When was 3 Idiots released in India?

3 Idiots premiered in Mumbai on 23 December 2009. It released in cinemas across India on 25 December 2009 with a UA certificate.

Who is in the cast of 3 Idiots?

The film stars Aamir Khan as Rancho, R. Madhavan as Farhan, Sharman Joshi as Raju, Kareena Kapoor Khan as Pia, Boman Irani as Virus and Omi Vaidya as Chatur. Mona Singh, Rahul Kumar, Parikshat Sahni and Farida Dadi play supporting roles.

What is the runtime of 3 Idiots?

3 Idiots runs 171 minutes, which is about 2 hours and 51 minutes.

Who directed 3 Idiots?

Rajkumar Hirani directed the film. He co-wrote it with Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Abhijat Joshi.

3 Idiots (2009): Cast, Review & Where to Watch in India

3 Idiots Synopsis: What Is the Story About?

Farhan Qureshi and Raju Rastogi arrive at one of India’s top engineering colleges carrying the hopes of their families, and the pressure that comes with them. Their hostel life changes when they meet Ranchoddas “Rancho” Chanchad, a student who cares more about understanding machines than memorising answers for the next exam.

Rancho questions the rote-learning culture around him, and that puts the trio on a collision course with Viru “Virus” Sahastrabudhhe, the strict head of the institute, who believes life is a race and only winners matter. Things get more complicated when Rancho grows close to Pia, Virus’s daughter. Meanwhile Chatur “Silencer” Ramalingam, a classmate devoted to cramming, becomes the friends’ rival.

Told partly through flashbacks, the film mixes slapstick comedy with heartfelt drama. It follows friendship, family expectations and the fear of failure as three young men work out what they actually want from their lives. The film’s famous line, “Aal Izz Well!”, sums up the spirit of the story.

3 Idiots — Mood illustration, not a still from the film — Mood illustration, not a still from the film

What Makes 3 Idiots Notable

Director and writers: Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, who co-wrote the screenplay with Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Abhijat Joshi.
Cast: Aamir Khan plays Rancho, with R. Madhavan as Farhan and Sharman Joshi as Raju. Kareena Kapoor Khan plays Pia and Boman Irani plays Virus. The supporting cast includes Omi Vaidya as Chatur, Mona Singh as Mona, Rahul Kumar as Millimeter, and Parikshat Sahni and Farida Dadi as Mr. and Mrs. Qureshi.
Production: Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra Productions and Vinod Chopra Films.
Genre and language: A Hindi comedy-drama (with some English dialogue) and a coming-of-age story set in an engineering college. It looks at India’s education system, middle-class aspirations and student pressure.
Runtime: 171 minutes (2 hours 51 minutes).

The movie is from 2009, so it is not one of this season’s new movies. It is still a popular pick for viewers who want a feel-good campus story. If you’re looking for a review, the Drama4U Score on this page summarises how audiences rate it.

Who Will Enjoy 3 Idiots

Students and young professionals who know the pressure of exams and career choices
Fans of Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Boman Irani or Rajkumar Hirani’s films
Viewers who enjoy comedy with an emotional, inspirational core
Families looking for a UA-certified film to watch together
Anyone who likes stories about lasting college friendships

3 Idiots Release Date & Where to Watch in India

Box office release date in India: The film premiered in Mumbai on 23 December 2009. It opened in cinemas across India on 25 December 2009 with a UA certificate.

Home and TV releases:

DVD/VCD: 27 August 2010
Premium edition DVD/VCD: 1 October 2010
Special Edition Blu-ray: 5 November 2010
TV premiere on Sony MAX: 25 July 2010
The film was also screened at the Himalayan Film Festival on 24 September 2021.

Where to watch online in India: 3 Idiots is available to rent or buy on YouTube. A subscription OTT platform such as Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar, ZEE5 or SonyLIV is not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of 24 October 2026. An official trailer is available.

Trailer

Cast

Aamir Khanas Ranchoddas "Rancho" Chanchad
R. Madhavanas Farhan Qureshi
Sharman Joshias Raju Rastogi
Kareena Kapoor Khanas Pia Sahastrabudhhe
Boman Iranias Viru "Virus" Sahastrabudhhe
Omi Vaidyaas Chatur "Silencer" Ramalingam
Mona Singhas Mona Sahastrabuddhe
Rahul Kumaras Millimeter

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When was 3 Idiots released in India?: 3 Idiots premiered in Mumbai on 23 December 2009. It released in cinemas across India on 25 December 2009 with a UA certificate.
Where can I watch 3 Idiots online in India?: You can rent or buy 3 Idiots on YouTube in India. A subscription OTT platform such as Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar, ZEE5 or SonyLIV is not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of 24 October 2026.
Who is in the cast of 3 Idiots?: The film stars Aamir Khan as Rancho, R. Madhavan as Farhan, Sharman Joshi as Raju, Kareena Kapoor Khan as Pia, Boman Irani as Virus and Omi Vaidya as Chatur. Mona Singh, Rahul Kumar, Parikshat Sahni and Farida Dadi play supporting roles.
What is the runtime of 3 Idiots?: 3 Idiots runs 171 minutes, which is about 2 hours and 51 minutes.
Who directed 3 Idiots?: Rajkumar Hirani directed the film. He co-wrote it with Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Abhijat Joshi.

Sources

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