Raju in the real world

Not too long ago, I gave my interview for the student council at my university. After the interview, I sat with my friends to discuss the questions and how I thought I wouldn't get into the council because of my silly, casual answers. Later, I realized how being honest in your interviews is lame and unpleasant. Most of the time, it is not the reality or what you have to say, but it's what they, as interviewers, want to hear that will get you the position or the job.

With this realization, I was instantly taken back to that one scene of 3 Idiots, where Raju ( played by Sharman Joshi) very honestly talks about how he attempted suicide due to the fear of failure and academic pressure. In the interview, he speaks honestly about his struggles, not to impress but to express himself and lands the job. But I wonder if that level of honesty would still get him the job in today's world. Spoiler: probably not, and here's why:

1. Performance nature of modern interviews: as mentioned earlier, interviewers look for performance rather than personality. Maintaining calmness in the heat, cognitive speed, confidence, and the checklist continue. Unfortunately, Raju in 2025 can't cry in the interview as showing vulnerability and past trauma would be seen as a "red flag" rather than courage.

   
   

2. Mental health and hiring bias: As much as we want mental health to be discussed openly, MNCs and hiring professionals might feel that welcoming a mental health patient might be a liability to the company. They might be unable to meet the employer's expectations due to low productivity. They might also consider that someone with a recent suicide attempt might raise legal and medical concerns. Let's be honest, as much as recent corporate culture talks about well-being, most candidates applying are rejected for "not being fit" or for being emotionally unstable. The hypocrisy lies in today's corporate culture. 

   
   

3. The illusion of meritocracy: In the end, the film showcases that authenticity is ultimately rewarded, a very filmy idea. From an employer's perspective, class and grades are essential in hiring intellect. Generally, grooming, attitude, language fluency (mostly English or the regional language), and college name play an important role. Looking at Raju's condition on the interview day, entering on a wheelchair with a broken leg will most likely not please the HRs. As seen in the film, Raju and Farhan mostly sat at the back during the class photograph, indicating they were the lowest scorers. Raju doesn't have elite confidence or high grades. Regardless of how "real" he was in the interview, that alone would cost him the offer.

   
   

4. Undecorated resume: In 2025, college is no longer just about GPA or academics. It's a competitive arena where your résumé is expected to be stacked with extracurricular achievements, club leadership roles, internships, certifications, and demonstrated skill development. Raju's résumé lacking polish, connections, or standout credentials wouldn't even make it past the initial shortlisting stage in such a system. Before he could speak his truth in an interview, he'd be filtered out by algorithms and recruiters looking for "well-rounded" over "real." Today, it's not just about who you are but how well you package yourself.

What does this say about us and our hiring practices? 

Are we truly valuing authenticity and courage, or are we perpetuating a system that rewards conformity and detachment? These are questions we need to ask ourselves as we navigate the complex intersection of mental health and professional life. 

On one hand, we celebrate Mental Health Day, share posts that say, "It's okay to talk" and wear empathy like a badge. But in reality, we rarely practice what we preach. Speaking openly about your struggles is often dismissed as "too much" or "attention-seeking" We ignore the silent red flags around us, the friend who's stopped eating or showing up, the one whose eyes are tired, whose dark circles deepen by the week, who no longer shares anything, not even on social media. These are symptoms so visible that even the most indifferent person could notice. But step inside a glass-walled office with 40 MNCs, all of which disappear behind polite smiles and forced "Good mornings." Managers, colleagues, and entire teams walk past the overworked employee who can't take a day off, not because work won't survive without them, but because their mental health will collapse with any more pressure. And no one sees it. Or worse, no one wants to.

Perhaps, the solution lies in a shift in our hiring culture. Maybe Raju should be hired, not despite his struggle, but because of it. His journey reflects strength, honesty, and the resilience to rebuild, qualities we often glorify in speeches but rarely recognize in practice. Today's hiring culture favors polished résumés, safe answers, and emotional detachment over authenticity. We talk about mental health, but when someone shows the real impact of it, we hesitate. People like Raju will continue to be overlooked until interviews start rewarding courage and lived experience, not just credentials. Not because they're unqualified but because they dared to be human in a system built for masks.