"3 IDIOTS"

Your reflections on the 3 characters, which one would you choose?

 “All is well.” This is the first thing that comes to every mind when we talk about the movie “3 Idiots”. 3 Idiots is a Bollywood film, a film that is produced, casted, written, and taken in India. The movie is one of the top grossing movies in India and it reached box office hit upon its release. It was also announced that there will be a Chinese remake of this movie that will be produced by Stephen Chow and there was also a plan for an American version of this movie soon. The story of the movie is centred to the lives of 3 young engineering students of Imperial College of Engineering in India. These students are Ranchhoddas “Rancho” Shamaldas Chanchad or Phunsukh Wangdu (which is portrayed by Aamir Khan), Farhan Qureshi (which is portrayed by R. Madhavan), and Raju Rastogi (which is portrayed by Sharman Joshi). They shared the same room when they entered the campus. The three of them have different personalities, but they get along together so well.

Ranchhoddas “Rancho” Shamaldas Chanchad / Phunsukh Wangdu, which is portrayed by Aamir Khan, is a very intelligent student. He is so persistent. He knows what he really wants in life. He is free spirited person. He acts to the things that he knows he is right. He loves machines and devices. He loves fixing things, inventing useful machines, and he loves engineering. His character stands out the most of the three. He helps his friends and colleagues in times that they needed help. He taught his friends to have confidence, to believe in their selves, to believe in their dreams, and to never quit. At the very last part of the movie, it was revealed that he is just borrowing someone’s name. He is not the real Ranchhoddas “Rancho” Shamaldas Chanchad, his real name is Phunsukh Wangdu. He is an orphan. His deceased father was once a hardener to the Chanchad family. He was taken by the family. He used to wear the real Rancho’s school uniform when he was in elementary. Because of his intelligence, the real Rancho asked him to do his assignments, get to his classes, and take examinations, quizzes and many more. The young Phunsukh Wangdu only wishes to study and be educated. For him, it doesn’t matter if he was used as long as he continued being at school and learn more. They continued the scheme for years until a teacher have seen him answering an advance mathematical equation. The teacher asked him what is his name, and that is the time when they were caught. The teacher has talked to the real Rancho’s father who is very influential in their country. After hearing the news, the real Rancho’s father asked the teacher to keep the secret and let the young Phunsukh Wangdu to replace his son, Ranchhoddas “Rancho” Shamaldas Chanchad. The father knew that this might bring shame for the family, but what he only wanted is that his son to have a degree even if it was not his own effort to earn one. The father doesn’t want his child to be known as dumb, dull and illiterate. So they continued the replacing scheme until Phunsukh Wangdu who is known as Ranchhoddas “Rancho” Shamaldas Chanchad throughout the university, reached and graduated college.

I was really touched with what Phunsukh Wangdu (also known as Ranchhoddas “Rancho” Shamaldas Chanchad inside Imperial College of Engineering or ICE) said to his newly met friend who is also his roommate, Raju Rastogi. He said that if he feels uneasy or troubled, just place your hand to your chest near your heart and say this line, “All is well”. He even added that these words won’t take his problems away but this will make him braver to face any of his problems. I was touched simply because, sometimes in my life, I felt so weak that I almost wanted to quit. I can’t bare anymore the problems that I have been through and the problems that I have at this point of my life. I easily get pressured many times. Pressure that came from your parents and in my school. But after hearing this line made me realize that if I quit, if I runaway my problems, I won’t solve any of it. The problem might get bigger and bigger. But if I face it fearlessly, I’ll solve it and put an end on it. I was also struck with what Phunsukh Wangdu, as Rancho at that time, told his friend, Farhan Qureshi. He said that, he must pursue his dream for this will make you happy and contented. If he loves photography that much, then he must strive hard to reach it even if it takes to have a debate with his father. With this, I have thought many times, if I did the right choice of choosing Information Technology to be my profession. Because if I did, I know my light will shine so bright in this field. His character also teaches not only the characters in the movie but also the people who have watched this movie to stay strong, to be tough and be wise to which career will you take because you can’t ask God to leap backwards to correct something from your past.

Ranju Rastogi, which is portrayed by Sharman Joshi, is a very responsible person. He is family-oriented. He is religious. He always asked God for guidance and many more. And he believed in lucky charms and things that might give good fortune, he even wore plenty of lucky rings for good fortune in studying. He is dedicated. He wanted to help his family to live a better life. Unlike Ranchhoddas “Rancho” Shamaldas Chanchad and Farhan Qureshi, Ranju Rastogi is very poor. His father is very sick. His sister is not yet married because they can’t afford a car as a dowry. His mother is a retired teacher but all her pension is spent for the medication of his sick father. Because of this, Ranju Rastogi has the desire to finish schooling, to have good grades, and to have a well paid job. He is intelligent, too. But he was considered one of the dumb students in the whole university. He is the most serious person from the three. He always got scared easily. He has this fear to fail because he is the only hope of his family. There was actually a time when he left his friends and went to another room, Chatur Ramalingam room (also known as “Silencer” by his colleagues) which is played by Omi Vaidya who is very good in memorizing things from books word for word, to study and prepare for the upcoming examination. He did this because the college’s director, Professor Viru Sahastrabudhhe (very well known as “Virus” throughout the campus) which is portrayed by Boman Irani who is also the director of the Imperial College of Engineering, have given him a piece of advice. He told Raju to stay away from Rancho and Farhan if he wanted to pass and have good grades. Ranju did what he was told.   He did everything and no one could ever blame him for that, not even his friends. Rancho and Farhan understands Ranju’s actions. Instead of feeling bad with his decision, they continued helping him.

One of the most touching part, I guess, all through out the movie is when Ranju decided to jump off the building. Why would he do that? Well it is because he does not want to fail and will never let his friends fail, too. He was pressured at that time. Before that suicidal act, Ranju and Farhan were called at the centre of the stage by the campus director. They were called to embarrass them to the crowd and said that the two of them are the most consistent students, for they always have been ranked at the last 2 places while Rancho always ranked first. Due to frustration, the three drank liquor inside the campus. Ranju and Farhan asked Rancho why he does not fail even they are doing the same thing. Then Rancho told them that it is because he loves machines and being an engineer is really his thing. Unlike Farhan, who loves taking pictures and have passion in photography, Rancho has passion in engineering. For Ranju, it does not make sense. Ranju wanted to become an engineer but why does he fail? For Farhan, the problem is his lack of interest to the course that is why he failed so it is understandable. Then Rancho answered, because of fears. Ranju is dreaded with pressure. It can be the pressure at school, caused by his teachers and the director it self, and pressure from his family, caused by their poverty. Because they are all drunk, they went to the director’s place to let Rancho confess his feelings towards Pia Sahastrabudhhe, the daughter of Professor Viru Sahastrabudhhe, the director of the campus. Ranju and Farhan told Rancho that he should prove that he is not scared by telling Pia Sahastrabudhhe his true feelings. Rancho likes Pia who is a medical student. So, the three went there. Rancho and Ranju went up to the second floor while Farhan was left down stairs. Rancho was able to confess but Pia’s sister was there, too, and surprised them. Ranju was taken aback and fell off the window. Down stairs, Farhan and Ranju peed to the door and sings aloud. And that awakens the director and saw Ranju clear enough to identify that it was Ranju. The next day, the director called Ranju’s attention and told him to go to his office. Inside the office, Ranju was asked to type everything that he says. Ranju did it but he realized that what he was making is a notification letter for his parents saying that he will never finish schooling in ICE (Imperial College of Engineering). Ranju was shocked and could not believe it. Then the director said that he will forgive him but he must address the letter to Rancho’s parents. Ranju was even more confused. He does not know what to do. Because of his confusion and fears, he decided to kill himself. He jumped of to that building. Everyone was shocked. His decision to commit suicide was a very wretched way to solve his problems. He cares for his friends and would not want to be the reason of his friends’ failure.

It is very common for every student to feel so bad because he failed. Because of weakness, someone would actually think of suicide. In reality, this is really happening. We can’t dictate anyone, but what we can do is to not leave them behind. Just like what Rancho did, he never left his friends’ side. When Ranju was hospitalized, they were always there. They talked to him like he was not paralysed at all. When talking to Ranju, they always put a smile and hide their loneliness seeing him in that condition.  For me, personally, I am weak but it never even crossed my mind to commit suicide. I have failed many times but I never quit.

Farhan Qureshi, which is portrayed by R. Madhavan, is a very obedient person. Even though he always ranked at the last, we can’t say that Farhan is dumb. He is intelligent. He is also a good friend. He always gives importance to his father’s decisions. It was his father’s decision to take up engineering. It was not his decision. What he wanted to do is photography. He loves taking pictures of wild animals. Rancho even noticed his talent when they went to Farhan’s house. Rancho saw all his pictures inside his room. Those photographs are very beautiful. But unfortunately, Farhan’s father never has noticed his son’s talents, capabilities, and his works. Farhan never speak out what he really feels, what he really likes, and what he wanted to do for his future to his father. He was stuck to his father’s shadow. He was so scared of telling them the truth. Farhan’s family is not that reach like Rancho’s family (when we talk about the identity of the real Rancho that Phunsukh Wangdu borrowed). Farhan’s family is not even as poor as Ranju’s family. Because of that, Farhan have never felt of hardship that much. The half of the whole movie is about Farhan’s flashbacks during their college years. Farhan and Raju are both looking for Rancho who is missing for a long time (it was after 10 years, I guess). It was so amazing that Farhan even acted that he was having a heart attack during the plane’s departure. The flight stewardess freaked out and asked the pilot to delay the flight to give Farhan a medical attention. After that, Farhan was sent out of the plane and about to be taken to the nearest hospital by the ambulance in the airport. It is so funny that while he was on the wheelchair, he suddenly stood up and does some jumping jacks for many times. Shocked faces painted to the doctor and some airport crews at that time. When Farhan saw an opening, he then ran so fast out to the airport. He did all this things because he wanted to see his friend who they have no connections for hoe many years.  

Actually, I could relate my self to Farhan. Among the three, I will choose Farhan because his personality fits mine. It is not that I was forced to enrol this course but I considered my parent’s part in my decision. My parents wanted me to have a degree and to have a well-paid job someday (actually, for them, it doesn’t matter of what course should I take but what their concern is the tuition and miscellaneous fees). I have always wanted to become an animator since elementary years. At the same time, I have also dreamed of becoming a pilot but because of the height requirements I have accepted to my self that I can’t be a pilot. So I have changed my mind. What I want after is to become an aircraft technician. I have these two ambitions that I really, really want to do in the future. And that is why, back in my high school days, I have set my plans for the future. I have thought that I will study in an aviation school and become an aircraft mechanic or technician. I was also thinking that I still have plenty of time, and studying animation is not that hard (actually, back then, what I meant of being an animator is being an artist). I love to draw and I also love anime that is why I have come up to an idea of becoming an animator after becoming an aircraft technician. But then my parent won’t agree to the idea. They told me that studying to an aviation school is expensive especially there are no school in Davao City that offers quality education for aviation. My father told me that if I want to study aircraft technician, I should enrol to an aviation school in Cebu. Because of these matter, I followed my parents’ decision (because even though I haven’t decide what course and school to take, they already told me that I will choose a course that is available in the University of Southeastern Philippines). I have chosen to take up Information Technology because this is the nearest course to my dream of becoming an animator. I can also relate myself to Farhan because just like him, I am also a caring friend.
The part when Mona Sahastrabudhhe, Pia’s sister, was about to give birth to her first son, gave the most powerful part of the story. Pia and her father quarrelled before Mona felt that her baby is coming out. It was raining at that time and the campus was flooded. Because of that, Mona can’t be sent to the nearest hospital. Instead of going to the hospital, Rancho (who was forced to leave the school at that time due to stealing the questionnaire inside the director’s office) saw Mona inside a car asking for help. Rancho took Mona inside the residence of the Imperial College of Engineering. Rancho called the attention of the other students who might help him. The whole student’s body helped out. They have shown team effort in helping Mona. They also called Pia who is a medical practitioner to help them what to do. All of them worked out and Mona was able to deliver a baby boy who they named Champ. Champ was not crying, and that made everyone sad thinking that the baby is dead. Mona cried and Ranju told her that “all is well”. After saying those words, the baby kicked Rancho in the face then Rancho asked everyone to say “all is well” together. Then, after that, the baby kicked again and cried. Everyone looked so happy that the baby was alive. The director was very emotional and has given respect to Rancho afterwards by giving the space pen that his instructor gave him before. This part shows team work and good leadership. I was very much amazed on how they have solved and helped out a woman who has this difficulty in giving birth. Everything about this part is amazing (amazing because the director who was once against Rancho has given respect and honour).  

These three characters do not reflect only engineering students but all students in college. They have shown the reality in studying for a degree. For the first time that I have watched this movie together with my brothers, I have noticed the teary reaction of my brother. My brother is an engineer now. He was a fresh graduate as we watched this movie for the first time. While watching, my brother laughed and told stories about his own experiences when he was still studying. He told us that there was a time that they entered the class drunk, just like what had happened in the movie. He even told us that it is normal to have strict professor just like the campus director, Prof. Viru Sahastrabudhhe. He even told us that they have named there professors any names that they could think of. Seeing him like that, I could actually say that whatever had happened in the movie has this real life basis. That made this movie top grossing and very famous to many college students.