Brilliant Minds Unleashed - Top 10 Movies Like 3 Idiots That Will Inspire Your Journey!

IMDb score: 7.7/10

If you want to watch some movies like 3 Idiots, why not start with the remake of the film - Nanban? Nanban is a Tamil scene-by-scene remake of 3 Idiots directed by Shankar and written by Rajkumar Hirani. The cast includes Vijay as Papu, Jiiva as Sevarkodi Senthil, Srikanth as Venkat Ramakrishnan, Ileana D'Cruz as Riya, Sathyaraj as Virumandi “Virus” Santhanam, and Sathyan as Srivatsan.

Nanban’s soundtrack and background score were written by Harris Jayaraj, while the cinematography was handled by Manoj Paramahamsa. The film was produced by Gemini Picture. On January 12, 2012, Nanban was released to generally positive reviews and grossed ₹150 crore at the box office. Nanban, in my opinion, is one of the rare remake films that has received a positive reception from all corners since its premiere.

I’m happy to say that director Shankar really did the original version of 3 Idiots Justice, adapting the film for Tamil audiences while retaining all the positive aspects of the blockbuster Hindi film. There’s one area where Nanban even surpassed 3 Idiots, and that is the excellent soundtrack composed by Harris Jayaraj. "Askku laska" and "En frienda pola yaaru machan" are the movie's standout tunes for me. If you are a fan of 3 Idiots, this movie should definitely be on your watch list.

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IMDb score: 8.1/10

Three young lads: Akash (Aamir Khan), Sameer (Saif Ali Khan), and Siddharth (Akshaye Khanna), are good friends, yet their likes and personalities are diametrically opposed. As a result, when Siddharth falls in love with a much older woman, Tara (Dimple Kapadia), a lady who has been unsuccessful in keeping her marriage intact as well as an alcoholic, increases the gulf between the three, leading them to split ways.

Years later, the trio will be reunited, much more mature and understanding, but will they still accept Siddharth's love for Tara, especially when they themselves have fallen in love with women their own age? Written and directed by Farhan Akhtar and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Dil Chahta Hai, like 3 Idiots, is a comedy-drama movie about a group of three friends.

The film received great critical acclaim for its unique plot, direction, soundtrack, cinematography, costumes, and cast performances upon release. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Dil Chahta Hai is its realistic depiction of modern Indian youth, for which the movie is now generally regarded as a cult classic. This underrated gem, despite only doing moderately at the box office, has influenced many similar films in this genre.

Another thing I love about this movie is the lack of a storyline. The film just... glides along. But that's part of what makes it so fantastic: It’s unpredictable and naturalistic. The three main characters' camaraderie is what holds the narrative together. All of the performances were excellent, particularly Aamir Khan's. While not exactly similar to 3 Idiots in theme and story, Dil Chahta Hai is just as groundbreaking and an excellent Bollywood comedy-drama that deserves a viewing.

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IMDb score: 8.2/10

Another film revolving around a young trio of friends. In Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, three boyhood friends: Arjun (Hrithik Roshan), Kabir (Abhay Deol), and Imran (Farhan Akhtar) decide to embark on a three-week bachelor road trip to Spain in order to re-establish their connection and have adventurous adventures before one of them marries.

What will they discover about themselves and each other as a result of the adventure? Directed by Zoya Akhtar and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Dobara was a massive success. Not only did the film gross ₹1.53 billion at the box office, but it also received tremendous accolades from critics for its directing, plot, script, music, comedy, cinematography, and acting.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara went on to receive 13 nominations at the 57th Filmfare Awards and won 7 of them, including Best Film, Best Film (Critics), Best Director (Zoya Akhtar) and Best Supporting Actor (Farhan Akhtar). The film also won 2 awards at the 59th National Film Awards, for Best Audiography (Baylon Fonseca) and Best Choreography (Bosco-Caesar for "Senorita").

This film is a joy ride filled with subtle humor. Farhan Akhtar's comedy timing is flawless. Like 3 Idiots, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’s theme deals with serious life issues, but the exquisite comedy kept me entertained through and through. That, in my opinion, is a sign of a well-written script. I would recommend this film to any fan of comedy-drama movies like 3 Idiots.

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IMDb score: 8.3/10

Chhichhore tells the story of Aniruddh "Anni" Pathak (Sushant Singh Rajput), a father whose son Raghav (Mohammad Samad) attempts suicide after failing to clear the JEE entrance examination. Despite surviving, Raghav is unwilling to live due to the fear of being labeled as a "loser," prompting a desperate Anni to recount to Raghav his own experience at college, where he and his five friends were also labeled "losers”, and how they managed to remove that tag.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and written by Tiwari in collaboration with Piyush Gupta and Nikhil Mehrotra, and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Chhichhore was released in September 2019 to great critical acclaim for its direction, storyline, dialogues, humour, and performances. The film grossed ₹215 crores worldwide and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi at the 67th National Film Awards.

Chichhore not only lived up to my expectations but went above and beyond. There were several genuinely hilarious moments that stuck with me long after I had finished the movie. The unusual cast performed admirably. Shraddha Kapoor didn’t have much dialogue, yet she makes the most out of her limited screen time.

Sushant Singh Rajput once again proves to be an underrated actor, he deserved all the praise he got for his performance in this film. This movie is similar to 3 Idiots yet stands on its own as a good piece of cinema, I definitely recommend it to those who love feel-good movies like 3 Idiots.

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IMDb score: 8.3/10

Taare Zameen Par delves into the life and imagination of Ishaan (Safary), a 9-year-old boy who, despite excelling in art, has poor academic performance, prompting his parents to send him to a boarding school, where his new art teacher, Nikumbh (Khan), suspects he is dyslexic and assists him in overcoming his reading disorder. Amole Gupte, the film's creative director and writer, came up with the idea alongside his wife Deepa Bhatia, who was also the film's editor.

The film's soundtrack was composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, while many of the songs' lyrics were written by Prasoon Joshi. Released in December 2007, Taare Zameen Par hit it big at the global box office, grossing ₹1.35 billion worldwide. Like the other films on this list, the movie received great critical acclaim for its story, screenplay, direction, dialogues, soundtrack, and acting.

It received a record-breaking 11 nominations at Filmfare Awards, including Best Actor (Safary), Best Supporting Actor (Aamir Khan), and Best Supporting Actress (Chopra), and a record-breaking 5 awards, including Best Film, Best Director (Aamir Khan), and Best Lyricist (Joshi for "Maa"). To me, Taare Zameen Par is so gripping because it captures the feelings of a terrified little child who keeps running into the same wall no matter how hard he tries; his persistence and bravery are incredibly inspiring to witness.

Safary’s excellent performance really sold the emotions and inner pain that Ishaan goes through. Not only that, but the film also proved to be crucial in spreading awareness about dyslexia. This is the kind of movie that sticks with you long after you see it. Taare Zameen Par is not a comedy film, but if you love coming-of-age movies like 3 Idiots that address the mental health issues of struggling students, then this movie is definitely for you.

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IMDb: 7.3/10

Tamasha tells the story of Ved Vardhan Sahni (played by Kapoor) as a 9-year-old kid, a 19-year-old adolescent, and a 30-year-old adult in a non-linear narrative. This film follows the journey of someone who has lost his edge while attempting to conform to acceptable social customs. The film is centered on the fundamental issue of abrasion and loss of self that occurs throughout the search for oneself.

Written and directed by Imtiaz Ali and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Tamasha was released on November 27, 2015, to polarizing reviews from critics, who praised Kapoor and Padukone's performances but deemed the plot too complex. The film grossed ₹136.63 crore globally against a budget of ₹87 crore. A moderate success at best, but that’s why I consider this movie a hidden gem.

Some people may be put off by the reviews, but I assure you, this movie is a hidden gem if you are someone who can appreciate the unorthodox narrative. To put it simply, Tamasha is a stunning critique of a modern society that manages to suck away an individual's passion and kills them from the inside. This film is a somewhat unusual rom-com that I quite enjoyed. The second half in particular is exceptional for a film of this type.

The cinematography was good, the editing was excellent, the soundtrack was enjoyable, and the acting is fantastic. I should not talk more about the plot, this movie is something you need to experience to understand. Tamasha is not simple to understand, at least not for everyone. There will undoubtedly be mixed reactions to the film. But if you are into coming-of-age movies like 3 Idiots that criticize the reality of modern culture, then give Tamasha a chance.

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IMDb score: 8.1/10

The film is set in Mumbai and follows Munna Bhai (Sanjay Dutt), a goon who pretends to be a doctor in order to impress his father (Sunil Dutt). When a doctor, Asthana (Boman Irani), uncovers Munna's falsehoods and sullies his father's reputation, Munna enrolls in medical school. Munna pledges vengeance after learning that Asthana is the college's dean, while simultaneously igniting a romance with a house doctor, Suman (Singh), who is ignorant that she is Asthana's daughter.

Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. was the directorial debut of Rajkumar Hirani – the director of 3 Idiots. It turned out to be a critical and box office success, so much so that it received a sequel, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, which became the first episode in the Munna Bhai film series. Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film in 2004, as well as other Filmfare awards, including Best Film (Critics) and Best Screenplay.

This film skyrocketed Rajkumar Hirani’s career and he went on to become one of the most successful filmmakers in Indian cinema. If comedy is what you’re after in movies like 3 Idiots, then Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. fits the bill perfectly. The audience was exploding with raucous laughter when I saw this movie in the theatre. Yet it is not simply a dumb hollow comedy without any substance.

There is a perfect blend of comedic and emotional scenes in this film, and the emotional ones are quite moving. The concept is simple but inspiring, just like that of 3 Idiots. Overall, this movie is a good time.

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IMDb score: 8.1/10

The plot of PK revolves around an unwitting extraterrestrial (Aamir Khan) who crashes on Earth but loses his communication gear. He meets Jaggu (Anushka Sharma), a broken-hearted reporter, and attempts to locate his gadget. He poses several thought-provoking topics throughout time. Following the success of 3 Idiots (2009), Hirani and Joshi went on to write PK. So if you love 3 Idiots, then you’ll appreciate the good writing in this film too.

Shantanu Moitra, Ajay-Atul, and Ankit Tiwari composed the film's soundtrack, and Swanand Kirkire, Amitabh Varma, and Manoj Muntashir wrote the lyrics. The film's distribution rights were obtained by UTV Motion Pictures.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, PK garnered favorable reviews at release, with critics praising Khan's acting and the film's comedy. At the 60th Filmfare Awards, the film earned eight nominations and won two.

It also received five Producers Guild Film Awards and two Screen Awards. PK also won the Telstra People's Choice Award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. Not only was PK a critical success, but also an economical one. It was the first Indian film to make more than ₹7 billion and US$100 million worldwide, despite being produced on a $1.22 billion budget. It was the highest-grossing Indian film of all time at the time of its release.

The same crew that brought us 3 Idiots did not disappoint with PK. Everyone in the film performed admirably. The way societal issues are addressed is excellent. As a comedy, I must say 3 Idiots is still superior to PK. However, when it comes to societal themes, I think PK outperforms 3 Idiots. PK is Aamir Khan's and Raju Hiranis's most notable achievement to date. This movie has it all: Emotion, drama, comedy, and a thought-provoking message, all packed inside a beautiful script.

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IMDb score: 7.4/10

What’s better than a comedic trio? How about a comedic quartet? Golmaal: Fun Unlimited tells the story of Gopal (Ajay Devgn), Lucky (Tusshar Kapoor), Madhav (Arshad Warsi), and Laxman (Sharman Joshi) - four guys united by their childish infamy, aimlessness, and petty business of duping people for fun and money. Laxman is a brilliant student who is not permitted to pass by his naughty pals Gopal, Madhav, and the silent Lucky.

After being kicked out of college, the mischievous quartet takes sanctuary in the bungalow of a blind couple as their grandson. Directed by Rohit Shetty, written by Neeraj Vora, and produced by Dhilin Mehta, Golmaal: Fun Unlimited was released to mixed to good reviews, but was a commercial success, grossing ₹467.2 million worldwide against a budget of ₹150 million. Needless to say, this movie now has a cult following. If you are looking for a fun comedy movie like 3 Idiots, then this might just be the one.

I ran out of breath laughing when I watched Golmaal: Fun Unlimited for the first time. The humor was original, and the incredible chemistry that the four male lead actors (Devgan, Kapoor, Warsi, and Sharman Joshi) share gives this movie the necessary 'kick'. The film has its drawbacks, such as a minor role for the heroine, the waste of a stalwart like Paresh Rawal, and a drab finale, but overall, it is a hilarious, enjoyable movie.

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IMDb score: 7.4/10

Jai (Imran Khan) and Aditi (Genelia D'Souza) have been great friends since they were children. They share everything and are absolutely attached, so much so that their parents decide to marry them.

They object, though, and resolve to look for soulmates for each other. What will become of their friendship? A coming-of-age romantic comedy film, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na was written and directed by Abbas Tyrewala and produced by Mansoor Khan and Aamir, with Ajay K. Bijli and Sanjeev K. Bijli of PVR Pictures acting as co-producers.

It marks the full-fledged screenplay and directing debut of writer Tyrewala. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na proved to be a huge commercial hit, grossing approximately ₹532 million and being praised for its directing, plot, script, soundtrack, cinematography, and cast performances. The film's music, created by A. R. Rahman, also gained widespread critical praise and economic success upon its first release. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na is another rom-com college movie about a group of friends like 3 Idiots.

In every aspect of this project, the performance is unquestionably above average. The basic concept is not new, but the approach is absolutely distinctive. The writing and music are the film's strengths. The soundtrack composed by the renowned A.R. Rahman really elevated the movie. The directing undoubtedly has issues, but so does every film. I definitely recommend this to fans of rom-com movies like 3 Idiots.

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3 Idiots is one of the most influential and globally recognized movies that has ever come out of Bollywood. That being said, there is no sequel for this classic comedy-drama movie, which leaves fans wanting more. As we conclude our list of movies like 3 Idiots, we hope you have found our curated selection both insightful and inspiring. Each film on this list possesses its own charm and storytelling prowess, ensuring a captivating experience for every viewer.

Whether you seek heartwarming friendships, thought-provoking messages, or uplifting stories of overcoming obstacles, these movies have something to offer. Remember, cinema has the power to touch our hearts, ignite our imaginations, and leave a lasting impact on our lives. So, gather your popcorn, embrace the emotions, and let these remarkable movies like 3 Idiots transport you to new worlds of laughter, tears, and valuable life lessons. Check out our website for more articles about TV and movies.