So for everyone who was doubtful about Raju Hirani being 3rd Time Lucky (After blockbusters like munnabhai MBBS and munnabhai lage raho), let me say: “Aal Izz Well !”

Story is based on the best-selling novel of India “5 point someone” by Chetan Bhagat. However, Hirani and his partner in crime Abhijat Joshi builds a thought provoking and motivating screenplay with support from Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

Rancho (Aamir Khan) is a unique student who arrives in Imperial College to actually study engineering and not to mug through all his college days to shine on his mark sheets. Making a great impression on his first day to hostel by giving a lesson to the seniors involved in hideous ragging, Rancho becomes buddy and guru to his room mates Raju Rustogi (Sharman Joshi) and Farhan Qureshi (Madhavan). They do everything which a student shall not do (what not to do at IIT ?) in college but become enriched by the experience and for betterment of themselves and their lives. But the at the end of the college day, Rancho disappears without even saying bye. Where does he go? Why does he go?

The writer duo have used the basic plots of the novel and used those perfectly where needed. To make the intelligent story work on the silver screen and to be appealing to the lowest common denominator also, the writers used some cinematic liberties which are out of screen so fast that you don’t mind them. 2 thumbs up for the writers who did not let the past success go in their head and took extra effort to make this one work. It was indeed a big task.

Hirani gets the solid foundation in writing itself and creates his Taj Mahal on it using his sheer genius and carefully honed talent that of a Director. The methods he has used to touch the heart of the audience while keeping the whole affair light and easy are indigenous and out of this world (like the poverty flashback of Rastogi, sharman joshi’s, family or the suicide tale of him). Hirani is one of those directors in the world who can bring tears in your eyes while having smiles on ur face. It is a no mean feet to achieve. Kudos to Raju Hirani for his sincerity, efforts and positive attitude towards problem solving. And Thank Santa to send Hirani to east than west. Nagpur will be proud of Hiran for generations to come. Aal will always be well with this man.

Like Vidhu Vinod Chopra says “A film is a writer’s child first which becomes the directors child later and then that of actors. At the end it becomes the child of the producer”. So after writing and direction the department where this film excels and actually pushes the envelop once again is performances.

Aamir as always does better than his last in the role of a unique and extraordinary student Rancho who is on the lookout for excellence. Aamir preaches what he follows “Success ke pichche mat bhago. Excellence ke pichche bhago, success tumhare pichche bhagega”.

The film is not only about him but is also about Sharman and Madhavan’s characters. They both etch out their roles perfectly. The one guy who impresses and has great future is Omi who essays the role of Chathur the competitive student who is born in Uganda and brought up in Pondicherry. His speech is going to leave audience in splits for a long while. Boman Irani is at his best again and proves that he delivers his best under great directors like Hirani. He runs the college and his daughter Pia (Kareena Kapoor) runs away with Rancho. Kareena Kapoor is sure an asset to this industry now. She only needs a good script and an able director and she can manage anything she is thrown at. She lits up the screen whenever she comes on the screen. In her advertised de-glamorised look she is able to make the audience miss a heart beat with her demure and class. Her role is small but she makes the most out of it in this all male tale. The another woman who shines is her sister on screen Mona Singh. Its sad that her role is small but I am sure she will be seen often now on Big screen where she deserves to be. She is a total bindhast actress without inhibitions and that makes her performances very real. Javed Jaffery, who does his job well, has a surprise role which comes at a surprise moment. The twist comes at interval and is really makes audiences to come back to theatre soon.

The music is already chart-buster though 2 songs seems to be out of place. Shantanu Moitra does a fab job as Music Director and so does Swanand KirKire as lyricist. However, the first half is cramped with songs. That’s one of the downer in this film with another being a low excitement phase after the initial roller coaster ride where Rancho explains the need of right education. That 5-10 mins are less catchy.

Apart from that, the movie has so many things packed in its long running lengths of 2hrs 45min but those are all so interesting and unique that you will won’t move ur eyes off the screen. Over hyped and hideously marketed Hollywood movies (read AVATAR here) must take a clue from our own desi Raju Hirani on how to make big length movies without making them feel lengthy.

The production values are great and Vidhu Vinod Chopra must be thanked to bring so many genius talents for one project. Not always such things happen though we pray it does.

So all is well that ends well. The movie leaves you spellbound and enlightened. And that’s why movies are for… to entertain and enlighten…. isn’t it?

BR Rating: ****1/2
BR Verdict: EXTRAORDINARY!!!
BR Recommends: Watch it with full family and friends. If you can afford, sponsor your neighbourhood for the movie. It won’t go waste. Schools and colleges must sponsor this movie to the pupils and parents both. States must give tax free status to the movie immediately. It’s an unforgettable Xmas gift from Bollywood to the world.

It handles a very important subject which can help avoid wastage of sheer talents (due to faulty education and social system) which this country is able to produce.

Run…. book the tickets … because those aren’t available aplenty.