3 Idiots (2009)

Two friends are searching for their long lost companion. They revisit their college days and recall the memories of their friend who inspired them to think differently, even as the rest of the world called them "idiots".

Director:

Rajkumar Hirani

Writers:

Rajkumar Hirani (dialogue), Abhijit Joshi (dialogue),

Stars:

Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Madhavan

Top 250 #232 | 19 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Aamir Khan	...	'Rancho' Shamaldas Chanchad
Kareena Kapoor	...	Pia
Madhavan	...	Farhan Qureshi (as R. Madhavan)
Sharman Joshi	...	Raju Rastogi
Boman Irani	...	Viru Sahastrabudhhe
Omi Vaidya	...	Chatur 'Silencer' Ramalingam
Mona Singh	...	Mona
Javed Jaffrey	...	Ranchoddas Shamaldas Chanchad (as Jaaved Jaaferi)
Parikshat Sahni	...	Mr. Qureshi (as Pareekshit Sahani)
Rahul Kumar	...	Millimeter - MM
Amardeep Jha	...	Mrs. Rastogi
Farida Dadi	...	Mrs. Qureshi
Mukund Bhatt	...	Mr. Rastogi
Chaitali Bose	...	Kamini 'Kammo' Rastogi
Jayant Kripalani	...	Campus Interview Panel Head (as Jayant Kriplani)

Storyline

Farhan Qureshi and Raju Rastogi want to re-unite with their fellow collegian, Rancho, after faking a stroke aboard an Air India plane, and excusing himself from his wife - trouser less - respectively. Enroute, they encounter another student, Chatur Ramalingam, now a successful businessman, who reminds them of a bet they had undertaken 10 years ago. The trio, while recollecting hilarious antics, including their run-ins with the Dean of Delhi's Imperial College of Engineering, Viru Sahastrabudhe, race to locate Rancho, at his last known address - little knowing the secret that was kept from them all this time.

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Plot Keywords:

student | college | buddy | engineering | friend | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material, some disturbing images and crude humor

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

India

Language:

Hindi Urdu English

Release Date:

25 December 2009 (India)

Also Known As:

3 Aptal

Filming Locations:

Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£437,554 (UK) (25 December 2009)

Gross:

$6,523,137 (USA) (19 February 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eros International, Reliance Big Pictures, Vinod Chopra Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

170 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While shooting the drunk scene, Aamir suggested that they get really drunk and that happened on the shoot which resulted in numerous retakes and the stock of camera roll got over and the unit had to go to another shoot in Bangalore (where the film was shot) to get roll.

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Goofs

Farhan (as narrator) says he was born in 1978. Chatur, presumably about the same age, says (in the hazing scene) that he was born in Uganda, whose dictator Idi Amin (1971-1979) expelled nearly all Indians in 1972.

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Quotes

Machine Class Professor: Why are you back?
Rancho: Sir, I forgot to take something...
Machine Class Professor: What?
Rancho: Instruments that record, analyse, summarise, organise, debate and explain information; that are illustrated, non-illustrated, hardbound, paperback, jacketed, non-jacketed; with foreword, introduction, table of contents, index; that are indented for the enlightenment, understanding, enrichment, enhancement and education of the human brain through sensory route of vision - sometimes touch.
Machine Class Professor: [confused] What are you trying to say?
Rancho: Books sir! ...

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Connections

References 1942: A Love Story (1994)
A character, while being drunk, sings the song "Kuch Na Kaho" from this film in 3 idiots. Both are Vidhu Vinod Chopra films

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Soundtracks

"Zoobi Doobi - Remix"
Lyrics by Swanand Kirkire
Composed by Shantanu Moitra
Performed by Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal
Courtesy of Super Cassettes Industries Limited (T-Series)

User Reviews

Aamir has yet again chased excellence & success follows him !

Plot Two idiots Farhan (Madhavan) and Raju (Sharman) sets outs on a journey to find their lost friend and the 3rd idiot Rancho (Aamir).. As the journey starts off, their college life and old memories of their friendship, with a unique free-thinker Rancho who inspired them and changed their lives, are unfolded through flashbacks and followed with some twists and turns...

My Views 3 Idiots looks at our educational system which pressurizes the students and does not allow to chose his destination by his own wish, in a satirical way and brings out some of the flaws in it... On parallel there is a love angle between Rancho and Pia (Kareena)... Many of the situations/characters have resemblance or inspiration to "Five Point Someone", blockbuster novel penned by Chetan Bhagat...

Both humour and emotional quotients are amalgamated in the right proportion, full credits to Raju for that... Film offers lots of quality rib-tickling moments throughout.. The intermission point offers a twist that is totally out of the blue and keeps you hooked to the movie ! Just when you think this feel-good comic caper is leading to its culmination, there is another surprising element at the climax which is brilliantly weaved out by Hirani...

Technically, it rocks with astounding and visually arresting cinematography, the aerial shots of Shimla and Ladakh are a pleasant treat for our eyes... Editing was good... Song visualizations were cool... Music was good and well placed with the flow of the narration...

Coming to performances, all of them comes out with convincing portrayals, but it is Aamir Khan, the real showman of Bollywood, steals the shows with yet another stellar portrayal and will go down as one of his best performances. His looks and mannerisms as a college student was genuine and consummate.. Madhavan and Sharman adds up with commendable performances... Kareena does her part well... Among the supporting, Boman Irani as the eccentric head of the institution was too good...

On the downside, there are some unbelievable filmy situations which can be excused as writer's liberty and the episode of Mona's delivery was a bit far stretched.. Still these minor negatives does not affect this wholesome entertainer ! In short the basic theme of the movie is that "chase excellence and success will follow".. Just like that Aamir and Raju has chased excellence and success is following them...

So to sum up, Aamir and Hirani has delivered the best movie of 2009... Do yourself a favour by seeing this highly emotional and feel good comic entertainer...

Verdict : THE BEST of 2009 ! Rating : 9/10

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