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Rohit Kumar Vishwakarma

Introduction to Critical Thinking

Shantam Goyal

22 Oct. 2018

Life is a race

The movie 3 Idiots is just a comedy-drama, released in 2009. It gives very deep central

idea about the education system i,e. grading is not the only mark of success, but experience and

deep knowledge is important. The director of the movie Mr. Rajkumar Hirani tries to figure

out many things about the troubles of youth during their education time, like teaching and

learning strategy, decision making ability, races in the life and so on. In this paper I will argue

that success cannot be measured by marks whereas one has to have a thirst for knowledge to

be successful.

This movie is about three engineering students, who are the best friends, Rancho (Amir Khan),

Farhan (R. Madhwan) and Raju (Sharman Joshi). These characters represent the purpose of

different students for studying as Farhan is studying engineering to fulfil his family's wishes;

Raju comes from a poor family and being an engineer will pull his family from poverty; and

Rancho is studying because he is passionate about engineering. This movie has also been

awarded by many awards like, Filmfare Award, National Film Award, IIFA Award, GIMA

Award and Star Guild Award for the best film, best story, best dialogues, best director, and

background music.

In the review published by Live Mint, Sanjukta Sharma says that, “The message of the film,

which is that our education system is antithetical to free thought and knowledge, is an easy one
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to relate to.” In the review published by Glamsham, Martin D’souza mentions that “The staid,

mechanical ways in which education is imparted where students are like machines.” According

to these arguments our education system believes that beings the insects of the book is enough

for getting good marks in the exams. Students are forced to write the answers in the exams as

it is written in the book. That’s why students learn the definitions line by line, but they did not

understand the exact meaning. It can help them in scoring good marks, but it does not lead the

students to the success. In the movie Rancho tells the definition of the machine in a simple

language using the examples around him to make its meaning clear, but professor does not

accept his answer. On the other hand, Chatur Ramlingham recites the definition of machine

same as it is written in the book, and professor becomes impressed. Again, Rancho tells his

friends that do not chase the success while chase the excellence, success will come to you itself.

If we are learning the things for scoring, then it is just like the work of a machine. Students

should follow the book, but they should also think over the things. They should make their own

understandings and arguments on the topics due to which they will get it more precisely.

Considering the theme of the movie, in the review published by Weekend Notes, Chrissy says

that, “The film draws on themes of filial piety, obedience, friendship and the importance of

following your heart. It also subtly hints that perhaps while we study, not all of us learn.” A

student’s relatives, friends and family members keep many wishes from him. They suggest him

to take possession of the job according to them, but if he wants something different then he

will not get the real happiness if he’ll do according to them. Due to lack of interest gaining the

100% will not be possible whatever he will study. This movie teaches that, “Do not try to come

out clean on everyone’s wishes while listen what your heart says.” In the review published by

Hindustan Times, Mayank Shekhar says that,” …he’ll have to spend an entire life somehow

liking what he does, over doing what he likes. What people wants in his life is happiness. They

think somehow success provides happiness, but this movie gives the best advice to be happy
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in the life. You may have ability to do many jobs but unless you know that there would be one

job which really makes you happy. You must choose that job. Farhan’s father forces him to

study engineering, but his interest is in photography. So, what if he becomes an engineer, he

will not perform his job passionately. He will imprecate his father for whole life, but if he

becomes a photographer, he will be so much dedicated to his job. Ultimately, he will feel free

in doing the job and stay happy and this is the name of success.

The most powerful mantra used in this movie is All is well. Rancho follows this three-word

mantra and suggests his friends to follow it in their malapropos, because it gives virility to face

the problems. People may have problems but sitting alone and thinking over it is not the

solution. This movie helps to understand the problems and make a right decision to overcome.

Overall “3 Idiots” is one of the best motivational movies, as it makes the audience humorous

on the other hand it conveys a powerful message about how valuable our friends can be when

they push us toward reaching our own highest potential. Its main motto is to concentrate the

audience’s mind on the education system which rates the success over marks. What are the

benefits if you passed the exam by rote memorization. The things will remain in the mind only

for a while, but excellence comes through practical knowledge, deep understanding of things

and it remains forever in the brain. Success demands such excellence. It is the number one

movie for quite a while at the box-office. Hirani managed to give an excellent entertainer with

a subtle message one more time as he did in Munna Bhai (MBBS). This is the sort of movie

you’ll take home with a smile and a song on your lips, unless the hype has entirely messed up

with your expectations and you will never deny watching it once more.
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Work Sited

Chrissy. “Comedic Capers.” Weekend Notes, www.weekendnotes.com/3-idiots-movie-

review/ Accessed on 22Oct. 2018.

D’souza, Martin. “3 Idiots Movie Review”. Glamsham,

www.glamsham.com/movies/reviews/24-3-idiots-movie-review-120901.asp,Accessed

on 22 Oct. 2018

“Film Review of 3 Idiots” Media studies Marked by teachers, www.markedbyteachers.com/as-

and-a-level/media-studies/film-review-of-3-3idiots.html, Accessed on 22 Oct. 2018.

Kempin Jason. “3 Idiots- Film Review.” Hollywood Reporter,

www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/3-idiots-film-review-93817, Accessed on 22 Oct.

2018.

Shekhar Mayank. “Review: 3 Idiots.” Hindustan Times, www.hindustantimes.com/movie-

reviews/mayank-shekahar-s-review-3idiots/story-gDZrlRRLujlQf4GkwyWol.html,

Accessed on 22 Oct. 2018.

V. Harish. “3 Idiots Movie Review.” Behind Woods,

www.behindwoods.com/bollywood/hindi-movie-reviews/reviews-1/3-idiots-amir-

khan-madhavan.html, Accessed on 22 Oct. 2018