The 4th Idiot
I finally saw the movie. And I can proudly call myself the fourth idiot. It was all about me. Many scenes I could relate to, I am forcing my parents to go see it asap, would love to see their guilt ridden faces when they get out.
I was also one of the idiots who auditioned for a small little tiny role in the film, however I am glad I dint get through. (I never get through auditions). After watching the movie I figured what part I had auditioned for, they were such small parts that it would not have added to my experience in any greater way then what manasaare did. Interacting with Raju is something I would want to do, but I guess i’d rather do it as a screenplay writer than as a struggling actor.
I am not all gaga about the movie. Its a very smart script. The makers knew what would make the audience have a good time, and what would make them send more people to the theatre to watch. They just did that. And there is nothing wrong, as long as the content makes sense and entertains. I have been very impressed with Raju since Munnabhai. I like the way huge boring cliche scenes are packaged into small funny scenes. Its an art and I have tried to do that in Manasaare and also in the current script. Many a times I think of his movies and correct my own. However I am sure he is a die hard fan of Patch Adams and Amelie, both the movies inspire me a lot.
Another beautiful part of the film was the way they packaged the cliche beaten to death kind of scenes. They were required in the movie, specially when you are making an Indian Film, there are a few scenes that you HAVE to have. Raju managed to put them in a very interesting way, Eg. The entire black and white treatment for Sharman’s family. And many a times when he spoke, the background score was deliberately of the old style. Raju managed to laugh at himself, and that would make us laugh more, thereby seeing the scene without hate but still taking in the content. There were many like that in the entire film.
The idea of non linear narration also added to the pace of the film, and adding a narrators voice makes it easier. When one writes a film in a non linear format with a narrator, he is making the story telling job a lot easier. A lot of content can be packed in tight and nice in a smaller period of time. The movie is so enjoyable for that reason. Imagine the movie in the linear format and you will see it wont be so much fun.
I dont want to brag about my own work, but I want to proudly say that Manasaare could be a nice Hindi film. I hope it gets done in Hindi sometime and a larger audience gets to see it.
Whats with my life? ALL IS WELL 