3 Idiots
A vibrant comedic drama that warmly satirizes the pressures of education, seen through the unbreakable bond of three friends on a journey of self-discovery.
3 Idiots
3 Idiots

"Aal Izz Well!"

23 December 2009 India 171 min ⭐ 8.0 (2,542)
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani, Kareena Kapoor Khan
Drama Comedy
Critique of the Education System Pursuit of Passion vs. Societal Pressure The True Meaning of Friendship Redefining Success
Budget: $9,000,000
Box Office: $70,000,000

3 Idiots - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

Kaamyaab hone ke liye nahin, Kaabil hone ke liye padho! Success Ke Peeche Mat Bhaago, Excellence Ka Peecha Karo, Success Jhak Maarke Tumhare Peeche Ayegi.

— Rancho

Context:

Rancho delivers this line to his friends and, in a larger sense, to the audience, to explain his approach to education. He contrasts his desire for knowledge with his classmates' obsession with ranking first, arguing that the goal should be to become truly proficient in one's field.

Meaning:

"Don't study to be successful, study to be capable! Don't run after success, chase excellence. Success will come chasing after you." This is the core philosophy of the film. It encapsulates the idea that true success is a byproduct of genuine knowledge, skill, and passion, not the pursuit of grades or status for their own sake.

Aal Izz Well.

— Rancho

Context:

Rancho introduces this concept early in the film to help his friends cope with the immense pressure of college life. It is used repeatedly in moments of crisis, most notably when they are rushing Raju's ailing father to the hospital on a scooter and during the climactic scene where they have to deliver a baby during a power outage.

Meaning:

"All is well." This simple phrase serves as a mantra to trick the heart into being brave during times of stress and fear. It symbolizes resilience and the power of positive thinking to overcome daunting situations, even if it's a form of self-assurance. It became an immensely popular catchphrase after the film's release.

Dost fail ho jaye toh dukh hota hai … Lekin dost first aa jaye toh zyaada dukh hota hai.

— Farhan (narrating)

Context:

Farhan says this in a voiceover, reflecting on their college results. While he and Raju are happy to have passed, they find themselves at the bottom of the rankings, while their friend Rancho has, without even trying, topped the entire class, leading to this comedic and relatable observation.

Meaning:

"It hurts when a friend fails... but it hurts even more when he comes in first." This quote humorously and honestly captures the complex emotion of jealousy that can exist even in close friendships, especially in a hyper-competitive environment.

Life is a race … If you don't run fast… you will be like a broken andaa…

— Virus

Context:

Virus delivers this line during a speech to the new students and their parents at the beginning of the academic year. He uses the metaphor of a race to instill a sense of fear and urgency, setting the tone for the high-pressure environment of the college.

Meaning:

"Life is a race... if you don't run fast, you will be like a broken egg." This line perfectly summarizes Virus's cynical and brutally competitive worldview, which he tries to impose on his students. It represents the oppressive philosophy that Rancho and his friends are fighting against.

Bachcha kabil bano, kabil… kamyabi toh jhak maar ke peeche bhagegi.

— Rancho

Context:

This is a recurring piece of advice that Rancho gives to his friends and others throughout the film. It serves as a constant reminder of his perspective on education and life, urging them to focus on learning and self-improvement rather than external validation.

Meaning:

"Son, become capable, capable... success will follow you, beating its own drum." A more concise version of his core philosophy, this line reinforces the central theme of the movie. It's a direct piece of advice emphasizing that competence is the true key to achieving lasting success.