Brief Summary
"3 Idiots" is a coming-of-age comedy-drama that follows three friends, Farhan, Raju, and Rancho, through their engineering college days and beyond. The film explores themes of pursuing passion over societal expectations, the flaws in traditional education systems, and the importance of friendship. Key plot points include their rebellious antics in college, Rancho's unconventional wisdom, a bet made with their rival Chatur, and a quest to find Rancho years after he disappeared.
- Rancho's unconventional approach to education challenges the strict, rote-learning system.
- The friends' journey highlights the importance of following one's passion and not succumbing to societal pressures.
- The film critiques the education system's focus on grades and competition rather than genuine learning and innovation.
The Reunion and the Bet
Farhan fakes a heart attack to reunite with Raju after receiving news that their friend Rancho is back. They meet Chatur, their college rival, who reminds them of a bet they made 10 years prior to see who would be the most successful. Chatur, now a wealthy vice president, reveals Rancho is in Shimla, prompting Farhan and Raju to join him on a trip to find their long-lost friend, despite Chatur's attempts to flaunt his success.
College Days: Introduction to Rancho and Virus
Farhan and Raju's freshman year is shown in a flashback, where they meet Rancho, who defies the college's bullying tradition by using his intelligence to outsmart the seniors. They are also introduced to Dean Viru, known as "Virus," a strict and orthodox man who values success and conformity above all else. Rancho questions Virus's teachings, challenging the conventional methods of education and impressing Farhan while worrying Raju.
Rancho's Impact and Roy's Tragedy
Rancho continues to challenge the college's system by asking questions and genuinely loving engineering, often leading to clashes with teachers. He discovers Roy's innovative project, which Virus rejected due to a missed deadline. Rancho completes the project, but they find Roy has committed suicide due to the pressure. Rancho confronts Virus, blaming the college's system for Roy's death, leading Virus to write a letter to Farhan and Raju's parents, painting Rancho as a bad influence.
Family Pressures and Societal Critique
Farhan's father pressures him to pursue engineering despite his passion for wildlife photography, while Raju's family struggles with poverty, placing the burden of their future on him. Rancho challenges these societal expectations. The friends gatecrash a wedding where Rancho exposes Pia's fiancé, Suhas, as materialistic, leading Pia to become intrigued by Rancho's personality.
Pranks and Challenges
Chatur attempts to distract the friends before exams by planting adult magazines in their rooms. Rancho retaliates by altering Chatur's Hindi speech with inappropriate words, causing him to unknowingly insult VIPs at a charity event. Chatur, enraged, challenges the group to a bet on who will be the most successful in 10 years. Rancho also helps Pia see Suhas's true nature, leading her to break up with him.
Friendship and Exams
Rancho and Pia rush Raju's ailing father to the hospital, saving his life. Pia begins to fall for Rancho, witnessing his caring nature. The first semester exam results are published, with Rancho ranking first, much to the dismay of Chatur and Virus.
The Search for Rancho in Shimla
In the present, Raju, Farhan, and Chatur arrive in Shimla to find Rancho, only to discover that the man claiming to be Rancho is an imposter. They learn the real Rancho was the gardener's son, Chote, who studied in Rancho's place to get an education and a degree for Rancho's father.
College Flashback: Recruitment and Rebellion
During their final year, Virus insults Farhan and Raju, claiming they will never get jobs. Drunk and angry, Rancho encourages Farhan to pursue photography and calls Raju a coward. They break into Virus's house, where Rancho confesses his feelings to Pia's pregnant sister, Mona, by mistake.
Raju's Suicide Attempt and Recovery
Raju, facing expulsion, attempts suicide but survives, becoming paralysed. Rancho and Farhan motivate him to recover, throwing parties and fabricating news to cheer him up. Raju eventually recovers, inspired by the false news of Farhan marrying his sister.
Career Choices and Final Exams
Farhan receives a letter from his favourite photographer, offering him an assistant position, and convinces his father to let him pursue photography. Raju fearlessly attends his job interview, securing a job with his honesty. Virus, determined to fail Raju, sets difficult exam questions. Pia helps the friends steal the exam papers, but Raju refuses to cheat.
Pia's Wedding and the Stolen Papers
In the present, the friends learn Pia is getting married and divert their journey to pick her up. Raju replaces the groom, and they run away together. In a flashback, the friends steal the exam papers, but Raju refuses to use them. Virus expels them, and Pia reveals that Virus's eldest son committed suicide due to the pressure to become an engineer.
A Makeshift Birth and Graduation
During a flood, Mona goes into labour, and Rancho helps deliver the baby using a makeshift vacuum cup. Virus, impressed, gives Rancho the astronaut's pen and allows them to take the final exams. The friends graduate, with Rancho once again topping the class, before disappearing.
The Reunion and Wangdu's Identity
Years later, Farhan and Raju find Rancho as a schoolteacher. Pia reunites with him, and they learn that Rancho is actually the renowned scientist and inventor, Wangdu, whom Chatur is trying to sign a deal with. Chatur apologises and performs the college's tradition of lowering his trousers as a sign of respect.
