3 Idiots' Chatur opens up!

Chatur Ramlingam or Silencer thrilled us to bits in 3 Idiots, with his embarrassing and foolish ways. And we were introduced to the hilarious 27-year-old Omi Vaidya.

Born and brought up in the US, Omi is the grand-nephew of noted editor Das Dhaimade, who has worked in films like of Gunga Jamuna, Abhimaan, Bawarchi, Guddi and Namak Halal.

The Maharashtrian lad opens up to Patcy N.

Tell us about yourself.

I live in Culver City, Los Angeles, but my native place is Goa. I have been coming to Mumbai during my summer vacations but have never liked it because of the hot climate.

Getting a role in the US is very difficult. I have done some ads and acted in American serials like The Office, Arrested Development, Kath And Kim, Bones and CSI: Las Vegas. I did courses in editing, direction and writing in New York.



Image: Omi Vaidya in a scene from 3 Idiots

'Sholay, Deewar inspired 3 Idiots'

Most of you who have seen 3 Idiots will agree that the film's hillarious dialogues and scenes are just one of the reasons the movie is such a hit.

And while Raj Kumar Hirani deserves praise for penning some of the lines, there's another man who belongs right up there with the director. That man is Abhijat Joshi, a professor of English at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, who co-wrote 3 Idiots with Hirani. Joshi has earlier worked with Hirani in another of the director's blockbuster, Lage Raho Munnabhai.

Joshi tells Patcy N all about working in the two blockbusters and more.

How did you get associated with 3 Idiots and Lage Raho Munnabhai?

I studied in the Gujarati medium, which is one reason why I was able to write Lage Raho Munnabhai as I had access to Gandhi's words in his own language. I studied Science to become an engineer but later changed to Arts because I thought I would make a bad engineer. So I studied English Literature and started teaching in Ahmedabad after my graduation. I wrote a play, Shaft of Sunlight for which I won the BBC World play contest in England. Vinod [Vidhu Chopra, producer of 3 Idiots, Lage Raho Munnabhai] happened to see the play and that's how we started working together.

He saw the play and sought you out?

He was in England for the Birmingham Film Festival where his films were being showcased. He saw my play and loved it. He left his visiting card for me at the theatre. I was in Paris at that time. Anyway, I got the visiting card and contacted him when I reached Mumbai. The very first thing that he asked me as soon as I called him was, 'you are a damn good playwright. When will your writing get corrupted?' I replied, 'never'. He then said, 'The day you get corrupted you will be thrown out'. He then offered me a job and I started writing with him. But my film with him, Kareeb was a huge disaster. Vinod almost lost his house because of that.

Why do you think Kareeb failed? Did its failure help you in future?

I now know why Kareeb did not work. It was because in the second half, my hero was passive and static. This mistake helped me when we were writing Lage Raho Munnabhai. In the early draft of Lage Raho Munnabhai, we had written about a hunger strike. But the story failed to take off from there. I remembered the mistake with Kareeb so instead of making Munna go on a hunger strike, we decided to let him go the radio instead. That's how the whole radio thing came about. Imagine if we had gone with the early draft?

Why the shift to the US?

After Kareeb failed, I realised that I needed to learn a lot about screen writing. I was just 23 when I wrote my first screenplay. I was very raw. I needed more exposure so I joined Michener Center for Writers in the US and lived there for three years. I started teaching there to learn about their culture. Now I live six months here [Mumbai] and six months there. When I did not have a job in the US, Vinod sponsored me for one whole year. He told me that he would support me till I got a job.

You're based in the US. How do you and Hirani work together?

I come every six months to India while Raju comes twice or thrice to the US. So we stay connected for 8 to 9 months. Emails and telephone take care of the rest.


Image: A scene from 3 Idiots, inset Abhijat Joshi

How 3 Idiots changed Madhavan's life

R Madhavan cannot stop smiling after scoring a huge hit in 3 Idiots, co-starring Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Sharman Joshi.

The actor's performance has been much appreciated, and Bollywood seems to have opened its doors even wider to him.

He tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf how his life has changed after the film's release.

How is life after the success of 3 Idiots?

I think we moved from happiness to supreme happiness to ecstasy. Now, we're numb. I don't know how to react any more because the film has broken Sholay's record. It has touched people the way we expected it to. I have seldom met someone, who has not seen the film more than once. So obviously, the film has stuck a chord somewhere. I think (director) Raju Hirani is the true superstar of the film.

But how has your life changed after its release?

Let us put this way: I cannot eat paani puri on the road. But I'm not complaining.

People have come and told me that they could open up and speak to their fathers in real life just like my character, Farhan Qureshi did in 3 Idiots.


Image: Sharman Joshi, Aamir Khan and R Madhavan

Paa, 3 Idiots win big time

Of the 21 films that have been selected for nominations for awards in various categories, Paa -- starring Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek, and Vidya Balan -- and 3 Idiots -- starring Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani -- won the most awards.

Paa bagged five awards, including Best Actor award for Amitabh, Best Actress for Vidya Balan, Best Child Actor for Pratik and Best Supporting Actress for Arundhati Nag (who played Amitabh's grandmother in the film).

Earlier on Friday, Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra received the best actor and best actress award at the 5th Apsara Film and Television Producers Guild Awards.

When filmmakers made writers sulk

Books and movies might seem like a nice fit, but more often than not they're nasty bedfellows -- like Chetan Bhagat discovered with the debacle of Hello and the perplexing outcry over writing credits on 3 Idiots.

Writing a story for the page and the screen are different things, and while a great story can remain just that, things often change.

The first time a novel was adapted on screen was in 1924, as Erich von Stronheim took on Frank Norris's novel McTeague to make the film Greed. Greed ended up being sixteen hours long, and was then eventually edited into a two hour version -- which obviously didn't make sense.

Things have come a long way, and while we have had pristine adaptations like The Godfather, lets look at five films that made the authors wish they had refused the offers:

Image: A scene from 3 Idiots

Aamir and I make fantastic pair – Kareena Kapoor

Mumbai, (BollywoodWorld.com) She is overwhelmed by the response to “3 Idiots” and has no regrets about the size of her role in the hit comedy drama. Kareena Kapoor says she is happy to work with Aamir Khan and pleased by the compliments she has received for their pairing.

“Everyone in one voice thinks we look good together. I think Aamir and I make a fantastic pair. I’d love to do another film with him immediately, this time I don’t want share him with other pivotal characters,” Kareena told IANS.

Reacting to the opinion that she hardly has anything to do in ‘3 Idiots’, Kareena said: “Who says I’ve nothing to do? I’m very much part of the main drama. Would the story move forward if you remove my character?

“Everywhere I go, I am swamped by compliments for the role. The length of the role didn’t matter. I’m just glad to be part of a historic happening,” she said.

“When Rajkumar Hirani and Aamir asked me to be part of their film, I jumped at it. I knew the film would be special because of Raju and Aamir, and I was right. As far as our cinema is concerned, Aamir is god.”

In fact, talks are on with two leading filmmakers including Mani Ratnam who is apparently set to revive his Aamir-Kareena project “Lajjo”. A.R. Rahman and Gulzar have even recorded the songs.

Looking back on last year Kareena feels happy by the response to her performances in “Kurbaan” and “3 Idiots”.

“Both films are very precious to me. ‘Kurbaan’ was intense, ‘3 Idiots’ was more fun. In 2009, I did films with all the Khans…. Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh – I had a song with him in ‘Billu’ – and of course Saif.”

This time Kareena managed to ring in New Year with her family.

“I’ve been running around frantically promoting my film. And then I was ailing for a week. I decided I had to be well for the festive season. Christmas was a very, very special occasion for my mom and sister. But we never get to be together for the occasion.

“This time I was adamant. I made sure I took time off from work so all us girls could spend time together. My mom and I were here in Delhi to spend time with my sister and niece.

“Karisma and I don’t get to spend that much time together. She has her home and husband in Delhi. My career takes me all over the place. Mom cribs we’re never together. This year-end reunion was something we had promised ourselves from long before,” she said.

'SRK was the first choice for 3 Idiots'

Rajkumar Hirani has moved on from his blockbuster Munnabhai series to 3 Idiots, from Sanjay Dutt to Aamir Khan.

The director, who landed on the Bollywood map out of nowhere, tells Patcy N what to expect from his new film, out on Christmas Day.

What made you decide to take on 3 Idiots after announcing Munnabhai Chale Amerika?

I was slightly exhausted doing two back-to-back Munnabhai movies. And for the third part, I would have to think about Munnabhai and Circuit again -- the same style, clothes and everything. I wasn't too excited about that. Also, I thought that if I write a script, it may not be as exciting.

On the other hand, I had the germ of an idea of 3 Idiots. I was trying to concentrate on Munnabhai but my mind would think about 3 Idiots. In the end, I realised I had written more on 3 Idiots than Munnabhai. So I decided to make that.

Now that 3 Idiots is done and my mind is fresh, I will work on Munnabhai Chale Amerika.


Image: A scene from 3 Idiots. Inset: Rajkumar Hirani

'I want everyone to watch my film'

Aamir Khan employs a different marketing strategy for each of his films, and they never fail to work.

To promote this Friday's release 3 Idiots, Aamir 'disappeared' for a couple of days and traveled all over India in various disguises.

Three days before the film's release, Aamir made his appearance again, and spoke at length about his memorable experiences and India tour. Patcy N took notes:

Whose idea was this 'disappearing act'?

Mine. But it was implemented by many people. They had a code name for me called Phantom and the operation was called Operation Spiderman. We started preparing for it four months in advance.

How was your journey?

It was very exciting. I had an amazing experience in every state -- from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. I met many people and learnt about their problems, aspirations and day-to-day issues.

This game had different layers. Firstly, it was a marketing strategy for 3 Idiots, as it is connected to the story. In the film, my character Rancho disappears and his friends have to search for him. So we thought we should market the film in such a way that I go missing and my audience goes searching for me. Wherever I went, I made friends and gifted them gold rings. I have invited them to the premiere of 3 Idiots.

Secondly, it was only a marketing strategy. I wanted to connect with common people. Usually, when I visit the different parts of India, people know me and treat me like an actor. But here, nobody recognised me. People treated me like a common man and that was a new experience for me.

The third layer of this trip was that I wanted to throw light on certain issues in the country. I went to Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh, a place where weavers live. Two years ago, I heard it was a dying profession and that they were running into losses. I wanted to highlight their problems and request people to wear hand-woven clothes as much as possible.

Likewise, I wanted to highlight the problem of education. So I went to Gujarat where the education system is good. There is free education in small schools up to Standard Seven.

How much of this will help the film?

I don't know that. But I liked the idea and its various layers.


Image: Aamir Khan
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar

The '3 Idiots' Album

Two friends (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 and 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 find the key to the secret.

Three Idiots is comedy of ideas that is a 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.

Source: Bollywood Hungama

Here is what to expect from Aamir's 3 Idiots

The 3 Idiots theatrical trailer kicks off with the rat race in full swing -- R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Aamir Khan all pop up talking about how life's a constant race, right from birth. Sharman says he was born at 5.15, and Madhavan chimes in that at 5.16 his dad proclaimed that his son would be an engineer. Cut to an engineering college admit card and Khan saying nobody ever asked what the boys themselves wanted to be.


Image: The 3 Idiots poster

Aamir nervous about audience reaction to 'Three Idiots'

New Delhi, Oct 16 (IANS) Bollywood star Aamir Khan has finished shooting for Rajkumar Hirani's much awaited '3 Idiots', based on Chetan Bhagat's bestseller 'Five Point Someone', and confesses that now he is worried about the audiences' reaction.

'The last one week has been very busy with '3 Idiots' work. The final song is done and now the cut is locked too. I think we have managed to make the film that we set out to. In the coming weeks I will tell you more about the film and what is happening,' Aamir posted on his blog aamirkhan.com/blog.

'As you can well imagine the good old butterflies have begun to spread their wings once again and their feathery touch has started to tickle my insides. I'm tempted to try and snuff them out with smoke...but I won't. I think this time I have quit for good,' he said.

Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, '3 Idiots' also stars Sharman Joshi, R. Madhavan, Kareena Kapoor and Mona Singh.

Aamir nervous about audience reaction to 'Three Idiots'

New Delhi, Oct 16 (IANS) Bollywood star Aamir Khan has finished shooting for Rajkumar Hirani's much awaited '3 Idiots', based on Chetan Bhagat's bestseller 'Five Point Someone', and confesses that now he is worried about the audiences' reaction.

'The last one week has been very busy with '3 Idiots' work. The final song is done and now the cut is locked too. I think we have managed to make the film that we set out to. In the coming weeks I will tell you more about the film and what is happening,' Aamir posted on his blog aamirkhan.com/blog.

'As you can well imagine the good old butterflies have begun to spread their wings once again and their feathery touch has started to tickle my insides. I'm tempted to try and snuff them out with smoke...but I won't. I think this time I have quit for good,' he said.

Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, '3 Idiots' also stars Sharman Joshi, R. Madhavan, Kareena Kapoor and Mona Singh.

Aamir Khan and Kareena sizzle in rain for ‘3 Idiots’!

Spicezee Bureau Xboard

Mumbai: Come December and you’ll get to see Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor paired opposite each other for the first time in Raju Hirani’s ‘3 Idiots.’

With the movie in its final stages of completion, Aamir and Kareena were recently spotted cavorting in the rains for as long as three days in Film City. Both the stars have been drenching in simulated rain for a love song for the past three days.

Talking to a news paper, a close source from the film set said, "This is the final song which is being shot on the lead pair. Aamir and Bebo both have to be under water and as they are practically sitting in wet clothes for the whole day, they are taking adequate measures not to fall sick. This is the last shooting stint for the film, after which the film will be termed complete and move towards post production."

Based on Chetan Bhagat’s famous novel ‘Five Point Someone’ and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, ‘3 Idiots’ will hit the theaters during this Christmas. Apart from Aamir and Kareena, ‘3 Idiots’ also stars Sharman Joshi and R Madhavan.

'3 Idiots' Again Looks for Christmas Release

Rajkumar Hirani's '3 Idiots' is all set to resume shooting after a break next week. The shooting date shad been adjusted because actor Aamir Khan needed to take a break with his wife Kiran. But now the actor, who was holidaying in France, is back and Hirani and will be looking forward to finish his movie. Apparently, the upcoming schedule will see the director canning the one and only romantic song between Aamir and Kareena's characters. The rest of the cast, consisting of Boman Irani, Sharman Joshi and R Madhavan, are also expected to feature briefly in the song. Anyway, the other good news for Hirani is that the movie is all set to release on Christmas Day.