If you ask me to describe this movie in one word, I have this to say; "WOW". It’s a movie which would keep your mind engrossed long after you have left the theater. It’s a movie which comes in the league of Munna Bhai MBBS, RDB, Lagaan etc. Now you can imagine how much I liked it to shower it with such eulogies. It’s a definite watch for every moviegoer. These three hours could be the most entertaining experience in your memory. Yes, it’s a complete three hours movie, and yet you do not get to know even a bit how time goes by. And, let me tell you, this movie is NOT a direct pick from ’Five Point Someone’. It’s very different.
Story:
Rancho (Aamir Khan), Farhan (Madhvan) and Raju (Sharman Joshi) are friends in an engineering college. After their graduation Rancho has gone somewhere and is no longer in touch with them. The story starts with Farhan getting a call about the whereabouts of Rancho. And the two friends start their journey to meet their old friend.
The story goes back in the past and in the flashback college days start. Rancho has a completely different approach in life towards studies and engineering. He feels that gaining knowledge is more important than getting good marks in the exams. He loves machines and engineering, though hates his Director, nick named Virus, played by Bomen Irani.
Right on the first day of college, when others are being ragged by the seniors, Rancho shows that how a simple fact that salt water is good conductor of electricity can be used for practical purposes and teaches the senior a lesson when he tries to pee on Rancho’s door. The very next day he asks the Director a question which leaves him dumb founded and other students, including his room-mates Madhvan and Raju, impressed. Daggers are drawn between Rancho and Virus and thus starts the battle between the two.
The story goes on showing how the students are being taught only the rote knowledge and how the pressure to get the maximum marks in the exams forces one of the students to commit suicide. Rancho blames the Director for his suicide and tells him that it was not a suicide but a murder. The battle intensifies. Virus tries again and again to prove that he is right in his way of teaching the students and Rancho proves him wrong every time. In the mean time he meets Kareena kapoor in a wedding ceremony and makes good fun of her fiance. In extremely hilarious ways he proves to her that the guy is nothing but a price tag, thinking and speaking only about the price, attached to each and every thing he wears or gifts.
The story goes on with the ups and downs in the lives of Farhan and Raju. It also turns out that Rancho is the son of a millionaire but Raju and Farhan are from poor families, shouldering the burden of their whole family and parents. Amidst all these Virus challenges them that none of them can get a job from the college, in case it happens he would sacrifice his moustache.
Once while making fun of Virus by peeing in the letter box at his door, Raju is caught red handed by virus and is threatened to be rusticated from the college unless he accepts that Rancho is behind all the incident. Not being able to decide between the two options, Raju tries to commit suicide by jumping off the window from Virus’ room. He survives but goes in coma with one leg broken. Rancho and Farhan do their best to bring him back to life, including all the funny, though not much sensitive, ways.
So what happens to them? Are the idiots able to fulfill the dreams of their parents? Are they able to win the heart of Virus? Is Virus able to save his moustache? Watch the movie to know all these and to have much more fun, which I don’t have words to express here. I am sure you would like it.
About the Director: (of the movie, ofcourse, not the college, Virus :)
Raj Kumar Hirani is a master story teller. He is the man who knows where to step on the gas and where to apply brakes while telling the story. When things start turning too sentimental, he throws a whiff of comedy to lighten up the situation. This movie is a manifestation of his directorial skill, which he has already shown in the movies like Munnabhai series. This movie is a perfect execution of a simple story. I tell you nothing can be more perfect. He has made sure that the movie never drags itself in its three hours span. If you have enjoyed Munnabhai, you are going to love this as well, I bet.
I was expecting it to be the story of ’Five Point Someone’ but it’s not. There are similarities between the characters in the movie and in the book, and also some part of the story, but he has changed it in such a way that even if you have read the book hundreds of times, you remain bound to the movie, and to the seat as well.
The Cast:
Oh, the cast. The other day I saw a banner in India Sri Lanka Cricket match. It said "When God wanted to play cricket, Sachin Tendulkar was born." The same applies to Aamir Khan. When God wanted to Act, Aamir was born. He is such a genius. Playing a 22 year old when you are 44, is not a small feat. But he has pulled it off so well, that no one can complain. The fact that he was in a completely different getup and looks in his immediate last movie, Ghajini, makes me admire him even more. Sharman Joshi and Madhvan have supported him superbly. At some places, I felt that Madhvan was not a good choice for playing the role of a college student because of his bulges and paunch, but rest was fine. Bomen Irani, the perennial choice of Raj Kumar Hirani to play the role of a Dean/Professor, is fantabulous as always. But I would say he had done a better job in Munnabhai. Kareena kapoor has acted good, how I wish she looked good at least once in the movie. I would better not talk about her. Then there is Chatur, funny name with funny accent and equally funny role. Rest all the actors have done justice to their roles.
Cons of the movie:
At some places you may feel like it becomes too dramatic and theatrical. Like the birth of Mona’s child. But it’s a movie, being released from Bollywood, for Indian masses, so, there is no other choice. :)
Overall the movie is a wonderful package which you would love for sure, and would love it even more if you have graduated from an engineering college.