The second edition of the Indian Film Festival in Singapore (IFF 2026) concluded on a high note with the sold-out screening of 3 Idiots, a critically-acclaimed Bollywood blockbuster, on March 8 at Golden Village, Suntec City.
The 2009 Hindi comedy-drama film about two friends in search of their long-lost college roommate is widely celebrated for its lighthearted, satirical take on the hyper-competitive Indian education system and its iconic catchphrases such as “all izz well”.
Starring Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi as the three titular “idiots”, the film also received praise from international audiences and even won the Best Foreign Film award at the Beijing International Film Festival in 2011.
Mr Sahil Rikhy, 27, told tabla! that despite having watched the film multiple times before, it was well worth the cinematic experience for its witty humour and the joy of watching it alongside his three friends.
“The tickets were only three dollars each, and the timing was perfect, so we thought, let’s go on a Sunday and have a nice friends’ day out,” Mr Sahil said.
The screening was also a family affair for many attendees, thanks to the film’s heartfelt exploration of themes such as intergenerational conflict and academic expectations.
Ms Ayushi Garg, 27, sought to revisit the film on the big screen, in hopes of recapturing the nostalgia from her first viewing. She was joined by her spouse, parents, and brother.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to watch previously released movies in theatres,” said Ms Ayushi, emphasising the importance of the collective cinematic experience.
Her father, Mr Aashoo Garg, 55, shared that he had watched 3 Idiots in cinemas when it first came out, and many times after. “We have watched it on video, TV, VCR, everything we have watched on,” he quipped.
“It’s a nice movie with a good story and morals, so it’s good to watch again and remember all those do-good deeds,” Mr Aashoo added.
The film’s enduring popularity also extends to non-Indian audiences, many of whom found comfort in the relatable characters and intrigue in its diverse depiction of India.
“The art of storytelling in Indian films is remarkable. There was a period of time when I was on a Bollywood movie spree, and that is how I became aware of the beauty of Indian films, and by extension, the country itself,” said 38-year-old scooterist, Ms Juvena Huang.
Ms Huang was accompanied by her friends Ms Zoe Ho, 31, and Mr Nicholas Victor, 31, who said that he wanted to reminisce about his memories of travelling to Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh last year through the film, which features the endorheic lake as a scenic backdrop in the final scene where the three “idiots” reunite.
Organised by the High Commission of India and the Singapore Film Society, the festival offered a curated lineup of 21 films across eight Indian languages. Over 4,000 attendees visited the theatres from Jan 23 to March 8, with several shows reaching full occupancy.
In response to the overwhelming demand, additional screenings for the Tamil films Roja and Soorarai Pottru have been scheduled for April 5 at the Festive Arts Theatre, Our Tampines Hub. In honour of International Women’s Day, the Hindi film Raazi will also be screened at Golden Village, Suntec City on March 15.
“What we are trying to do is go beyond what is easily available. Take the example of Boong, a Manipuri language film which recently won a BAFTA, or the award-winning Marathi movie, Gypsy. Such movies are not commercially released in Singapore,” explained Dr Shilpak Ambule, the Indian High Commissioner to Singapore.
“Initiatives like IFF 2026 are important platforms for introducing the diverse heritage of India to our Singaporean friends. They also help in cross-cultural understanding and in bringing our people closer,” he added.
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5 Mar 2026 19:18
