Film Review of 3 Idiots

Introduction

3 Idiots, a Bollywood film directed by Rajkumar Hirani, is a delightful blend of comedy, drama, and romance, all while tackling the serious issues of the Indian education system. The film, released in 2009, stars Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi, who play the roles of three engineering students at the prestigious Imperial College of Engineering.

Plot and Characters

The film revolves around the lives of Farhan Qureshi (Madhavan), Raju Rastogi (Joshi), and Ranchoddas ‘Rancho’ Shamaldas Chanchad (Khan). The narrative unfolds through Farhan’s perspective, who, pressured by his parents, is pursuing an engineering degree despite his passion for wildlife photography. Raju, coming from a poverty-stricken family, views education as a way out of his economic hardships. Rancho, the ‘idiot’ who questions conventional wisdom and the education system, encourages his friends to follow their passions.

Themes and Symbolism

3 Idiots is not just a film about friendship and love; it delves deeper into the societal pressure faced by students in India. It criticizes the rote-learning system, which stifles creativity and encourages competition over understanding. Rancho, the heart of the movie, symbolizes rebellion against this system. He believes in understanding concepts rather than memorizing textbooks, a philosophy that is reflected in his famous dialogue, “Don’t chase success; chase excellence and success will follow.”

Performances and Direction

The performances by the lead actors are commendable. Aamir Khan, as Rancho, steals the show with his charismatic and convincing portrayal. Madhavan and Joshi deliver solid performances, successfully capturing the essence of their characters. The supporting cast, including Kareena Kapoor and Boman Irani, also contribute significantly to the narrative.

Rajkumar Hirani’s direction is top-notch. He successfully manages to blend humour with serious issues, creating a film that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. The screenplay is tight, with each scene contributing to the overall narrative.

Impact and Conclusion

3 Idiots is more than a movie; it’s a critique of the Indian education system and a call for change. It encourages students to break free from societal norms and pursue their passions. The film’s impact was such that it sparked debates about the need for education reform in India.

In conclusion, 3 Idiots is a must-watch film that beautifully encapsulates the struggles of Indian students. It’s a brilliant mix of humor, drama, and social commentary, making it a cinematic masterpiece that resonates with audiences even today.

Film Review of Dangal

 

Story: Dangal is about Mahavir Singh Phogat (Aamir Khan) and his two daughters Geeta (Fatima Sana Shaikh) and Babita (Sanya Malhotra). Mahavir’s dream is to have a son who he hopes to nurture and train, so that he becomes a top wrestler, who can win medals for the country. His dream is shattered when he and his wife (character played by Sakshi Tanwar) are blessed only with daughters. Mahavir later realises that his daughters are stronger than most boys in the locality. He decides to train them, hoping that they can someday win gold medals for the country. The story has many other angles including the one where Mahavir realises that his vision may not actually be best for his two champion daughters.

Review: Dangal is one of those films that has a lot to offer, so much that it’s difficult to absorb it all in the first viewing. Not only is the film entertaining, but it also serves up an inspiring life-journey of two daughters who are put through rigorous sessions of training and hard work, only to eventually learn to take their own decisions and even better their own champion father. Dangal has life-lessons, but the film never gets preachy. The wrestling sequences can get boring after a point, but it has humour and emotions to keep the audience involved throughout. Nitesh Tiwari excels both as the co-writer and director, it’s easily the best film of his career.

Dangal shines when it comes to the technical aspects of the film. The cinematography (Sethu Sriram) is top notch, the heartland of India and the rustic feel of its beautiful villages has been captured in the best possible way. Editing (Ballu Saluja) could have been better, the length should have been shorter as Dangal feels a little longer than it should. The music (Pritam) is excellent and blends well into the film.

Acting: Aamir Khan is outstanding as Mahavir Singh Phogat. Words cannot describe the amount of effort that the actor has put into Dangal. Whether it’s his dialogue delivery, expressions or body language, Aamir gets everything right. The rest of the actors are perfectly cast too. Fatima, Sanya and Sakhi Tanwar are brilliant in their roles. The child actors play their parts very well too.

Overall, Dangal is one of the best films of 2016. Aamir’s performance and effort alone more than deserves the price of the movie ticket. It may not be a film that would be liked by those who seek an out-an-out entertainer, but Dangal is an experience that should not be missed. More so when 2016 has been a disastrous year when it comes to quality of films.