Is the movie 3 Idiots overrated?

First things first. I enjoyed 3 Idiots thoroughly and found it an extremely entertaining movie. No second thoughts about that.

But considering the kind of craze around it and the fact that it is extremely popular around the world seems to make the movie overrated in my eyes. Is it really THAT GOOD?

What with running away with the bride from a wedding, swapping places in college and the whole "chamatkar" speech are some of the most overrated aspects about the movie.

Also, another fact that makes it overrated in my eyes is that unlike Dangal and Dil Chahta Hai, I don't go back to the movie and revisit it often. Isn't that the trademark of nay great movie -- that you watch it again and again? I don't feel that way about 3 Idiots.

How I would describe the movie -- escapist entertaining fare with a good message. But not outstanding.

Your thoughts on the movie??

Despite what Aamir or Hirani says

That film was more commerce than art. It wasn’t a realistic look at education at all. I mean first of all
Farhan had a crush on Rancho I think 😆

In my opinion yes. Its very fantastical n unrealistic. Its a veey wish fulfillment type film

Most people who call this film fantasy or escapist are those who can't fulfill their own dreams.

They don't want to change themselves or take control of their life like the characters of this film, so want to comfort themselves by saying that it's all fantasy which can't happen in real.

Originally posted by: Maroonporsche

Despite what Aamir or Hirani says

That film was more commerce than art. It wasn’t a realistic look at education at all. I mean first of all
Farhan had a crush on Rancho I think 😆

Completely agree👍🏼

Originally posted by: Harley_Quinn

Most people who call this film fantasy or escapist are those who can't fulfill their own dreams.

They don't want to change themselves or take control of their life like the characters of this film, so want to comfort themselves by saying that it's all fantasy which can't happen in real.

The film worked due to multiple factors. (mentioned below)

The film may look overrated NOW in 2020, when we have so much of better content available, from across the world.

But by 2009 standards, I personally don't think the film was overrated, although I find certain scenes in the film to be problematic.


The film came at a time when our country was still transitioning.

Social Media/ Online Content boon hadn't happened yet, but still the word of mouth was huge. I knew people who literally watched the film 3-4 times in the theater, because it was so cool & fun to watch.

But I think the audience most resonated more with "Kaamyabi ke nahi, Kaabilyat ke peeche bhago", especially the urban, youth of India.

The film touched the topic of student suicide indirectly caused by families/society by pressuring their children to either become an engineer or a doctor. (Sadly, not much has changed)

At that time, there weren't any film/show that tackled the problem of education system in our country, how our schools/colleges function like a factory, where talent is rather killed than produced.

The film was also based on novel by Chetan Bhagat, who still had some credibility & fans.

Originally posted by: diasingh2

The film worked due to multiple factors. (mentioned below)

The film may look overrated NOW in 2020, when we have so much of better content available, from across the world.

But by 2009 standards, I personally don't think the film was overrated, although I find certain scenes in the film to be problematic.


The film came at a time when our country was still transitioning.

Social Media/ Online Content boon hadn't happened yet, but still the word of mouth was huge. I knew people who literally watched the film 3-4 times in the theater, because it was so cool & fun to watch.

But I think the audience most resonated more with "Kaamyabi ke nahi, Kaabilyat ke peeche bhago", especially the urban, youth of India.

The film touched the topic of student suicide indirectly caused by families/society by pressuring their children to either become an engineer or a doctor. (Sadly, not much has changed)

At that time, there weren't any film/show that tackled the problem of education system in our country, how our schools/colleges function like a factory, where talent is rather killed than produced.

The film was also based on novel by Chetan Bhagat, who still had some credibility & fans.

I liked it a lot when I watched it first; I guess I just got sort of swept away in the collective mood of the audience, which was riotous to say the least. But later, on reflection, I found certain points about the movie to be rather overhyped and over-exaggerated. Like, the characterization of Omi Vaidya as Chatur, which I thought was one of the weak points of the movie, rather like forcing a villain out of an ordinary guy.

It's very entertaining and rewatchable movie. Definitely one of the best commercial movie in last few decades but the book Five point someone was much better.Probably the best book of Chetan. That book deserved an honest and better adaptation .

Absolutely not. The movie is amazing and has tremendous repeat value.