No, 3 Idiots is not a real story because it doesn’t depict real events and real characters. 3 Idiots is a 2009 Indian Hindi-language satirical comedy drama written and directed by Rajkumar Hirani, co-written by Abhijat Joshi and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The movie features Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi in title roles, with Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani and Om Vaidya in supporting roles.
3 Idiots is an original fictional story but loosely inspired from Chetan Bhagat’s 2004 novel “Five Point Someone: What Not To Do At IIT”. The lead character of the movie is loosely based on a Ladakhi reformer, Sonam Wangchuk. It is essentially a fictional film with a satirical take on the Indian education system, societal pressure and friendship.
Plot Summary
The story opens in the present where two friends, Raju Rastogi and Farhan Qureshi, embark on a journey to find their long-lost college friend, Rancho, after being contacted by their rival in college, Chatur. The journey triggers flashbacks of their college days in the prestigious Imperial College of Engineering.
In college, Rancho is brilliant, free-spirited student who challenges the exam-based education system of the college. In the process, he becomes the enemy of the college dean. Rancho befriends Farhan and Raju. While Farhan wants to become a wildlife photographer, Raju is constantly under pressure due to family expectations. Rancho encourages both to seek excellence.
Rancho’s unconventional methods and knack for inventing new gadgets frequently land the trio in trouble but also inspire change. Rancho exposes flaws in the education system and helps Farhan and Raju in overcoming their personal crises.
Back in the present, the search for Rancho leads them to Ladakh. It is revealed that Rancho is actually Phunsuk Wangdu, a humble inventor and teacher with hundreds of patents to his name. The movie ends on an uplifting note and delivers a powerful message.
Key Inspirations
Core setting, theme of academic stress and some plot points of 3 Idiots come from Chetan Bhagat’s 2004 novel “Five Point Someone: What Not To Do At IIT”. However, the movie makes significant changes like adding inventions, different ending and more humour. Chetan Bhagat claimed more similarities with his novel than acknowledged by the makers.
Aamir Khan’s character of Phunsuk Wangdu was inspired by the Ladakhi engineer and educational reformer, Sonam Wangchuk. Sonam Wangchuk is known for founding an alternative school called SEMCOL, promoting practical learning and multiple inventions, including ice stupa for water conservation.