Ishqiya and 3 idiots

Last week we, Leena and me, saw both of these movies and before I talk about the films themselves I must reveal a little secret. We saw the two at the normal price of one – tickets + snacks. How? Well there is this new multiplex at Kharadi that charges Rs 110 for a Gold ticket! And, the other we saw at a single-screen theater – the venerable Rahul. What fun!

Here is the plot summary for the Ishqiya straight from imdb – 'Ishqiya is a story about love arising in characters, portrayed uniquely according to their own personal traits. The situations in the plot lead the characters to experience the emotion creeping into their lives in the most unexpected manner.'

And for 3 idiots – ''

There is none. There is a complete plot synopsis whilst for Ishqiya there is only a two liner summary. What does this imply?

To me it is quite obvious that ‘3 idiots’ is the much more popular of the two and someone has taken the effort to write up a complete synopsis. And this is completely in sync with what almost everybody around feels. ‘3 idiots’ is a hugely popular film, and an award winning film too.

In my opinion ‘3 idiots’ is a commonplace, cliched and completely overrated. On the other hand ‘Ishqiya’ is unique in its treatment and is an original gem.

Let’s begin with ‘3 idiots.’ What it has going for it, and something that has caught the attention of every urban, literate college educated admirer, and something that I must say could not have been presented in a much more appropriate period of time, is the central message of the complete rut in the education process and the misplaced expectation that most of us have of what learning is all about. For doing this the film wins many accolades and receives the attention that it surely deserves. But what is the percentage of the people who connect with the message? I would not be very wrong by saying very small without quoting figures.

But what else is working for the film? The locations are dull and boring, the music forgettable, the acting relies heavily on histrionics rather than skill and talent, and the humor, would have been condemned by the critics as slapstick if it was not for the heavyweights in the film. Bottom line, nothing!

‘Ishqiya’ on the other hand is passionately made, wonderfully earthy in its setting and locations, yet colorful in the characters and fabric, all of which come across as genuine. The music and vocals are subtle when required and powerful when needed. The performances are excellent, and the humor is timed to perfection.

Let’s look at a couple of examples where the realism of ‘Ishqiya’ stands out miles above the cliches of ‘3 idiots’. The bad guy in ‘Ishqiya’ is suave, subtle and loves his woman wholeheartedly. The bad guy in ‘3 idiots’ is eccentric, loud and insensitive. The hero of ‘3 idiots’ is stereotypical; he is good looking, well dressed, apparently moneyed, yet completely grounded, humble and displays an excellent set of values. He excels in everything, lands the most eligible girl, is the funny man and is central to the entire film and does no wrong. Did anyone ever believe that he would not be the recipient of the pen? And how believable is the name of Wangdu? The heroes of ‘Ishqiya’ are scoundrels, often unkempt, curse, grovel, show fear yet fight for love and with each other. The woman in ‘3 idiots’ is submissive and supportive of her overbearing father, but is radically transformed on meeting the hero. The woman in ‘Ishqiya’ is passionate, loves the bad guy jealously, manipulates the heroes with her beauty and yet knows not how to betray her love.

And the kiss! I have never seen a full-mouthed, more hungry and passionate kiss on Hindi cinema ever. Do you think there was a little exchange of tongue?

Now tell me which is the better film?

By the way did you know where ‘Ishqiya’ has been shot? Not in Uttar Pradesh / Bihar but in Wai, Maharashtra.