In this episode, we take on 3 Idiots (2009) — one of Bollywood’s most iconic comedies, blending college drama, coming-of-age chaos, and Aamir Khan’s signature rebellious energy. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the movie follows three engineering students navigating India’s hyper-competitive academic system, questioning authority, and — naturally — breaking into song about it.

Right away, we found ourselves grappling with the movie’s wild tonal shifts. One minute it’s goofy slapstick comedy, with squirt guns and pranks — and the next minute it’s a deeply emotional critique of academic pressure, student suicides, and the crushing weight of parental expectations. Khilli pointed out how much of the film reads like an Indian parent's fantasy — a dream version of a student who is not only brilliant and rebellious but also respectful, kind-hearted, and somehow a midwife when needed.

We spent a good chunk of time talking about the film’s portrayal of education — its message about creativity vs. rote memorization, and how the system crushes individuality. But we also questioned whether the movie has a strange admiration for cleverness for its own sake. I argued that a lot of these Bollywood “clever guys” — both in 3 Idiots and in PK — feel like the kind of people you wouldn’t actually want to hang out with in real life. Khilli explained that the original novel Five Point Someone was much more grounded and slice-of-life, while the movie cranks everything up to maximum Bollywood spectacle.

Naturally, the conversation drifted to how 3 Idiots weirdly overlaps with PK. Both movies feature Aamir Khan playing a quirky outsider who arrives to challenge social norms, talk back to authority, and drop endless life lessons. It almost felt like we were watching a cinematic universe of smug advice-giving dudes. It’s a very specific vibe.

And of course, we couldn’t talk about 3 Idiots without getting stuck on the phrase “Zooby Dooby.” Nicky confessed that this song has been living rent-free in their head since college — a Bollywood earworm that refuses to leave. We joked about how this movie embeds itself in your brain in the weirdest ways — whether it’s the musical numbers, the elaborate birth scene with vacuum-assisted delivery, or the unforgettable mantra: “All is well.”

In the end, 3 Idiots is a movie that somehow manages to balance genuine emotional beats with absurd comedy, big musical numbers, and a wildly earnest message about following your dreams — even if you have to hack a drone, become a world-famous scientist, or help deliver a baby in the process.