It’s been a significant journey for filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani who recently celebrated a milestone two decades in the Indian film industry. The man behind the lens for such hits as ‘Munnabhai MBBS’ and its subsequent sequel ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’, the director has carved a niche for himself amongst the pantheon of great storytellers within Bollywood. The dynamic duo of Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi brought the titular character Munna Bhai to life, leaving an undeniable mark on the cultural landscape of Indian cinema, which interestingly, saw the addition of the talented Vidya Balan in the sequel.
Although it’s been over seventeen years since the release of ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’, the promise of a third installment, teased at the end of the sequel, has not dissolved into the ethers of forgotten promises. Instead, it has lingered in the hearts and minds of fans, growing with each passing year into a veritable legend. The elusive ‘Munnabhai Chale America’ remains just out of reach, but hope has been reignited once more as Rajkumar Hirani opened up about the possibility of ‘Munna Bhai 3’.
In a candid conversation with ANI, Hirani expressed the hurdles faced in continuing the legacy of Munna Bhai. Faced with the monumental success of the previous films, he shared that multiple drafts had been penned and discarded, “Munna Bhai ke sath humesha mera struggle yehi raha hai ki pichli do films itni achi ban gayi hai ki mere paas 5 aadhi likhi scripts abhi tak padi hui hai…” This translates to a creative pursuit mired in the challenge of exceeding or, at the very least, meeting the towering expectations set by the earlier films, with five half-finished scripts still awaiting completion.
The director also touched upon his discussions with Sanjay Dutt, the star who has been synonymous with Munna Bhai. Hirani added, “Meri aksar baat hoti rehti hai Sanju (Sanjay Dutt) se. Woh kehta hai ki ek banani chahiye.” Sanjay’s enthusiasm for a new chapter is a driving factor for Hirani, who mentioned that the conclusion of his recent directorial ‘Dunki’ may provide him an opening to sift through his collection of past narratives for a worthy successor to the throne of Munna Bhai’s legacy. “Man toh hai ki ek Munna Bhai aur banani hai pr kab woh mujhe abhi nahin pata,” Hirani confessed, expressing a heartfelt desire to take the series forward but remaining unsure of the appropriate time.
Shifting focus to the present, Rajkumar Hirani’s filmmaking prowess remains proven and acclaimed with ‘Dunki’, a film that currently garners applause and attention, resonating with audiences through its spotlight on immigration. The film stars the Bollywood titan Shah Rukh Khan and is complemented by the talents of Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Boman Irani, Anil Grover, and Vikram Kochchar. The film’s title, stemming from the colloquial ‘donkey journey,’ embodies the perilous paths undertaken by those seeking new horizons abroad. Released on December 21, ‘Dunki’ has thus far experienced a successful theatrical run, further solidifying Hirani’s reputation as one of the noteworthy contemporary filmmakers.
The burning question within the industry and amongst fans is no longer whether ‘Munna Bhai 3’ will eventuate but rather when. As Rajkumar Hirani teases the potential rebirth of a character cherished by millions, the anticipation for another installment continues to grow exponentially. While timelines remain uncertain, what holds true is the potential of Munna Bhai’s triumphant return, possibly redefining the cinematic landscape yet again with a concoction of humor, heart, and Hirani’s visionary directorial touch.
