Bollywood Movie Featuring Wheelchair User Breaks Records in India And Worldwide

Bollywood film 3 Idiots has broken box office records in India and globally, taking more than £43m worldwide since its 24 December release.

It has broken records for Indian films in the US, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Fiji and Kenya.

Cinemas in Indian have added extra showings of the film.

Leading Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, 44, who stars as a student who mysteriously disappears, said he was “so happy” with the film’s success.

The film is one of those rare Bollywood films that urges you to be a better human being Rajeev Masand Entertainment reporter

Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra said: “I am thrilled and humbled that so many people all over the world have loved this film.”

The film, which was released at the end of a year of disappointing ticket sales for Bollywood, has been watched by more than 60 million people.

Indian entertainment reporter Rajeev Masand told BBC Asian Network: “The film is one of those rare Bollywood films that urges you to be a better human being.

“It questions the education system and what is wrong with our education style.

“It tells us why it is important to be good in life and I think that kind of reassurance is something that an Indian audience always looks for.

“I don’t think its one of the best films to come out of India, it’s certainly one of the most crowd-pleasing.”

I saw 3 Idiots recently, and I can describe it as an Indian version of Avatar. Not because it has any connection to science fiction, but because of the storyline. One of the characters ends up in a wheelchair for a short time after a failed suicide attempt- but most of the cinema, including me, was too busy laughing at the hilarious comedy to notice the wheelchair for very long!

The movie made me very happy because, after seeing it, I realised that Avatar, and Hollywood, are not alone in being able to feature disability without focusing on disability. This made me proud to be a fan of Bollywood movies. So I am very pleased to read that 3 Idiots has done so well at the box office.

By the way, everyone I know who has an interest in Bollywood loved the movie (and no one mentioned the wheelchair). So it is highly recommended to any of you who may be interested.