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29 March 2024

Munna Bhai trilogy on the anvil

Published
By Ankita Kanabar / Sanskriti Media & Entertainment

The iconic ‘Munna Bhai’ franchise is one that puts a smile on the face of the audience even today, when they talk about it or watch the film on television. It created some kind of a magic and was successful in immediately striking a chord with the audience. Hence, after the success of ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’ and ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’, there were talks about a possible third film to complete a trilogy. However, speculations then faded away since there was no confirmation from the makers.

Now, however, comes confirmation from the horse’s mouth or should we say the producer and the director’s mouth. Director Raju Hirani says, “We just do not want to make the film for the sake of it, or for the purpose of minting money. It’s important that the third one is as good as the first two ‘Munna Bhai’ films, if not better. We want the audience to love this film as much as the earlier ones. We’re just waiting for a good script that we think is worth the film.”

Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra confirms, “Since the first two ‘Munna Bhai’ films were hits, the third one will most definitely attract the audience to the theatres. We don’t want to make money on the opening weekend and then run away, leaving the audience cursing us for making a bad film. We want to live up to the first two films, and not just make it for the sake of it. Hopefully, if things go well, we should be ready with the final script in a month’s time, with God’s grace. It will take time, but the next ‘Munna Bhai’ film will definitely happen.”

Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, and Boman Irani will reportedly remain a part of the third film as well, while the other cast including the female lead will be decided after the scripting process is completed. Raju says, “There can be no ‘Munna Bhai’ without Sanjay Dutt or Arshad Warsi, or for that matter even Boman Irani. For me, Sanjay Dutt is Munnabhai. A six-feet tall man who can scare you with his huge build and yet the innocence on whose face will tell you that he has a heart of gold. No one but him could have done the role of Munnabhai.” Vidhu, in fact, feels “Any other actor would have acted while essaying Munnabhai’s role; Sanju didn’t have to act. This is how he is.”

The first two films of the franchise gave us unforgettable terms like ‘jhadu ki jhappi’, ‘Gandhigiri’, ‘chemical locha’ and many more; so, the audience is bound to be looking forward to the third film for further enlightenment.