Idiots have never been so cool

KATHMANDU, Dec 30: “Aamir Khan did it again,” I sent an SMS to my friend immediately after I became one of those fortunate ones to get to see the first-day first show of the much-awaited Bollywood film 3 Idiots. No other movie could have been better than 3 Idiots for Bollywood to end 2009. I can still hear people clapping at Jai Nepal Cinema Hall at the end of the maiden show.[break]

For the first time, I saw Nepali audiences stand together to clap for a Hindi cinema. I can still hear them singing Aal Izz Well. After Sanjay Dutt’s Lage Raho Munna Bhai, I never had this opportunity to see any such film which could bring tears to my eyes without making me feel emotional or sad. Yes, I cried watching 3 Idiots, I laughed and I enjoyed every bit of the movie. Hirani succeeds giving his Lage Raho legacy in 3 Idiots too.

Hirani’s 3 Idiots is beyond an old “guy meets girl” or “rich (boy) falls in love with a poor (girl)” love story. Inspired by Chetan Bhagat’s “Five Point Someone,” 3 Idiots is a feel-good, fun-filled and emotional story. Hirani’s cocktail entertainment leaves us a social message which is heartwarming and it fits into our mind without the director having to stress on what he is trying to depict.

Hirani makes sure that the plot is not too preachy and every scene goes hand in hand. Bravo to Aamir Khan once again for he is one of those very few in Bollywood who has always given priority to the substance of a movie. As usual, he has proved once again that there is no competition against him in the big bazaar of Bollywood, irrespective of the stardom of other Khans, Bachchans and Kapoors.

The tale of three friends – Farhan Qureshi (R Madhavan), Raju Rastogi (Sharman Joshi), and Rancho or Rancchoddas Shyamaldas Chanchad (Aamir Khan) – is actually a story of every teenager, of every adult, of every household. Farhan and Raju begin their journey to find their long-lost friend Rancho. And there they recall their days of graduation.

Rancho was always the unwanted student in his college. In fact, he was an “idiot,” according to the dean, Viru Sahastrabudhhe a.k.a. Virus (Boman Irani). Rancho is a non-conformist; he strives for excellence, not success, he says no to anything that he think of is a barrier to attaining knowledge. He thinks the unthinkable and only listens to his heart’s calling.

This unwanted intelligent student of engineering is a trouble to the dean. To the dean’s dismay, Rancho tops the university every year, despite his attempts to get Rancho in trouble friends Farhan and Raju, on the other side, fail to do well in their exams. Rancho fixes up things with his mantra Aal Izz Well and brings out the realization in their friends that they have not been listening to their heart and are mugging up knowledge which will not help them out.

Kareena Kapoor fits into her character suitably. Thank God, there is no overacting on her part this time.

I would be a jerk if I went on telling more about the story. This movie certainly is one such which should not be missed. Hirani beautifully portrays how bribery first begins at home.

Take for example, “If you score 99 marks, you’ll get a watch, or else a beating” is one of the most powerful dialogues in the movie. The best thing about this movie is that it is not at all about any heavy stuffs like in 2012, nor about Gandhi or Bhagat Singh. It is a simple story that directly connects to our daily lifestyle and leaves its footprints deep within us.

The music by Shantu Moitra is a bonus in the film and Muralidharan’s cinematography compliments the film beautifully.

Having already collected Rs 12.5 crores by the second day of its release, producer Chopra is sure to go a long way in the industry. For the rest, it’s a must-see movie, making you feel Aal Izz Well as you are about to step into 2010. There is no harm being the fourth idiot; you will actually love to be one.

Screening at Jai Nepal Cinema Hall.