sumofparts

3 Idiots
Synopsis (via tribute.com)
Two friends (R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi) embark on a quest for a lost buddy. On this journey, they encounter a long-forgotten bet, a wedding they must crash, and a funeral that goes impossibly out of control. As they make their way through the perilous landscape, another journey begins: their inner journey through memory lane and the story of their friend—the irrepressible free-thinker Rancho (Aamir Khan), who in his unique way, touched and changed their lives. It's a story of their hostel days that swings between Rancho's romance with the spirited Pia (Kareena Kapoor), and his clash with an oppressive mentor, Viru Sahastrabudhhe (Boman Irani). And then one day, suddenly, Rancho vanishes...

Who was he? Where did he come from? Why did he leave?

The friend who influenced and inspired them to think creatively and independently, even as the conformist world called them three idiots. Where is the original idiot now?

Finally, in misty mountains of unparalleled beauty, the friends find the key to the secret.

3 Idiots is a comedy of ideas that is as provocative as it is funny, as wildly entertaining as it is insightful. A laugh-riot that talks about the most important of human pursuits: self-actualization.

Thoughts
Not very profound thoughts but overall, I found the movie entertaining, a little ridiculous, surprisingly emotional and poignant and thought-provoking.
- I was not expecting as much suicide as was shown in the movie; one of the friends who recommended the movie explained that it's a big problem in India
- also wow, sort of a cry fest for me and my sister
- dance sequences - check! This was fun and there were at least 3 scene changes during the couple's sequence. My sister and I don't watch Bollywood movies very often so we were pleasantly surprised and relieved since we'd been crying a bit. The tone shifts were sometimes disconcerting though.
- I've taken engineering and the arguments about learning for its own sake versus for a job, etc. resonated with me
- another part of me couldn't help judging Rancho for believing it'd be so easy for his friends to let go of their obligations when he was relatively free because he was an orphan
- near the beginning, when the characters were starting their search/road trip, there was an absolutely beautiful shot of the mountains/highway
- Aamir Khan was very charming as the main 'idiot'
- I really liked the very close relationship between the three friends and how they're not uncomfortable being physically affectionate
- the scene when Mona (Pia's sister) is giving birth - !!!!!!!