Rajkumar Hirani reflects on criticism about a scene from '3 Idiots' and stresses the importance of the need for sensitivity in comedy.
Rajkumar Hirani is a renowned filmmaker who has received several accolades for his spectacular work in the entertainment industry. His works often are a lighthearted take on significant societal issues. Some of his most popular works include Munna Bhai MBBS, 3 Idiots, PK, and Sanju, among others.
3 Idiots has made a special place in the hearts of cinema lovers. The film has earned both critical acclaim and box office success. However, recently, when the filmmaker sat for a conversation with Komal Nahta on his YouTube channel, he revealed he was criticised for a scene from the well-acclaimed film. Rajkumar, during the conversation, shared that once being a member of the veteran actor, Aamir Khan's team made him realise the importance of being more mindful of his films.
The filmmaker was asked about 'getting away' with mocking poor people in a scene from his film, 3 Idiots. Rajkumar responded that he doesn't always get away with it and how a boy named Sachin criticised him for making fun of the less fortunate in the film. He stated:
"I don’t think I got away with it. A boy, Sachin, who works with Aamir Khan, came to me after watching the film and said, 'Sir, the film was good, but I didn't like one thing, aapne gareebon ka mazaak banaya hai.'"
In the same conversation, Rajkumar Hirani clarified his intent while making the film. He revealed that he never intended to mock poverty but made a satirical remark about the black-and-white age of cinema. He added that he wanted to portray what the films back then did. He stated:
"I was actually referring to cinema. There was a time when black-and-white films often showed an ill father, an unmarried sister, and a mother struggling for survival. But after this comment, I realised that the scene could be interpreted differently and might affect someone."
However, the comment made him realise that he needed to be more careful. For the unversed, the scene in question features Aamir, who played the role of 'Ranchhoddas' and R Madhavan, who was seen as 'Farhan Qureshi' were having a meal at Sharman Joshi, aka, 'Raju Rastogi's' house. In the scene, Raju's mother, played by Amardeep Jha, is seen scratching her paralysed husband's chest with the same belan she was using to make rotis. He was quoted saying:
"It made me understand that one should be a little more careful. Someone once said that comedy often comes from the misfortunes of others. When we create comedy in cinema, we are often making fun of someone. So, if we continue making films and comedies, someone will always be the subject of humour. We should be conscious, but at the same time, people should be sporting enough to take it in the right spirit."
The beloved comedy-drama was written and directed by Rajkumar Hirani, co-written by Abhijat Joshi, and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The film starred Kareena Kapoor Khan, Mona Singh, Boman Irani, and Omi Vaidya in pivotal roles. The film was a massive box office success, with a staggering collection of Rs. 460 crore worldwide.
What are your thoughts on Rajkumar Hirani's revelation?
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