3 idiots is a Bollywood film directed by Rajkumar Hirani in 2009 starring Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi. It was on screen in Hong Kong cinemas from September 2011 to March 2012. The film begins with Farhan (R. Madhavan) and Raju (Sharman Joshi) on a journey together searching for Rancho (Aamir Khan), who disappears after their graduation at Imperial College of Engineering (ICE). On their journey, they recall their college life and how Rancho helps them to realise their dreams and find meanings in life.
The film has received positive comments since its screening in Hong Kong . As mentioned in the film poster in Hong Kong , 3 idiots has made a new record high in box office of Bollywood. Before watching 3 idiots, my family and friends said it has moments of joy, laughter, tears...- all aspects in life, which I agree after watching it. The reason for its popularity in Hong Kong and presumably around the world is because of its representation of reality that is, the competitive society in which exists misery and success in life as illustrated by the stories of the protagonists.
The genres of 3 idiots are comedy and love. For the genre of comedy, it manages to link with audiences’ humor experiences. For example, there is a scene when the exam invigilator refuses to accept examination papers from Rancho, Farhan and Raju, who turned in late, Rancho makes fool of the invigilator by mixing the pile of submitted exam papers. Such mischief may resonate some of our behaviours from time to time. Furthermore, "All is well", a song with optimistic lyrics with chanting melody and upbeat whistles create a joyful atmosphere. For the genre of love, it is the relationship between Rancho and Pia that has not been smooth until the end. Ranchos at some point after graduation pursuits his dream to help and inspire children and become a teacher rather than an engineer; For Pia, it is her engagement with her arranged fiancé and her father's rejection towards Rancho. Although the film reflects personal choices and struggles between dreams and reality, such narrative echoes much of today's uneasy relationships.
The film represents products of the capitalist society. For example, Pia’s (Kareena Kapoor) fiancé is portrayed as a stereotypical image of a materialistic person who only cares about his wealth and expensive gadgets over his relationship with Pia. Their relationship did fell apart later when Pia realised her dreams with Rancho and manages to escape from her wedding with the help of Farhan and Raju. Other representations are the attitudes of learning which can be found in reality. Rancho’s attitude of learning with understanding for interest is opposite to Ramalingam’s learning with mechanically memorisation for grades. To certain of extent, Rancho’s attitude is a resistance of the reality where it has long been competition and climbing up the social ladder. Moreover, the atmosphere of studying, different attitudes of learning and experiences in job interviews are collective memories for people who have studied or are studying and people who have sought or are seeking jobs.
Overall, 3 idiots has managed to illustrate the reality of society as well as the odds who overcome stereotypes and social conformity of today’s society. It has thus made itself one of the popular films around the world for these qualities.
By MAN Kin Wo, Wilson
Student No.: 10495630/ 20863881
The article provides a precise and concise review of various social issues depicted in the popular cultural text. It examines the film in a few dimensions such as the some memorable scenes, the main characters, and the typical features of the hybridized genre, etc. The examples cited are valid and appropriate, which enable you to uncover some connotations of the cultural symbols/practices appeared in the film.
ReplyDeleteYou may consider analyzing the film in the context of Hong Kong, which can make the review more “relevant” to us. For example, you have mentioned about the “learning atmosphere” and “experience in job interviews” which act as collective memories of audiences, perhaps you can elaborate this point a bit and relate them to its popularity among general (or a particular group of) Hong Kong people.