3 IDIOTS - Random Observations

PROLOGUE - This is not a movie review

I was lucky enough to grab hold of a couple of tickets for the special screening of 3 Idiots, last Thursday. Initially I was a bit wary, as I am of most movies released amidst such fanfare and hype, and secondly 'coz I was going for it at the cost of watching India chase down Srilanka's 300+ total. To tell the truth, it was worth it. Although, I would not rank it amongst my all time favourites but it still would rank pretty high.

First things first. This is not a copy of 'Five Point Someone'. At best, it can be assumed to be "loosely based" on the book. Even the basic themes are different. While Five Point was more about college life and friendships, 3 Idiots seems to belong to the Munna Bhai mould trying to garnish entertainment with social messages. But it still is pretty evident that it was the book that must have got Hirani thinking of 3 Idiots.

Elements of the book that find a mention in the film's plot
1. Student falling for his sadistic Prof's daughter
2. Alok's life being driven by loads of expectations and the constant emotional blackmailing of his mother.
3. Alok's ailing father
4. Alok moving out of the group to study along with the insti nerd. And then realizing his fallacy, when Ryan carries his father to the hospital on a scooter.
5. Stealing question papers - though this particular plot has been turned on its head.
6. and loads other..

Hirani has also not fallen short of taking jabs at the Indian Education System. Even though the college in question is ICE, Hirani's dialogues interspersed with clandestine remarks convince you that if Hirani had his way he would have gone ahead with actually depicting the IITs had it not been the fear of backlash from the academic community. There are references to '4 lac' candidates having applied for ICE and then the fact that inspite of ICE being the best college in India it has failed when it came to innovation , inventions and patents.

If I was to grade it, I would give it a 'high 3 Point Something'. (On a scale of 5)