What did I learn from "3 Idiots"?

"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." - Raj Kumar Hirani, director of 3 idiots.

Story Line: What did I learn from "3 Idiots", By Samuel George

Recently I watched the Hindi movie “3 idiots”, which is being reported as the highest money grosser in Bollywood movie history! This movie focuses on the current issues with the education system and showcases contrasting views provided by the engineering college head, Prof. Viru Sahastrabudhhe (or ViruS in short form) with the out of box thinking provided by Rancho, an enterprising engineering student.
 
Here, I wanted to share a few points from the movie which are also relevant for the business professionals.
 
1. Striving for success vs focusing on excellence: Professor ViruS had a very successful career by becoming the head of the most prestigious institute in the country and focused on maximizing his output every day (he writes with both hands and shaves while taking a 7 minute power nap after lunch). However, he cared very little about relationships both with his students or his family and consistently used fear to get his way with them. On the other hand, Rancho focused on developing his knowledge through curiosity and used his engineering talent to help others in need. While the professor’s interactions cost lives, Rancho’s contributions saved people from death and inspired them to new heights. 

2. Fear of failure vs learning with passion:  In the movie, a number of students entered the engineering school because of pressure from family but against their own wishes. This caused them to have a subpar performance and always fear failure during tests, causing some to commit suicide. In contrast, Rancho came to the institute by his own desire to learn about building machines, and his curiosity and talent helped him to top the final exams, to everybody’s surprise! 

3. Performance review vs mentoring for growth:  While the tests at the end of a semester are a good way to evaluate a student’s knowledge of the subject, this movie puts forward the idea that this by itself should not be the end. Instead, the next step should be mentoring the student on what the gaps were and how he/she could do better. The example shared in the movie was that if a doctor checks your blood cholesterol and finds a problem; does he/she not work with the patient to correct the problem? 

Reflection:

After watching the movie, it was interesting to note that a lot of these out of box thinking principles have been shared before by the Friday Reflections team! I invite the other readers who have watched the movie to provide feedback on their observations as well.

If you haven’t watched the movie yet, you can read the story outline here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_Idiots

 

Comments

[oliver]

Hillariouis movie that presents real life idiots that are all arouund us including the man in the mirror across us.

[Dennis Shen]

Does movie have subtitles? I see it is shown in theatres in my locality

[Kevin]

I think this post is very true. It's important in life for people to find their passion and allow themselves to grow and learn from their experiences.

[alka pandya]

what a fantastic film....we were in splits and roaring with laughter... after a long wait for a good film release one could sit through a three hour film without complaining of boredom or backache...

[N]

"...if you pursue excellence, success is bound to follow." Unfortunately, my experience has proven otherwise.

[Desai]

YES, Dennis Shen, the movie has English subtitles. You will have fun watching. My 12 year old US born son, who does not speak/read Hindi, and still enjoyed it when we show it in India over x-mas holidays. Yes, he said subtitles sure would have help - and so he want to see it again with subtitles, now that we are back in BayArea. Go see the movie it funny yet though provoking as Sam pointed out in his reflection blog, you will enjoy it. It will be on available from Netflix too in couple of months.

[Average Joe]

You hit it right on the nail "Striving for success vs focusing on excellence." This is what parents and school system does; so much hype of the grades that students focus on methods to get grades than learn. Creative ideas become risky because 1 point difference gets a different. Unfortunately this behavior becomes so ingrained in students that when they face real life they are afraid to take risks, and miss opportunities to do their personal best.
Then they wonder, why an average (but street smart) guy in school goes on to become their leader.

[Forrest Gump]

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGky0Ra1FLK8IADGZXNyoA?fr2=sg-gac&sado=1&p=forrest%20gump&fr=moz2&pqstr=forest%20g&gprid=MNxksrQiQO63K6Fz9PSCUA&sac=1&sao=1

[Peter Joseph III]

Wow I just found this place and I LOVE it already, this is already my fourth reply in 30mins with my first being Albert Einsteins quote about "not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts" =) Now after reading the excerpt for this movie and all your guys's great reviews, I am gonna have to watch this movie =D

P.S. I am getting a very strong positive vibe from this website, Im gonna share it with my best friend...The funny thing is her and I just had dinner tonight and couldnt stop talking about spirituality and God and positivity, man i sound like a square LOL I LOVE IT!! =D

[Mark]

The root cause of the problem is the system and behavior of most people. What do you ask kids when they come home with a report card?
How do you measure your people at work?

It takes a lot of strong will for people like Rancho in your story.

Excellent story Samuel. Thanks

[Rajan]

Here are some Ranchos from the modern days

http://www.college-startup.com/college/15-successful-entrepreneurs-who-didnt-need-college/

[Samuel]

Thanks everybody for sharing your perspectives. Knowledge shared is knowledge gained.

[micro CEO]

Sounds like an interesting movie. I will look for it in DVD when available. To Rajan: Great list of entrepreneurs!

[Joyp]

In business practice, those who are with average IQ but street smart usually become the top bosses, it means now a days Emotional Quotient or EQ is much more important than IQ. I will watch the movie once it's available in our country.

[coach handbags]

There is no doubt that happiness is the most precious thing in the world. Without it, life will be empty and meaningless. happiness consists in contentment. A man who is dissatisfied with his present condition is always in distress.

[online bollywood movies]

You& enjoy watching. My 12 year old son who does not speak American Reading / Hindi, and yet he enjoyed when we show it in India during x-mas vacation. Yes, you help the sub-titles - and he wants to see with subtitles, we are now back in Bayar