Movie Review: 3 Idiots

A new cult classic is born. 3 Idiots promises to do for a whole generation of young India what QSQT and MPK did for us, and DCH followed with a decade later.

Reportedly, and (partly) admittedly, based on Five Point Someone (a book I never really liked or related to as an ex-IITian), 3 Idiots is based on the life of three friends, Rancho (Aamir), Raju (Sharman) and Farhan (Madhavan) and their kabhi khushi kabhi gum life in Delhi's Imperial College of Engineering. Their exploits will regale you, their tribulations will make you cry, their jokes will make you laugh, and their frolicking will remind you of those beautiful days of kattas, overnight assignments, cycles and rose days.

Then suddenly, after the graduation ceremony, Rancho is gone. For 5 whole years, without a word.

When their scholarly, always competitive classmate Chatoor Ramalingam (Omi, in a fantastic rendition) informs them that he knows where Rancho is, they set out on a journey to Shimla and beautiful Ladakh to find him... and the truth. And on the way, they also take a detour to Manali to entice Rancho's love angle, Pia (a very subtle and beautiful Kareena), from her marriage pandal.

And of course, at the end, Aal iz well!

The movie has some hilarious moments, the teacher's day speech sequence will make you clutch your stomach in pain from all the laughing. The ragging sequences are funny, and superbly executed, although I am not sure if the close ups were really necessary :)

And while I have no comment on the on-going debate and controversy over how much credit should have been given to Five Point Someone, the script is a disappointment, for two simple reasons. Some dialogues are repeated and the jokes are borrowed.

The music can be missed the first time, but definitely grows on you with the soulful renditions. Jaane Nahin Denge Tumjhe and Saari Umr Hum are simply outstanding.

The cast is fantastic. While they do look their age, Aamir, Sharman and Madhavan do pull it off, and have some brilliant moments. Kareena, as I mentioned before, is subtle and beautiful. Mona Singh, as Kareena's sister has a small role, but looks really good! Omi really impresses in his Chatoor role, but the best has to be Boman Irani as the obsessed Director of ICE, he just adds so much to every role! Truly an amazing performance!

Definitely a must watch, at least a couple of times. Be ready for lots of laughs, a few tears, and many, many memories.