5 points about 3 idiots... Lot's in the name!

5 points about 3 idiots... Lot's in the name!

Kartik KJ

When I saw news clippings of the war of words between 3 idiots team and the writer of 5 point someone, I was moved to think and heres what I personally feel. its 5 points really.. (pun probably intented).

1. Is this a marketing gimmick? Sorry Chetan, but that's the first thing that comes to my mind. For of late, bollywood has stooped to abysmal levels to get people into movie halls. I am thinking, this is a reallllly cheap one (if it is, and I hope it isn't). Do you need such a bad gimmick for a film as strong as this one. But then again, this was the same team that withdrew the trailer of Prakash Jhas Raajneeti from the films launch, because they 'would rather do away with the trailer than have people distracted from 3 Idiots'. ???????? Duh!! Can a 3 minute trailer (I dont know the length really, but how big can a trailer be??) take away from the brilliant film that 3 idiots is???? Can crediting the author really take away from the crisp screenplay? Really?

2.Ever wonder why we don't get great writers? If One of India's most celebrated fiction writers, Chetan Bhagat, who is obviously young India's favorite, has to struggle for credit, it is anyones guess what can happen to the rest of the writers.

3. Obviously, the film is based on the book. There are quite a few liberties taken, but really, it is very much like the book. I wonder WHAT would go wrong, if the authors name was mentioned in it? WHAT were the makers standing to lose? It is sad enough that struggling English writers cant break into the mainstream, but when an acclaimed writer isn't given credit, its quite demotivating.

4. The actors and cast go on about saying that they haven't read the book. Well then, really they cant even comment on whether or not Bhagat needs to be given credit or not. Would help them if they first read the book and said if or not Bhagat was right?.. It's really for the script writer to put his hand on his heart (and not say Aaal is welll, sorry bad one ;)) and ask if or not this is an inspiration. And whats the harm in adapting a book into a screenplay. Oscars have a separate category for adapted screenplay (but filmfare doesnt). But if graduates from India's premier film institute choose to ignore the significance of appreciating adaptation, what's left for the media to ask?

5. Saying Shut up to media during a press conference???? Chopra who has struck a goldmine in Hirani should accept success with humility not arrogance, and realise that the medias questions are not random, but simply obvious. I have read the book twice and seen the movie thrice. I am sure the movie is quite are different from the book, but I am more than sure a credit is due to the writer of the book.

It is quite simple, and probably this will summarise it best:

The oldie who interviews Sharman Joshi's character in the movie during the placement scene, is actually my professor Keshav Rae from PUMBA. Immediately after the film was over, my batchmates exchanged messages to confirm and identify him. Later, we felt proud that someone we knew is associated with such a great film. Many of my friends posted a FB update about him. It is very simple - when you see a great film, you want to be associated with it (success does have lot of patrons). Now imagine writing a book and going to see a film which seems to be based on it and not just are you not credited, you are actually accused on trying to be a someone cashing in on the success??

Pity... Aal is not well here...