By Sangeeta Kumar

On a recent Indian viewers' choice awards ceremony for Hindi movies, the host lampooned seasoned critics by quoting some unforgiving reviews for films that went on to be blockbusters including Khalid Mohammed’s harsh dismissal of the legendary ‘Sholay’ back in 1975. The purpose of the exercise was to illustrate that no correlation existed between a bad review and a film’s greatness (qualified solely by box-office receipts). This logic is warped. Ringing cash registers signify a successful business venture not brilliant film-making.

The verdict on 3 Idiots, a Reliance BIG film, is in and commercially anyways, it is a success by any measure. However, a great film it is not.

The film starts with two friends Farhan and Raju (Madhavan and Sharman Joshi) embarking on a journey to reunite with their inimitable, non-conformist friend Rancho (Aamir Khan) who disappears after graduation. You guessed it – they’re the 3 Idiots. Rancho had been instrumental in Farhan and Raju actualizing their dreams.

Along the way they traverse memories of college life. From their first days as students at a prestigious engineering school in Delhi to their graduation we’re subjected to messaging tinged with sophomoric humor. Rancho, as the leader of the pack, earns the wrath of the college principal, Viru Sahastabuddhe (Boman Irani). Boman’s attempt at portraying a quirky genius falls short and he comes across as unstable, rigid and petty – all fine qualities one might expect in the head of a premier institution! His daughter Pia (Kareena Kapoor) becomes Rancho’s love interest. Kareena is definitely eye candy but her role is stunted.

While the first half of the film is redeemable, the second half of the film is its undoing. All seminal scenes seem rushed and melodramatic.

A movie needn’t be high-brow to be celebrated but 3 Idiots verges on being insufferably didactic rather than a provocative or incisive expose on India’s educational system. The key scenes do not illustrate the issues with any conviction. There have been far more compelling Hindi movies films released in the past two years. Aamir, one of the best of Hindi cinema, has managed to lower the bar for himself with 3 Idiots.

See it, if you must, for the beautiful stark scenery in the climax and to enjoy the song ‘Zooby Dooby’.