At the recent WAVES Summit, Kareena Kapoor Khan left the audience wide-eyed when she shared an unforgettable memory: she was once recognized by Steven Spielberg—yes, the Steven Spielberg—while dining at a restaurant in Italy. He walked up to her and said, “You’re the girl from 3 Idiots, right?”
As unbelievable as it sounds, it turns out the iconic Hollywood director is a massive fan of Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots.
But here’s what most people don’t know: Spielberg didn’t just enjoy the film—he was so moved by it that he watched it three times, called it “emotionally powerful,” and even considered remaking it for a global audience. In a 2013 interview with Hindustan Times during his visit to Mumbai, Spielberg praised the film’s storytelling, emotional depth, and cultural universality, saying, “My God, I love that movie.”
And if that wasn’t surprising enough, when asked to name the five films that have emotionally resonated with him the most, Spielberg listed 3 Idiots—alongside cinematic giants like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Jaws (1975), and The Godfather (1972).
For Rajkumar Hirani and Indian cinema as a whole, that’s more than a compliment—it’s a moment of global recognition.
3 Idiots has always been a cultural touchstone in India, but Spielberg’s admiration proves its impact crossed continents. A coming-of-age drama rooted in Indian realities found its place in the heart of one of cinema’s greatest storytellers.
So the next time you revisit 3 Idiots, remember—you’re watching a film that even Steven Spielberg couldn’t stop watching.
