The highest grossing Bollywood film of all times, 3 Idiots, inspired Rohith Narayanan, to make his own home grown version that explored the theme of friendship among college-going students.

His film titled 4 Idiots is loosely based on a popular short story wherein the friends persuade their professor into giving them a re-exam. They claim to have missed writing the original exam due to a flat tyre preventing them from reaching the exam venue on time.

The professor obliges, but includes a surprise question in the re-exam. “Which tyre?” The students have to answer. Was it the front or rear tyre, was it the left or right tyre? The students decide to come clean and add a fifth choice that they mark – None of the above.

Their professor is amused.

“Although this didn’t really happen during our college days, the characters in the film are all based on my wonderful friends at Amrita. Rajan, Manu, Vinu and Vincent are four boys who study together and help each other out. But they don’t always make the best decisions and sometimes get into trouble,” shared film maker Rohit.

As final-year student of B.Tech. (Electronics and Communication Engineering) at Amritapuri campus, Rohit has spent nearly four years now with his friends from his engineering class.

He was thrilled when he recently received admission into the Whistling Woods International Institute in Mumbai, where he will pursue a Diploma in Film Making (Direction), upon graduation from Amrita.

The Institute ranks among the top 10 film making schools around the world.

Why the switch in career?

“I chose to enter the film industry solely because of the interest I have in this field. I want every one of my films to impart a relevant message,” he said.

Expressing his gratitude to his friends in Amrita who fully supported his journey in exploring a creative new world, he said, “It was the interaction with classmates while making my short film at Amrita that encouraged me to pursue my dream. I feel all my experiences in Amrita will really help me in the future.”

Rohit does not believe that creative artists should lead undisciplined lives.

“A disciplined life can offer simplicity and a clear mind with which one can work. Most important is divinity. Talent along with divinity is at the root of creativity. One must be as close to God as one is to the camera,” he said.

May 3, 2012
School of Engineering, Amritapuri