Analyzing 3 Idiots: A Groundbreaking Masterpiece by Rajkumar Hirani

 

Recently, I was watching 3 Idiots AGAIN and my Mom told me Why don't you do a Ph.D. on the movie? You have seen that same movie like hundred times already. Well, I took that as a compliment and started my research on it. Unfortunately, as no University gives a degree of that sort, my research came to an end but what I found was groundbreaking.

3 idiots was the highest-grossing Bollywood movie of its time with a lifetime gross of Rs.459.96 crores. The secret behind its huge success is its popularity not only in India but also in other Asian countries like China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong as well.

In China, it has become so popular that it has given the status of a CULT movie. In South Korea, it has remained number one at the Box Office for five weeks. It was the first Bollywood movie to be aired in Hong Kong, even then it was the 14th highest-grossing film of 2011 at Hong Kong Box office.  So what actually makes 3 Idiots so popular among the masses? What is so special about it? (The remaining blog is about that only so continue reading...)

1.    Relatable Characters:

One of the major reasons why this movie is so loved by people is its highly relatable characters. These characters are someone or at least similar to someone we have seen in our surroundings.

Let's be honest every single one of us, has seen a person similar to 'Chatur'. A person who was known for his ability to mug up answers word to word, and was highly praised by teachers of all subjects.

Then there is always a Viru Sahatra Budhe (Virus) in all institutions. A teacher with rigid beliefs and very high qualifications in shaming students in front of the whole class. (This reminds me of one such teacher in my college but let it be)

Apart from that the friendship between the three main leads of the movie Rancho, Raju, and Farhan, their longing for one another, standing up for each other at tough times, is something we either have been in or at least seen around us during our school or college days.

It is this relatability that makes us part of their journey and makes us laugh and even emotional at times.

 

2.    Use of Symbolism:

One of the major things that stand out for me in the movie was the use of objects as symbols to depict ideas.

The one most vibrant of them all is introduced to us in the iconic scene where Virus was first introduced to us and to his new students (Feeling sad for that egg!). After giving them a long speech on 'Life is a Race' he shows them an 'Astronaut's Pen'. This Pen was given to him by the director of his institution when he was a student and according to him is a symbol of 'excellence'. He was also told to pass it on at the right time, to someone whom he'll find as excellent, competent, and extraordinary as he is. By doing so, Hirani established the Pen as a symbol of VIRUS's idea of 'over competence'. 

But what actually made the scene so iconic is that, as soon as the Pen gets introduced, Rancho questions its existence itself and thus comes one on one with the ideals of Virus which later becomes the main conflict between the two characters.

 

3.    The Conflict:

The over-competitive and rigid nature of the EducationSystem in our country forms the main crux of the movie. Through various scenes of the movie, Hirani tried to show us various flaws of this system.

·       This system promotes 'competition' over 'innovation'. Here we are teaching the students WHAT to think not HOW to think. To just mug up the things without understanding them. From the very introduction of Virus, he continuously teaches the students what they must do and continuously deny or challenge any innovation or ideas from their side (the same applies to other professors as well). For instance, in the scene where Joy Lobo tries to make a drone with a wireless camera, he clearly states that the design is 'Unrealistic' and impossible. (Guys, keep in mind the movie is based in 1999)

·       Another flaw with this system is that it promotes the mentality where WINNING is a supreme priority. If you lose there is no future for you. This mentality increases pressure and anxiety in the minds of the students and which either harms them or others. In the movie, Joy commits suicide as he was no longer able to handle this pressure, while at the same time Chatur uses the wrong means to get good grades by distracting others. Virus also tries to cheat to win the bet with Rancho (which if got successful might destroy Raju's whole carrier).

 

4.    The Message:

The most beautiful thing about this movie is not the problems it raises but the solutions it provides.

·       Firstly, it states that if you want to be successful in life stop following success BLINDLY instead built skills that will help to achieve it. In short "Chase Excellence, Success will follow." 

     This mindset promotes innovation, new ideas, and above all provides you the opportunity to do what you are good at not what society wants you to do.

·       Secondly, it promotes questioning. The whole character of Rancho represents this idea of keep questioning things instead of accepting them as they are. This attitude is a necessity for learning new things and getting new ideas to solve a problem.

·        Then come the best one "ALL IS WELL" the mantra (by Baba Ranchodhdas) to deal with pressure and fear. It teaches you that no matter how dire the situation you find yourself trapped in just put your hand on your heart and make it believe that everything is alright this will give you the strength to fight that situation and come out of it.