Given all the mass hysteria about the Three Idiots- the new Bollywood ,record breaking blockbuster-some of my friends took their kids this weekend to see the movie, and came away rather upset! I was rather shocked, because by all accounts, this movie was the funniest, well made “family” movie ever! In fact, I was quite ready to take my kids for it but am glad that I got to hear from some of the other parents and would like to share their views with all of you.
The movie captures the life of the Indian undergraduates- their challenges and fun times. But as one of my friend’s pre teen daughter stated, “This movie is not appropriate to watch with the parents”! She loved the movie and its slickness but talked about the ragging scenes as being a new and uncomfortable concept. The ragging scenes did upset some of my parent friends, but more distubing to many of them were the issue and scenes of student suicide that their young kids were exposed to. I haven’t seen the movie, but my friend talked about her daughter’s utter shock at seeing one of the boys in the movie, succumbing to academic and parental pressure, jump out of a window to commit suicide. Another of my friend found it very awkward to explain the concept of sexual impotence, suicide and ragging to her young, seven year old daughter.
I am surprised that no where in the reviews is there a mention of these scenes. The reviews talk about the superlative comic timing, and the superbe acting etc but not a mention of the serious issues and the general message of ” the Indian education system is awful and therefore let’s get rid of it !”
All my parent friends are also saying it is a wonderful movie laced with great humour, but probably not a movie for young kids who do end up internalizing things they see or hear in ways that are hard to decipher. I suppose it does depend on the kid’s maturity level and understanding, and therefore, I will be watching this movie sans my kids!
