From the man behind those decade-defining Munnabhai films, however, it is far from his best work. I’m going with three out of five for director Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots, an earnest but calculated effort that runs, but never flies. Watch it anyway, because it’s the season to be jolly, and good laughs are guaranteed.

The high point of the film is the fact that director Rajkumar Hirani says so much, and more, without losing his sense of humour and the sheer lightness of being. The film is a laugh riot, despite being high on fundas.

The fact that you don’t feel like the fourth idiot watching 3 Idiots is, for its genre, the greatest relief. This is in every way Munnabhai – part 3. I think you shouldn’t miss it at all.

Book your tickets for consecutive shows because one viewing isn’t enough to savour 3 Idiots. Quite easily, this is the film of the year. Nothing else comes even close.

3 Idiots is a film that appears borrowed from too many sources and the haphazardness shows. Editor-director Rajkumar Hirani can’t seem to shake Munnabhai out of his system and appears to have replaced the actor and the setting, while retaining the core formula. Unfortunately, 3 Idiots lacks the effortless simplicity, sweetness and honesty of the Munnabhai films. Though a bit too calculated and designed, 3 Idiots is still an ok option for the significant message, interesting cast and scattered breezy moments.