3 idiots: Your 3 hours worth spent

Rating: 4 out of 5*

Starring: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi & Boman Irani

Director: Rajkumar Hirani

Farhan (Madhavan) and Raju (Sharman), 10 years after they have finished their engineering from India’s most prestigious engineering college find a clue to finally find their lost friend from college. Rannchoddas Shamaldas Chanchad aka Rancho (Aamir) their ex-room mate in the college hostel had silently disappeared on the graduation day leaving behind no clue of where he had left for. Rancho was the life of the college and with his unique wit had back then even managed to rattle the strict head of the college, Viru Sahastrabuddhe (Boman) but at the same time managed to win the heart of his daughter Pia (Kareena). Before leaving, Rancho had brought a major change in almost every person’s life he had come closer to. Starting their journey from Delhi and going to Shimla, Manali and finally ending up in Ladakh, what surprise is in store for Farhan and Raju when they finally manage to meet Rancho forms the climax of the film.

After two back to back landmark films of Hindi cinema Munnabhai MBBS and Lage Raho Munnabhai, expectations from Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 idiots had been very high. Added to that, was the combination of producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Hirani and Aamir Khan coming together for the first time. So if you wondering whether the film manages to live up to the expectations then yes it does. Aal is well in here! Along with his co-scriptwriter Abhijat Joshi, Hirani packs in many subtle messages through his narrative and successfully drives home the point that when it comes to planning for one’s future, one must follow his heart and do what our hearts tell us rather than what our parents expect us to do. There are plenty of sequences that stay in your heart long after the film is over. Be it the unexpected suicide of a pressurized student, Aamir’s entry scene, the dinner situation at Sharman’s house, Sharman’s job interview, Madhavan convincing his parents to allow him to chose his choice of work and of course the laughathon caused by interchanging of words Chamatkar to Balaatkar by Aamir of an unsuspecting student. However, the child delivery sequence in the pre climax has been unnecessarily over stretched.

The film is a must watch for every Aamir fan. Just check the way he successfully carries out the role of a 22 year old despite being 44 years older. There is a scene when Boman drags him out of his cabin and the body language which Aamir displays then, deserves applause. Giving him adequate support are Madhavan and Sharman. Madhavan gets the double duty of giving the voice over for the film as well and he does it wonderfully well. Sharman delivers his career best performance and it would be a pity if he misses out on the Best Supporting Award for 2009. Debutante Omi playing the irritatingly snobbish nerdy Chatur Ramalingam is excellent and brings the house down on many occasions. Boman speaking with a lisp in the film doesn’t make his character turn into a caricature and yet again leaves a mark. Jassi girl Mona Singh playing Kareena’s sister is good and so is Javed Jaffrey in his brief part.

Shantanu Moitra’s music is already ruling the charts and each and every song has been picturised innovatively with Zoobie Doobie being the best visual delight.

Although 3 idiots is close to three hours long, these hours will definitely be worth spent as you shall come out with many a memorable moments and an amazing inspiration that the film gives.