Xyrus Mendoza || 3 Idiots

I. INTRODUCTION
The film, 3 Idiots, is an Indian film released in December 25, 2009. The film
was written and directed by Rajkumar Hirani and was produced by Vidhu Vinod
Chopra. It won numerous awards such as six Filmfare Awards including Best Film
and three National Film Awards including Best Popular Film. Rajkumar Hirani’s
goal in directing the film was to voice out to the people how important making your
own decisions and following your dreams are, but at the same time show them
how people in India value and view education. The film was able to clearly show
the message and portray how education is in India.
The main themes and ideas I got from the film are education, friendship,
culture, passion, and poverty.Throughout the movie, it was shown how important
education is. The three main characters valued education and eventually became
close friends. It was shown in the movie that families are centered to specific
careers that they view are far better than most careers because of the salary.
Passion is the reoccurring theme in the film. It was shown throughout the film in
various ways. A person should not go through a path carved by someone else, but
create a path he deems right for himself.
II. SUMMARY
The film starts of showing one of the main protagonists boarding a plane.
He suddenly receives an urgent phone call which forced him to leave the plane.
He faked a seizure and was able to leave. His name is Farhan Qureshi. He calls
the other protagonist, Raju Rastogi, and informs him that Chatur Ramalingam
called him and said that he found Ranchoddas Chanchad, their best friend. The
scene then transitions to a flashback.
Farhan and Raju both went to the Imperial College of Engineering (ICE)
along with Rancho, their roommate. Farhan did not really want to become an
engineer. He was only forced to pursue engineering because of his father. His
father insisted Farhan in becoming an engineer because he stated that it is the
only way for him to become successful. Despite him wanting to become a wildlife
photographer, he pursued engineering. In Raju’s case, he really wanted to become
an engineer because of the status of his family. His father’s paralysis greatly
affected how they lived. His mother was the only one left providing for their family.
His father’s medical expenses went in the way of their basic needs and the
marriage of his sister. The problem with Raju was that he was constantly afraid of
outcomes and he would always ask favors in his prayers.
 The affects of Raju and Farhan’s problems were shown through how they
performed in their college. The two noticed that Rancho was really interested in
engineering and science. Rancho was different from most of the students in the
college. His way of thinking was different from what his professors expect of a
normal student. He often gave out unusual yet right answers in class which
resulted in him having conflicts with his professors. He mainly had problems with
the college’s director, Viru Sahastrabuddhe. He was nicknamed Virus by the
students.
Virus’ beliefs and way of teaching did not go well with Rancho’s views on
learning. Virus often described learning as a race. His statement made students
believe that the sole purpose of studying is to get high grades which will guarantee
them a job when they graduate. Chatur, believed in Virus’ views and accepted his
way. He was obsessed with topping exams and memorizing. Rancho believed that
studying is a process of learning and its sole purpose is for people to gain
knowledge on a certain subject which will eventually translate to the inventing of
machines that will simplify or help the work of people. This will then contribute to
the growth and development of a community.
Later in the film, Rancho finds a student named Joy Lobo throw his project
away because of Virus’ rejection. Before this, it was shown that Virus informed
Joy’s father that he was not going to graduate. Seeing Joy’s sadness and
hopelessness, Rancho decided to help him by finishing his project, but once he
finished the project and decides to show Joy, Raju Farhan and Rancho discovers
that Joy committed suicide by hanging himself. Virus’ decision to not allow Joy to
graduate killed him. In Joy’s funeral, Rancho approached Virus and attempted to
make him realize how the pressure affects students.
He criticized the way he taught which angered Virus. Because of this, Virus
called the parents of Raju and Farhan stating that them being friends with Rancho
will not benefit them throughout the year and will possibly be the reason for them
not to graduate. Rancho, Farhan, and Raju visited their families. This part of the
film showed how poverty affected families in India. It showed Rancho a significant
part of Raju and Farhan’s lives.
After this, the three gatecrashed a wedding to eat food because they were
not able to eat good food during their visits. This is when Rancho meets Pia, Virus’
daughter. Observing Pia and her fiancée, Suhas Tandon, he approaches Pia and
tells her not to marry Suhas because he clearly revolves around money. Pia then
informs Virus of the three unusual guests. Virus approached and saw his students.
 The next day, he summoned Farhan and Raju explaining to them the
consequences of being friends with Rancho by comparing their families’ incomes.
He stated that Rancho comes from a very wealthy family and that he does not
need to worry if he graduates or not because he can always lean on his family’s
fortune. After this, Raju moved to Chatur’s room. Rancho and Farhan realized how
Chatur was affecting their relationship with Raju, so they thought of a plan to
separate the two and make Raju realize that he does not want to become a person
like Chatur.
Chatur was assigned to deliver a speech in Hindi during the Teacher’s Day
celebration. Chatur not being able to speak Hindi, decides to just memorize the
speech composed by the librarian. Rancho meddles with the content of the speech
and replaces certain word that will make Chatur look stupid once he reads it during
the celebration. Chatur was humiliated after his speech and confronts Rancho. He
proposed a bet to see who is going to become more successful after ten years.
After this, Rancho sees Pia at a mall with Suhas. Pia sees him with his
invention named after this father. Rancho then explains that he does not dislike
Virus, but his way of teaching. Rancho attempted to persuade Pia into breaking up
with Suhas by making her tell Suhas that she lost her expensive watch. After
informing Suhas about the watch, Suhas showed Pia that he only cares about the
watch. Pia breaks up with him after this. Rancho received a phone call informing
him that Raju’s father needed to be transported to a hospital. He convinced Pia
into taking Raju’s father to the hospital. Raju arrives at the hospital. He was mad
at first, but then he realized the sacrifice and effort made by Rancho and
apologized for his reaction. Seeing Rancho’s kindness and genuineness, Pia falls
in love with him.
Years later, the three went out to drink one night. It was shown that Farhan
and Raju were upset because they would always get low grades every year and
Rancho would always top the class. Rancho gives the two advice on what they
should do. He stated that Farhan should follow his dream of becoming a wildlife
photographer instead of an engineer because that is his passion. He told Raju to
stop being afraid all the time and stop asking favors in his prayers. The two then
teases Rancho because he was not able to admit his feelings for Pia in the past
four years.
The three made a deal that if he confesses his feeling to Pia, Farhan would
tell his dad that he wants to become a photographer and Raju would stop mostly
relying on prayers instead of himself. Rancho decided to do it right there and then.
The three, all drunk, went through the window and Virus to get into the room of
Pia. Rancho confesses to Pia and runs out immediately when they realized that
Virus was awaken by Farhan’s noise. Virus goes out and sees a person peeing on
his door. He turns his flashlight on and sees Raju’s face. Virus alerted a guard.
The guard chased the three into one of the classrooms, but the three were able to
hide behind the desk. Rancho, Farhan, and Raju fell asleep.
They woke up to a professor giving a lecture. Virus barges in the rooms and
sees the three. Raju, still seemed drunk from the night before, obviously showed
Virus that he was the one who trespassed. After this. Virus summoned Raju and
told him that he was expelled. Virus’ proposed a deal that will endanger his friend,
Rancho. Raju then jumps out of Virus’ window, attempting to commit suicide, trying
to escape the pressure.
He did not die, but he ended up in a coma. After his recovery, he was able
to attend his job interview and Farhan was able to send his letter out to his favorite
wildlife photographer, Andre Istvan. Farhan confronted his father explaining to him
that he wanted to become a wildlife photographer. His father eventually gave him
his blessing. Because of this, Virus created a difficult exam paper that will fail Raju.
Pia knowing about his father’s scheme tried to help the three by giving Rancho a
duplicate key to Virus’ office.
Farhan and Rancho were able to retrieve the exam paper for Raju to study.
After giving Raju the paper, Raju stated that if he is going to pass the exam, he is
not going to do it by cheating. He crumpled the paper and threw it. Virus barges in
their room with guards. He picked up the crumpled paper and expels the three.
The three packed and prepared to leave. During this night, Mona, Virus’ elder
daughter, was about to give birth. They were not able to summon an ambulance
or leave the place because of the heavy storm. Rancho, Raju, and Farhan helped
them and delivered Mona’s baby. Virus thanked the three and revoked his decision
of expelling them.
Ten years later, Raju and Farhan were both living good lives. Chatur was a
vice president for a corporation in the United States. Farhan, Raju, and Chatur
goes to Rancho’s address and finds out a revelation. Rancho, their friend, was
only filling in for the real Ranchoddas Chanchad. Their friend’s name was really
Chhote. Chhote only disguised himself as Ranchoddas because he wanted to
learn. He took the opportunity. The real Ranchoddas took all of the credit.
Shocked by this, the three rushed to Pia who was about to get married. Pia
joins the three in finding Chhote. They finally arrived at Chhote’s address. What
they saw was a huge school with students running around with different inventions.
They finally meet Chhote and greet him. Chatur teased Chhote about their bet. He
then realizes that Chhote was really Phunsukh Wangdu, a world-renowned
scientist and businessman. The film ends with them running along the beach.
III. ANALYSIS
The film revolved around the importance of education. It showed how
significant education is to society. It also exposed how most people view
education. Most people view education as a gateway to a job. Most institutions
prioritize grades which makes the students strive to get good marks. They do
not study in order to learn, but to get good grades that will give them the job
they want. The film showed how studying for the sole purpose of learning is the
way to go. Having interest for something will eventually turn into passion.
Passion for something will help boost growth and development. Everyone
should focus on focusing on excellence. Success will eventually follow if the
excellence is already established.
The film also showed the relationship between friends. It showed how
important friends are and how helpful they can be in everyone’s lives. In the
film, despite everything, Rancho, Farhan, and Raju had each other’s backs. It
showed that they really cared for one another and they know when they
influence each other negatively and positively. Friends should pull each other
towards growth and success instead of pulling them down or keeping them
nailed in one spot.
Poverty was shown in the film as well. It showed how poverty in India
affected their view on education. It was shown in the film that the only way to
success is to either be a doctor or an engineer. All they really care about is
salary. They set a mind set that in order to become successful, one must have
this certain job because of the income and in order to get this job, one must
study to get good marks. Most students are compelled to pursue careers that
they do not like just because of either it is their families’ choice, or because of
their families’ financial status. Everyone should be able to pursue the dreams
that they want and not the one that is imposed on them. Getting your dream
job is no longer considered work because it is your passion and that is what
you enjoy doing.
This film made me realize that I must be sure of what I want to do in the
future and that I should care more for my friends. I must be careful of my actions
because I might affect my friends negatively. I must make sure that we pull
each other towards success. Having friends really helps because you have
people to help you with most of your problems and at the same time you have
people you can relate to. The connection and bond which are formed between
people are what I treasure. I am grateful because I have parents who are
supportive. I will not change myself for other people to like me. This film gave
me motivation and inspiration to excel. I agree with Phunsukh’s saying “Follow
excellence and success will by itself follow you”. This film also showed how
important the way you treat people is. It is not just about intelligence, but also
about how you work with and treat other people.
IV. CONCLUSION
One must always choose his passion over something that is imposed on
him because that is the way to becoming truly successful. Success is not
measured by how much you make or what company you are in. For me,
success is being able to excel at something you are good at and using that
excellence to help the community. The wealth that comes with is like a token
or prize for being able to excel in something that you enjoy doing. Achieving
success is not going to be easy so having people around such as friends can
help you boost and motivate yourself. One must also be careful of who he
surrounds himself with. There are people who can pull a person towards
success and there are people who only drag people down. We have to make
sure that the friends we surround ourselves with are people who we can trust
and depend on.