3 IDIOTS (Rajkumar Hirani, 2009)

           Co-written, edited and directed by Rajkumar Hirani, 3 Idiots is a 2009 Bollywood dramedy (comedy-drama) film that is loosely based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel Five Point Someone. This film is primarily a tale of friendship as it follows the story of three friends, namely Farhan, Raju and Rancho, that met during their time at the fictional, Imperial College of Engineering. The film starts a decade after their graduation, with Farhan and Raju desperately in search of Rancho after receiving information regarding his whereabouts following his disappearance 10 years prior.

            While the duo is hot on the trail of their missing friend, their meeting with Rancho and their college life are told in intermittent flashbacks. We learn that each of the trio had different reasons for pursuing a diploma in engineering. Both Farhan and Raju were doing it out of feeling responsible for their families such as having to fulfill an expectant father’s wishes and improve a financially-starved family’s situation. Not only that, harsh realities of India’s dog-eat-dog, mindless rote-learning education system that contribute to the rising suicide rate among youngsters in the country are unveiled (Phani Sarma & Kavya, 2010, p. 3). This is where the talented, free spirited Rancho comes in and inspires the people around him as well as the viewers with his optimistic outlook on life.

            Serious talk about the film’s underlying message aside, the conventions of popular Indian cinema will be the main topic of discussion in this essay. Trademark conventions include characters randomly bursting into song and dance and exaggerated pantomimic style of acting (“Bollywood”, 2011, para. 1), in which pantomimic refers to the technique of expressing emotion, actions, feelings, etc. through mere gestures (Pantomime, n.d.).

. Recurring interventions in the narrative for song and dance routines is something that is unmistakably Bollywood, and while many general Western viewers regard them as a nonsensical excuse for spectacle and emotion; it is actually of utmost importance in establishing a narrative of spectacles that is always shifting as well as blending moods together (Buchanan & MacCormack, 2008, p. 79). Some in-movie examples are the songs “Give Me Some Sunshine”, “All Izz Well” and “Zoobi Doobi”. The former is a sad song that has a forlorn vibe, which is performed by one of the trio’s friend (Joy) after he is greatly demoralized by the college’s unmerciful dean (ViruS). The latter two are exhilarating songs complete with energetic dance routines, the first one portraying Rancho’s infectious optimism in overcoming life obstacles while the second one depicts Pia (Rancho’s love interest) falling in love with him.  

              The stylized pantomimic style of acting is also subjected to critiques for being much too over-the-top. This, coupled with the little consideration for narrative continuity for the sake of song and dance sequences, gives Western viewers the impression that Bollywood films are generally escapist and exploitative (“Bollywood”, 2011, para. 6). Not only that, local film critics seem to express self-loathing for their country’s ridiculous approach to filmmaking (“Bollywood”, 2011, para. 12). However, it is important to note that these elite upper-middle class critics are not the targeted viewers of the films (“Bollywood”, 2011, para. 14). Whether or not these conventions seem applicable may also vary according to the dominant genre of the movie. In the case of 3 Idiots (Rajkumar Hirani, 2009), the aforementioned conventions are fitting as the film is almost purely a comedy film save some incredibly touching and heart-warming scenes and the romantic subplot.  

            The eccentric approach to filmmaking which Bollywood employs is not without reason. Staying true to its sense of nationalist pride and spirit of kinship (“Bollywood”, 2011, para. 1), the use of pantomimic acting style enhances the emotional impact of the film on its viewers. This enables the Indian viewers to develop a sense of brotherhood solidarity among themselves while watching the film and their collective involvement is retained by bringing in spectacles. It is as if Bollywood films are a form of community bonding.

. Despite having early influences from Hollywood musicals back in the late 1940s (Morcom, 2011, p. 63), Bollywood have long departed from the First World national cinema. While Hollywood strives for realistic, dramatic substance, Bollywood is more inclined to spicing up their narratives with exaggerated pantomimic style acting and spectacles that resonates with the strong value of kinship, duty and social obligation which the middle and lower-class Indians possess. 3 Idiots (Rajkumar Hirani, 2009) is by far one of the most successful Bollywood films to take the world by storm, and if you have not seen it already, there is no doubt that you should do so now.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bollywood: The Communal Spirit of India. (2011, August 16). Retrieved August 17, 2014, from http://dafilmschool.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/bollywood-the-communal-spirit-of-india/

Buchanan, I., & MacCormack, P. (2008). Spectacle and Spaghetti Western. In Deleuze and the Schizoanalysis of Cinema (No ed., pp. 75 - 88). New York: Continuum.

Morcom, A. (2011). An understanding between Bollywood and Hollywood? The meaning of Hollywood-style music in Hindi films. British Forum for Ethnomusicology, 10(1), 63-84.

Pantomime [Def. 1]. (n.d.) Dictionary.com. Retrieved August 17, 2014, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pantomimic

Phani Sarma, N., & Kavya, B. (2010). A brief review of the plot. Movie Analysis - 3Idiots, 1-12. Retrieved August 16, 2014, from http://phanisarma.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/assgn_3.pdf