3 Idiots – Virus, Chatur, and Rancho give life to a Munnabhai remake
Years ago, Munnabhai MBBS was a smash hit and emerged as a wholesome entertainer. The film’s director Rajkumar Hirani became a trusted name for good cinema. Munnabhai 2, though not as succulent as it’s predecessor, managed to retain the qualities of honest, clean, and enjoyable movie experience. Now with 3 Idiots, the director has hardened the fact that cinema is all about money and retaining the formula is best for business and the audience.
3 Idiots (based on the core idea of Chetan Bhagat’s Five Point Someone) explores the subtle nuances of what most Indian students endure through their college life – marks, professors, hostels, ragging, family, money, competition, and finally the job interview. The screenplay is well written and there is a stash of broad laughs. Boman Irani, Amir Khan, and new comer Omi Vaidya stand out as the real stars of the movie and without even one of them, the movie would be a big let down.
Although the film is enjoyable and puts a smile on the viewer’s face or tears in their eyes, there are many sequences that could have been totally cut out. The ragging sequence (bit gross for Raju’s style), suicide student, giving birth to the baby, Kareena’s wedding, the real Rancho, and many other sub-plots do nothing more than add puff to bloat the screen time.
The producers and director have reused the Munnabhai MBBS blue print, converted the medical college into an engineering college, slightly modified the plot, and roped in Amir Khan to sell this movie to the audience. Boman Irani repeats Dr. Asthana’s role, but with a different makeup. Sharman Joshi takes the role of the suicide kid. Kareena replaces Gracy Singh, as the daughter of Boman Irani and a budding doctor. Omi dons the role of the Nerd Swami. Jaadu Ki Jhappi is now Aal Izz Well.
Amidst a band wagon of bad and weak Hindi films, 3 Idiots comes as a saving grace!
