3 idiots

Today, I am going to analyze and discuss the aesthetics of Asian cinema by citing examples from the film of 3 idiots.

Summary of films:

3 Idiots is a 2009 Indian coming-of-age comedy-drama film and directed by Rajkumar Hirani. The film is about the friendship of three students which are Farhan, Raju and Rancho at an Indian engineering college, due to Rancho’s positive and refreshing outlook to life. 5 Years later, a bet gives them a chance to look for their long-lost friend whose existence seems rather elusive. This film also satire about the social pressures under an Indian education system.

Asian Cinema

Asian Cinema was known as Eastern cinema.  Its most often used to refer to the cinema of Eastern, Southeastern and Southern Asia. Asian cinema is a site or a space which encounters many ideas, philosophies and religions and from these encounters, it develops a universe of its own. Cultural exchange to cinema can be found in filmmaking and film criticism, film reception and film marketing. For example, China adopting Buddhism from India. Asian cinema is full of diversity and flexibility, it is also far from being homogeneous due to the cultural exchange means a process whereby concepts, once absorbed, are invariably reduced the intrinsic of culture and identity. Aesthetics in Asian Cinema is an art object signifies cultural, social and moral values. Use of traditional colours is also one of the ways to present the Aesthetics in Asian Cinema, as instance white signifies death in Chinese cultures, every Chinese funeral used to wear white colour to signifies one of their family member death. In addition, visual representation like appearance and furniture or religious and culture iconography also are showing the Aesthetics in Asian Cinema.

Analysis

Farhan narrate that “We were robots blindly following our professor’s commands, he was the only one who was not a machine”. Due to Rancho free-minded outbreaks, Professor kept him out of class. Compare to Chatur, who crammed blindly and listen to their command, Professors much prefer students like Chatur and Rancho become the enemy of all Professor, especially Professor Viru Sahastrabudhhe. 

To demonstrate for Raju, don’t cram blindly. Chatur is humiliated when he delivers a Hindi speech which modified by Rancho due to Chatur crammed blindly.

Farhan’s fate as an engineer had been decided by his parents since the day he was born, but he loves photography. He following the parent’s direction because it is a duty of a good son have, then he end up studied at the Imperial College of Engineering. Following the parents’ directions is a duty, and following duty is something rooted in Hindu tradition. Bhagavad Gita discusses dharma, the duty that every individual must fulfill, no matter what the circumstances are. Reference from Krishna. ‘Bhagavad gita story: Do not worry!’. http://www.bhagavatam-katha.com/bhagavad-gita-story-do-not-worry/. This shows how important duty is in Hindu culture. The movie shows the importance of family, but also shows limitations, and even danger in solely relying on traditional ways. It challenges the notion of listening to authority like parents and professors. Even though, It brings more modern worldview and leaning towards individualism associated with the Western thought. Throughout the film, Rancho leads Farhan to follow his heart, pursue his dream and go speak to his father from his heart. In this sense, the film breaks the Hindu culture as an important duty as a son.     

Professor Viru Sahastrabuddhe who traditional and strict philosophies on education. Professor Viru Sahastrabuddhe used to emphasize the differences between a loser and winner and instilling the poor education student won’t get any offer in the job. This subplot addresses the issue of the social class system. It shows that through a high education, people from different backgrounds can be empowered and get themselves and their families out of poverty. All because of the notion from someone like Professor Viru Sahastrabuddhe, the student suicide rate fueled by all the pressure from studies and parent’s expectations that they are trying to fulfill. The movie makes an important point: we must not let social pressures ruin our lives.

In a traditional family in India, unmarried girls are a burden for the family. So, found that Rancho after 5 years finished studies, he had not married as Pia too. Five years waiting is worthwhile for an unmarried Indian girl, Pia because five years is quite a long time for a lady.  

However, Aesthetics in Asian Cinema of Hindu culture used in this film, such as Hindu’s wedding, uses music and dance sequences within the narrative structure, Tamil's worship and funeral. The funeral of western also applied in the film.

                 

                 
                                         

Conclusion

Throughout the film, 3 idoits has a very universal appeal. This film used a comedy and way to reflect the problem of social class system and traditional education which still face with most of the country. The flashbacks editing technique and the good storyline with a nice shot and the soundtrack is really recommended for those who have not seen any Bollywood films before, it is a good one to start with.