My favourite comedy film with three friends is Hera Pheri. It is the story of Raju, Shyam and Babu Bhaiya — two tenants and a landlord and how a unique bond grows among them under extraordinary circumstances. The ludicrousness of the plot, great direction by Priyadarshan and super acting by Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal has made this film a complete entertainer. A gang of three is always the best and if it’s Babu Bhaiya with Shyam and Raju then rip-roaring laughter is guaranteed. (Which is your favorite comedy film/series featuring three friends?... March 19)

Puhabi Das

I love the Ice Age animated comedy film series revolving around three friends — Manny, a grumpy, sarcastic but courageous woolly mammoth, Sid, a dopey, hysteric sloth, and Diego, an aggressive, proud, sabre-toothed tiger. Specially Ice Age is lovely as the film reveals how three such animals, enemies by birth, become lifelong friends. I love the second and third sequels of Ice Age as they show how the trio, with completely contrasting personalities, stick together in times of need.

Dayita Chakraborty

My favourite comedy film featuring three friends is the Rajkumar Hirani masterpiece 3 Idiots, which is about three friends — Rancho (Aamir Khan), Raju (Sharman Joshi) and Farhan (R. Madhavan) — and their light-hearted friendship, set against the backdrop of a strict engineering college. Rancho’s happy-go-lucky persona and his banter with Raju and Farhan are fun to watch, although it also draws our attention to our country’s faulty policies of education through its comic facade. But when it comes to the trio, the movie is full of life and laughter. The scene where the trio are caught by their overbearing principal (Boman Irani) after gatecrashing a wedding, is iconic. Also, the teacher’s day programme in which Chatur (Omi Vaidya) gives the hilarious speech that was altered by Rancho, still makes me burst into laughter. Even the emotional scenes bring tears of joy.

Sikrity Ghosh

Rajkumar Hirani’s critically acclaimed satire comedy film 3 Idiots introduced us to the memorable trio of Rancho, Farhan and Raju essayed by Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi, respectively. Distressed by the cut-throat competition at their engineering college and the rigid ideas of its director ‘Virus’, the boys bond over their common predicament and devise out-of-the-box plans to counter the challenges on their way. Peppered with humour and emotions, it takes a jibe at our education system, enumerating its basic drawbacks. Besides stressing the importance of friendship, the film also inspires viewers to stand out from the crowd and follow their passion wholeheartedly, just as Farhan did. Even a-decade-and-a-half later, its engaging storytelling, witty dialogues and stellar performances never fail to bring a big smile to our faces.

Popular American television series The Bold Type revolves around a trio of young millennial women employed at a fictional global publication Scarlet in New York City. Starring Katie Stevens, Aisha Dee and Meghann Fahy as the lead characters Jane, Kat and Sutton, respectively, the series focuses on their remarkable friendship which leads them to embark on crazy adventures but also provides them solace in tough times. The way these young ladies cemented successful careers irrespective of their problems was commendable. From capturing the high-rise buildings of New York to impressing the viewers with eye-catching outfits, the show was a stunner.

Aayman Anwar Ali

My favourite comedy film featuring three friends is the Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi starrer Rajkumar Hirani-directed 2009 iconic Hindi movie 3 Idiots, which tells the heartwarming and wonderful tale of friendship among three college friends named Rancho, Farhan and Raju.

Sourish Misra