. But they should not try to hide the deficiencies rather rectify them next time.

But overall we can safely conclude “all is well” Recommended.