In today’s weekend blog I am writing about a Bollywood film which is considered among the top 10 films. This film was released at the end of first decade of this millennium, ie in Dec 2009. When this film opened in the theatres no spectator had the idea about what is going to be in the film, and the story of the film is on which subject. This was director’s 3rd film to be released, and his earlier 2 films were on very different subjects, and both the earlier films were super hits business wise and were also acclaimed by critics. During pre release campaign of the film, the hero of the film was travelling in different disguises to various part of the country and mingling with normal people. And when after the first show audience came out of the theatre, the comment was that it is altogether different film on very relevant topic. Up till now you must have guessed the name of the film, yes I am talking about Raj Kumar Hirani directed film 3 Idiots.
The main theme of the film is about modern education system. The film starred Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R Madhvan, Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani in the main roles. Within one week of release the film was declared super super hit and this was first Indian film to do the business of more than Rs 200 Cr in the country during first run. Now some unknown facts about this film:
1 Director Raj Kumar Hirani’s first 2 films Munnabhai MBBS (2003) and Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) were based on the exploits of lead character of the these films Munnabhai, a gangster (enacted by Sanjay Dutt). Contrary to everyone’s’s expectations that his 3rd film will also be on Munnabhai, but 3 Idiots turned out to be on total different topic.
2 You may not be aware that the role of Munnabhai was first offered to Shahrukh Khan but he refused. Even in this film the role of Rancho was first offered to him and again this time also Shah Rukh refused on the pretext of dates not available. Then Aamir Khan was approached, who said yes. Now it is very difficult to imagine some body other than Aamir could have done the role of college student. After the film’s release Shah Rukh commented that he is the 4th idiot.
3 After the release 2 films on Munnabhai, Kareena Kapoor desperately wanted to work with Raj Kumar Hirani, and when she knew that he is starting 3 Idiots, she went to him and said that she wants to work in this film. Raj Kumari Hirani agreed because he knew that for the heroine’s role she is more than suitable.
3 For the roles which were enacted by R Madhvan and Sharman Joshi, actors like Saif Ali Khan, Arshad Warsi and John Abraham were considered. It is good that they did not accept the role because barring Saif Ali Khan, other 2 would have been misfit for the role of Engineering student.
4 The story of 3 Idiot is partly based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel Five point someone. In the film there is dialogue which is spoken by Aamir Khan, who is commenting on supposed to be fiancé of Kareena Kapoor, and it is “ Pehle engineering ki, phir MBA kiya aur ab bank mein naukari kar raha hai”. This is exactly what Chetan Bhagat did in his real life.
5 While shooting the film, Raj Kumar Hirani first shot the other scenes and in the last schedule he shot all the scenes of college.
6 In the film Imperial College Engineering (ICE) is shown, but actually it is the campus of Indian institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore. Similarly all the hospital scenes were shot in Fortis hospital, Noida near Delhi.
7 In a film there is a scene Where Aamir, Madhvan and Sharman are shown drinking. On the suggestion of Aamir Khan, for showing reality in their speech they actually drank real hard drink, and they became really tipsy and gave takes after takes, and in the process raw film in the camera was exhausted and shooting got suspended.
8 There was scene in the film where a student is trying to make a Drone for his project but could not complete, which was later completed by Aamir and in the film and he flew the drone. This part of the scene was suggested by actress Diya Mirza, and her contribution was acknowledged in the end credits with Big Thanks.
9 In the film it is shown that Aamir Khan is always moving from here to there and never standing at one place. This Aamir did it intentionally to show how today’s generation is so restless.
10 The pregnancy scene was originally conceived for Munnabhai MBBS, but it could not be used in that film. The same scene with modifications was picturised in this film.
11 In the later part of the film it is shown that Rancho is really Phunsuk Wangdoo, who is great scientist/inventor. This character is based on Sonam Wanchuk, a real life teacher who runs a school in Ladhak.
12 3 Idiots remake was made in Tamil and Mexican language. In 2016 Raj Kumar Hirani had announced that he is working on the sequel of this film, but till date nothing has happened.
So friends these were some facts about fil 3 Idiots, hope you enjoyed reading the same.
Waiting for your feed backs/comments/views.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
28th Feb 2020.