3 Idiots - First Look

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Aamir demands to play the character he wants in Three Idiots

Aamir Khan always has his way in everything he does. When he was offered Rajkumar Hirani’s Three Idiots, Aamir decided which of the three characters Ryan, Alok and Hari he’d play.

Aamir, who read Chetan Bhagat’s Five Point Someone, was impressed with Ryan’s character and told Hirani that he wanted to play the role. A source reveals, “Aamir liked all the three characters, but thought Ryan’s character was the most challenging. During his meeting with Hirani, Aamir openly talked about the different ways he could bring the character alive on screen.”

When Shah Rukh was approached to be a part of the film, he was given the role of Hari, the main protagonist. SRK ultimately refused the film.

Aamir was offered the role of Hari, but he chose to be Ryan.

The source adds, “Aamir is not opposite Kareena in the film as believed. They have lot of scenes together, but aren’t romantically involved. Chetan Bhagat, who’s quite involved in the making of the film, has approved of the casting.”

Aman Mahajan, Associate Vice President: Marketing and Development, Vinod Chopra Films, says, “Aamir is the protagonist in Mr Hirani’s film but to say that he is playing the character of Ryan from Five Point Someone is not accurate. Mr Chetan Bhagat is aware of our story and in agreement that it’s not his book but has been initiated from his book. Therefore, the question doesn’t arise of Aamir playing Ryan.”

Who are the three idiots?
Hari — He is the main character and also the narrator of the story. Hari is a shy guy who always longs to be smart and handsome like his friend Ryan. Hari is an average student and is miserable at vivas.
Ryan — He is a smart, handsome and an adventurous fellow who loves his friends more than his parents (at least he says so). He is totally against mugging up the matter and passing exams. He has an innovative mind and wants to do something out of the way.
Alok — Desperately wants to study well and get a decent job to overcome the poverty of his family. He is a sensitive guy.

3 Idiots, that's the working title for Rajkumars Hirani's next

The location is filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani's office in Bandra where our long due meeting is supposed to take place. Seated in the sanctum sanctorum of the aforementioned venue, director Rajkumar Hirani looks a happy man. And with good reasons too. His much talked-about project tentatively titled 3 Idiots is back on track after running into a roadblock. The film about the drawbacks of the education system initially had Shah Rukh Khan penciled in for the lead. Matters, however, went awry when the star evinced an interest in producing the film that was being produced by Vinod Chopra Films (Chopra has also produced Hirani's Munnabhai MBBS and Lage Raho…) but a few upheavals later, Hirani has come up tops with a stellar cast that includes Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor to be supported by Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani. The film will be shot in Simla, Ladakh, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore between September and December this year. "Each film comes with its own destiny," says Hirani philosophically about the change in cast, "It's the second time that a film with Shah Rukh has not worked out…perhaps some other time."

His enthusiasm to make 3 Idiots, a deviation from his Munnabhai series, is undiminished. Neither is he breaking into a cold sweat about directing an actor whose reputation as a ghost director precedes him. "Aamir is somebody who is immensely involved with the project that he works in and I'd rather have an actor who is involved than indifferent." And for those who were wondering, the recently reported five crore remuneration along with a 40 per cent profit-sharing arrangement for the perfectionist Khan is not true.

And what of the popular belief that the film is based on writer Chetan Bhagat's book titled Five Point Someone…?

"Chetan sent me his book and though I liked it, I wasn't sure if it could be turned into a film. The book had a series of events and in that format did not lend itself well to a screenplay. Once we started writing, the scenes kept reducing and it was a different story altogether. So, while the idea about a story set in an educational institute came from the book, the story of the film as it stands is completely different. Chetan is aware of our story and in agreement that it's not his book."

The story set in an engineering college (not IIT) has Hirani all excited. "The unfortunate truth is that the system forces people to pursue success rather than excellence. My belief is that if you pursue excellence, success is bound to follow."

And Hirani should know, for his life has followed the script. Hirani, an FTII alumni (he trained in film editing) with a background in advertising-he's also modeled-is a success story that many in the industry want to emulate. Having come from a middle-class family in Nagpur where he even helped his father sell typewriters, Hirani believes that his small town sensibilities set him apart. He's more amused than excited about attending swish set parties and being linked to glamorous starlets. "When writing my first script, I knew that being seen at social do's would not get me anywhere but a good script would." He approached Vidhu Vinod Chopra -they had worked together on Mission Kashmir which Hirani had edited--for putting him on to actors and so impressed was Chopra with the script that he even decided to produce it. And the rest, to quote a cliché, is history.

The defining feature of Hirani's work perhaps is the ideological core around which he weaves his narrative- Munnabhai MBBS, his first, where Sanjay Dutt the lovable goon, introduced doctors and the world at large to 'jaadu ki jhappi' followed by 'Gandhigiri' in Lage Raho Munnabhai (co-written by Abhijat Joshi) are examples. "A part of it stemmed from my own anger towards doctors in the way they treat patients but I toned it down because one realizes that there are good doctors too."

And yes, he is an ardent believer in the Mahatma and 'Gandhigiri'. Perhaps it is the sum total of such convictions that makes Hirani's brand of aam aadmi stories so popular--as appealing to the corporate tycoon as to the local hick and of course, the B-Town actors. Says Kareena Kapoor, "I am really excited to be working with Vidhuji and one of the finest directors Raju Hirani. My dream of working with Aamir Khan has also come true."

Hirani could take a bow only that being true to his trademark low-key demanour, he would rather wait till the movie gets a thumbs-up from the audiences.

Kajol officially refuses Hirani's project

One of the most talked about projects in the pipeline is the iconic Munnabhai series director, Rajkumar Hirani's next venture with Aamir Khan. While Hirani has gone on record umpteen number of times saying that the movie is not based on Chetan Bhagat's paperback bestseller and is basically about the Indian education system. However, ill-informed media sources continue to refer it as being the screen adaptation of ' Five Point Someone -What Not To Do At IIT'. While old habits die-hard and despite this piece the same reference will continue. Here is the latest about the project, in fact it is a confirmation of what we had hinted at last week in our news item - Ajay's advice to Kajol regarding SRK.

Kajol has now gone on record to say that she has turned down the project, which was earlier turned down by her co-star and friend Shah Rukh Khan, for obvious reasons. She has reportedly allocated the same dates to Karan Johar's next. News is that Kareena Kapoor has accepted Kajol's reject, due to her long time desire of working with the perfectionist Khan.

Well, whichever movie Kajol chooses or has chosen, we are sure that she will do full justice to her role, and meanwhile we are looking to see her back on screen this April with hubby Devgan's U, ME AUR HUM.

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

Bebo's in Idiots now ?

If all goes well, Kareena Kapoor’s dream of working with Aamir Khan might just come true. Last week, she was approached by Rajkumar Hirani to act opposite Aamir in Idiots.

Says a source, “Kareena has always been very keen to work with Aamir and Rajkumar Hirani. Last time, Aamir and Bebo were to work in Mani Ratnam’s Lajjo but the film got scrapped. But now, it seems Kareena may just be working with Aamir. Last week, Kareena and Raju had a hush-hush meeting
where he narrated her the script of Idiots. Kareena is very excited about it.”

The source adds, “Though Kajol is telling people that she hasn’t read Raju’s film and will consider the film after she reads the script. It’s a fact that when Raju found out that she had poked fun at him by asking Shah Rukh Khan who Hirani was and if he was any good as a director, he felt extremely insulted.

He decided to take the script to Kareena who has evinced a keen interest but is trying to work out the dates.”

A source close to Kareena confirms the meeting, “Yes. Its true that Bebo had a closed-door meeting with Raju about Idiots but it’s premature to talk about it. Kareena has loved the Munnabhai films and is very keen to work with Raju.

Kareena is a busy actress who has signed more than five big films this year including Sajid Nadiadwala’s Kambakht Ishq opposite Akshay Kumar and has a huge deal with TV18. If the film with Aamir happens, it will be the cherry on the cake for Kareena.”

Idiots is based on Chetan Bhagat’s Five Point Someone and deals with the story of three IIT students. Hirani has also approached John Abraham, Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan for other roles in the film.

Upala KBR, Mid-Day

Aamir talks about Raju Hirani's film

There’s tremendous speculation vis-à-vis Aamir Khan’s new film. With Aamir’s directorial debut TAARE ZAMEEN PAR releasing this week, the actor can go back to studios and take instructions from other directors. “I need to complete work on the remake of GHAJINI first. We’re halfway through with this film. The makers have been kind enough to wait for me,” Aamir tells me.

There’s talk that the actor has agreed to work in Rajkumar Hirani’s new film, to be produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. “Yes, we’re in negotiations,” Aamir confirms the development. But what about the news that Vidhu requested Aamir to suggest [any] changes in the script, before they start shooting, not once the shooting begins. “What can I say about such absurd allegations? Vidhu never said anything to that effect. Raju is someone I really admire as a film-maker and Vidhu is a great person,” Aamir sets the record straight.

Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM

Ranbir replaces SRK!

Although his debut hasn’t exactly set the cash registers ringing, Ranbir Kapoor seems to have caught many directors’ attention.

The latest is that Ranbir has been finalised to replace Shah Rukh Khan in Raju Hirani’s next. This will be Ranbir’s third film after his dream debut with Bhansali and Yashraj’s next. The film is based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel, Five-Point Someone. Shah Rukh opted out of the film when differences cropped up between him and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Raju Hirani, we hear, is much relieved after Ranbir gave him the nod. Our source says, "Raju Hirani was in a fix as his Munnabhai 3 is stuck due to Sanjay Dutt’s legal problems and Shah Rukh Khan opted out of his other film."

Hirani held detailed narration sessions with Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan, too. Our source reveals, "Both of them were keen to do the film. However, Abhishek’s dates were already booked for Dilli 6, and Hrithik was busy with the pre-production of his films with Anurag Basu and Krrish 2 respectively. The moment Hirani saw the promos of Ranbir’s debut, he made up his mind to approach him."

Hirani even called up Sanjay Leela Bhansali to inquire about Ranbir. "After having had a word with Bhansali, Hirani approached Ranbir. Now everything has been finalised," our source says.

Eager to keep the matter hush-hush, Ranbir’s father Rishi Kapoor denied the news. A close friend of Ranbir
confirmed the story. Raju Hirani remained unavailable for comment.

TNN

Ranbir Kapoor signed for Rajkumar Hirani’s next ?

After the tremendous response that Rajkumar Hirani’s Lage Raho Munnabhai got last year, he became one of the most celebrated actors in the industry. Though ‘Munnabhai’ didn’t go for Oscars, it was highly appreciated by audiences and everyone has been eagerly waiting to know for what Raju has to offer next.

There have been a number of revelations about Hirani’s next project, starting from the film being based on Chetan Bhagat’s successful novel, Five Point Someone. The project got bigger when Shah Rukh Khan’s name got associated with it. But then came a rumour that SRK is not a part of the film anymore and Shah Rukh confirmed of not doing the film in one of his latest interviews. Everyone remained clueless as to who will be the lead in Hirani’s next. However, according to a source, we have learnt that Ranbir Kapoor has been finalised to play the lead role in Rajkumar Hirani’s film. Though the official announcement is yet to be made, the source confirms that Ranbir is almost finalised as the lead actor for the film. Hirani is busy scripting his film and hence he was unavailable for comment.

Ranbir Kapoor will be marking his debut with Saawariya on November 9. Apart from Hirani’s film, he is also said to have signed Siddharth Anand’s next with Yash Raj Films.

IndiaFM