Saturday, January 16, 2010

Me, an Idiot

After almost 15 years, a movie bowled me over so much that I looked forward to watching it second time in the theater; and enjoyed it as much too.

Much has been said about it, it has been reviewed and re-reviewed by thousands of people, and has been running to full houses even in a Hindi – deprived Chennai.

Not withstanding the recycled yet stale jokes, the accusation that it is a complete copy of the Bhagat story (which claim I do not agree with, but that is not the subject matter of this post) and the absurd vacuum cleaner induced delivery, 3 Idiots is a lovable movie. More so special, because it has been filmed on home ground and brings back wonderful memories of our campus.

Great message and all that, education for the sake of education and that success will follow excellence. However, I have my reservations with how the movie defines ‘Success’ at the end of the day.

We could have done without Phunsukh Wangdu, Mr. Hirani. We could have definitely done with Chatur just walking away with the agreement signed by Rancho stating his failure and the precious pen. We could have most definitely done without Chatur having to bring down his trousers and say “Jahapanah.. Tussi great ho!” If a school full of children learning science that induces passion is not enough to define success and Rancho needs to be the scientist with those 400 patents, I really have my reservations with your take on success. ‘Butt’ah has put this thought in great perspective here.

A regional magazine in Chennai writes, “Amidst Tam movies with heroes spouting punch dialogues and portraying themselves to be larger than life comes 3 Idiots, where the story and performances bring in the victory.” Oh, no, but you are wrong my magazine friend. Aamir has just done it in style, sans the punch dialogues – psueder yet larger than life.

But, like one of my colleagues says, it is a commercial movie. The audience might be ok with the Rancho who runs a school somewhere near Leh, but they will be jumping with happiness even after they walk out of the theaters if Rancho is actually the Wangdu that companies the world over are pursuing to sign business deals with.

Maybe, even I could repeat the watch because of the feel good factor. After all, commercial movies are expected to do just that, make one feel good and idiotically happy.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, at the end of the day, it is people like Chatur who do well in their educational institutions whereas ppl like Rancho are likely to be screwed over by the profs :)

Ramya said...

seriously, its oki if its not fully form the book or inspired or adapted or neither... total entertainer and absolute feel good factor...

Balaji Vasan said...

While it is true that Rancho turning Wangdu was unnecessary, but then, its absence might send out some wrong signals to people with "Chatur"-like frame of mind, who equate success to monetary situation. For people like those, a school of that stature still does not imply success! From that angle, the end is fitting!

Kirthana said...

My take too on the movie Kavi.. You said it...

Kavity said...

@ Balaji Vasan: Aahh, well, that maybe so.. but can one make a movie that satisfies both the Chaturs and the Ranchos of the world? Maybe, 'cos the Chaturs are humongous in number, this had to be the end. Well, I really don't know.

@ Kirthana: So, you finally watched the movie! :)

J a G z said...

off all the dialogues what i liked most was Rancho's opinion on the present education system that it produces 'well- trained' people and not well educated.
a great movie to watch and a great way to realise that one has always willingly or unwillingly lived like an idiot

Kavity said...

@ vinayvasan: I agree with you, but partially. There were a few Ranchos even in our campus, the ones who did not bother to attend classes, who slept all through lectures and who did not think about RG giri, but still topped quizzes 'cos of sheer genius and not 'cos of mugging or chindi level RG giri. Not always did they get screwed by the Profs. But, they were few and hard to come across, the Chaturs always dominating the scene.

@ Jags: Still not sure whether am even 'well-trained' enough to show off a 'well-educated' facade.

Shreya said...

Phunsuk Wangdu was just so funny man. With Kareena Kapoor going hysterical with the thought of having that surname. It was hilarious, they could not have not had it. They are movie-makers, all said and done.

Kavity said...

@ Shreya: I totally empathize with Kareena not wanting Wangdu for surname, though I fail to understand how Sahastrabuddhe is much better :D

Deepa and Srinath said...

Totally spot on Kavity !! Even Taare Zameen Par ended similarly - with the little kid winning the competition finally. What about the 90% junta who DOES NOT win, because by rule everyone can't ! So our society comprises a majority of failures only is it ?

Kavity said...

Good parallel Deepa! Never thought about it! We, as a society, like hailing the winners, and since 90% of us are not winners by the traditional definition, we do like watching such fairy tale endings to stories!