Reviewed by Alicia Glass

Rating: 7

Struggling L.A. Indian-born actor Omi Vaidya lands a starring role in the Bollywood film 3 Idiots and subsequently becomes famous!

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, given the word Bollywood in the title and all. I have seen some of their films and quite enjoyed them, but this film is set up like a biography, not an actual Bollywood film. Nevertheless, if you can imagine yourself as a newly discovered actor in a huge blockbuster film, or his filmmaker troupe friends who go on this insane at times journey with him, you will find the film enjoyable.

So Omi Vaidya lives in L.A. with his wife, cuts his lawn, and tries to get acting gigs with the Bollywood film industry, despite not actually speaking the language all that well. Somehow or another, Omi got a hugely comedic part in the blockbuster Bollywood film 3 Idiots, and the whole thing begins snowballing from there. He’s suddenly recognized everywhere in India, where the well-meaning fans do call him “idiot” gleefully, and the film goes to document the movie’s release and Omi’s hosting job at some award show afterwards. In a sequined cowboy outfit, with a full song and dance skit before he does his presenting, even.

It’s an enjoyable breakout film, full of heart and laughter, and the joy of discovering one’s cultural roots for the first time. Indiais shown to be fully loving and supportive of their brand new star in Bollywood, and his filmmaker friends are doing their best to keep up and document all of it. To see what happens when the most down to earth struggling actor you know from next door becomes an almost instant overnight sensation; enjoy Big In Bollywood!