A Gem

By MovieTalkies.com, 25 December 2009 4.5 / 5

3 Idiots is a gem of an entertainer with purpose and substance, deftly crafted by director Rajkumar Hirani, with Aamir Khan's central character Rancho destined to become a mythical hero every collegian and school goer would worship. With the Munnabhai films under his belt, Raju Hirani had a lot to live up to with his third film, and every expectation of the audience is not only fulfilled but exceeded in ample proportions; and Aamir Khan's superlative performance makes this one of his finest films to date. There was a lot of speculation as to whether a 44 year old veteran actor could play a 22 year old youth in college, and the star has again pulled it off with great aplomb.

The film begins with two friends Farhan Qureshi (R. Madhavan ) and Raju Rastogi (Sharman Joshi) and a nemesis of the past setting out on a journey to find the charismatic and mysterious Rancho, who not only influenced their lives but indelibly affected everything around them. As the journey proceeds, the two friends reminisce their encounters with Rancho aka Ranchoddas Shamaldas, at the college of engineering they attended together. While the pursuit of education is all the students work towards, Rancho sets an example by persevering in the pursuit of life; fulfilling his dream rises above all else, and brings him in conflict with the stern principal Viru Sahastrabudhhe aka Virus, both astutely and funnily played by Boman Irani, completing his hat trick with Raju Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The ideals of the principal and the rebellious student clash, and the education system we adhere to with all its flaws becomes the moot point. The student suicides that our country faces is examined with heart and attention, at the same time the film does not digress from its sole intent to entertain, a difficult task but ably pulled off. While the financial difficulties the family of Raju is undergoing is brought out with touching humor, Farhan's career choice of engineering vs. photography in the face of family pressure is beautifully fleshed out.

There is enough and more detail in every aspect of the storytelling effort, and the screenplay by Hirani and Abhijat Joshi is a fine piece of writing that is destined to become one of the greatest screenplays in Indian Cinema history. But what is really extraordinary is the film's balance of heart and mind. Yes, there are standard plot points like Kareena Kapoor's Pia as Virus' daughter, who Rancho falls in love with, but even these are wonderful respites that you devour into, with scenes like the wedding of her sister which the 3 idiots gate crash making the film a repeat watch; another gem is the scene in the college auditorium when two words, chamatkaar and balaatkarm are funnily confused to evoke side splitting laughter. But the humor is wonderfully contrasted with grave messages strewn regularly, an aspect of the film that must be experienced, and something this review will not give away too much of, especially the interval which has to be experienced and is a shocker that we will not get into in this review. All izzz Well with 3 Idiots on the music front also, with the Udtee Hawa song a fine creation of Swanand Kirkire’s lyrics set to Shantanu Moitra's music, playing out as the journey takes off in the beginning. C. K. Muraleedharan's wide canvas cinematography of the journey through Simla, coupled with the closed door classroom detailing, and the colourful wedding celebration and romantic song Zoobi Doobi as a vibrant contrast, makes the film visually very appealing, adding to the calibre of the actors' enactments under deft directorial control.

Chase your dream and shine like the 3 Idiots.

Unconventional Melodies

By MovieTalkies.com, 30 November 2009 3 / 5

The year is inching towards its end and all eyes are now centred on Rajkumar Hirani's 3 Idiots. With Aamir Khan playing the lead, and Hirani helming the film post his acclaimed Munnabhai MBBS and its sequel Lage Raho Munnabhai, the expectations are immense. 3 Idiots also features Kareena Kapoor, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani while the music has been composed Shantanu Moitra who teams up with lyricist Swanand Kirkire yet again. Moitra may not yet be known for any great commercial hit numbers, but his music has always been very sensitive and in sync with the subject of the film. He has proven his versatility consistently with films like Parineeta, Haazaron Khwashien Aisi, Eklavya, Lage Raho Munnabhai, Khoya Khoya Chand and Lagaa Chunri Main Daag and once again does so with 3 Idiots. The album has a total of five numbers and two remixes. Aal Izz Well is sung by Sonu Nigam, Shaan and Kirkire, and features as a remix as well. It's a fun, situational song and the lyrics display a typical laid back, campus attitude. There is a sense of freshness in this song which has catchy music and nonsensical lyrics. The three singers do a great job and their combined efforts will easily propel the number to the top of music charts. This may be that commercial hit that Moitra has been waiting for. Next comes Zoobi Doobi which has been sung by Sonu and Shreya Ghoshal. This is a playful rain dance which has Aamir and Kareena getting romantic in the rain. There is something about the number which is reminiscent of music of the '60s. Its retro feel comes with the touch of jazz that Moitra imparts and there is a lovely blend of melody and rhythm, making it quite a delectable number. Shreya Ghoshal works her dulcet magic in this number again and is very well supported by Sonu. This number has a remix version as well, which comes with very contemporary beats. Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh, is a very different kind of song. Sung by Moitra along with Shaan, it is a slow, wistful number about the loss of a friend and has that nostalgic quality about it which has deep appeal. Moitra borrows liberally from Bengal folk music and uses minimum instruments in the arrangement which manages to tug at one's heart and is quite effective in evoking the appropriate emotions. The next number, Give Me Some Sunshine, begins with actor Sharman Joshi reciting some lines before singer Suraj Jagan takes over. The lyrics of this number are likely to appeal to the youth as it talks about the stress of education. There is a chorus as well and Moitra gives a soft rock feel to the number through the manner in which he uses the guitar and the mouth organ. The album ends with Jaane Nahin Denge, which is a solo by Sonu. In this song, the entire emphasis is on the voice and the lyrics and both are perfectly moulded together to create this sweet number. In fact, it is easily among one of Sonu's best in recent times. The lyrics are intense and the singer manages to convey the emotions perfectly. This too is yet another number which achieves a perfect balance between melody and lyrics. 3 Idiots is a slightly unconventional album and its music is the kind which will take a while to grow on the average listener accustomed to filmy music. Moitra gives a good mix of all kinds of music in this album, reveling in his mastery over jazz, rock and Bengali folk as he creates some very haunting melodies alongside some fun ones.

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