Writer/Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Starring: Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani
‘A Captivating Comedy’
Not many actors in Bollywood have made movies that are as beloved as Sanjay Dutt. Following his rise to fame during the 1990’s, Dutt has become an icon in the Indian film industry. Whether it be comical gangsters, corrupt police officers or strict fathers, Dutt has portrayed several powerful characters. Arguably, Dutt’s finest strength as an actor has always been his powerful presence. He is one of those rare actors that has always had a talent for elevating every movie he is in by his sheer presence. Even when a film is not great in quality, Dutt has often stood out as the best part about it. Through his ability to portray characters which are compelling, Dutt has established a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his captivating career, Dutt has made several unforgettable movies that are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Dutt and admire all movies he has made in his career. However, “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” definitely stands out as being his most iconic film. Released back in 2003, Rajkumar Hirani’s film offered a captivating comedic portrayal of doctors. Packed with bold music sequences, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best comedies ever created in Bollywood. At the centre of it all is a superb performance from Sanjay Dutt, who embodies a gangster that seeks success as a doctor. Ultimately, what makes “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” a classic is its broad appeal. Unlike most comedies made in Bollywood during the 2000’s, it had aged beautifully. A captivating Bollywood comedy about committed doctors, there are several strong seasons why “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” is worth watching.
“Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” tells the story of a gangster that embarks upon a journey to become a famous doctor in India. Sanjay Dutt plays Murli Prasad Sharma, a comic gangster that engages in lifestyle of crime. Known as Munna Bhai, Murli has always focused upon his life of committing crimes against the wishes of his family. However, Murli’s life changes when he sets off on a journey to become a world-famous doctor. Assisted by longtime friend Circuit (Arshad Warsi), Murli seeks to become a doctor in a profession that’s competitive. As he seeks to become a doctor, Murli wonders if he will ever be able to abandon a lifestyle of being a gangster.
Rajkumar Hirani is a newcomer towards the stories of doctors. A debut director, Hirani had never made a movie about doctors in his career before. It marked the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of doctors in India that face tragedy but he succeeded immensely. Using stunning cinematography, Hirani captures a doctor embarking upon a journey to find his identity. Emulating Penny Marshall’s “Awakenings”, Hirani successfully uses montages to capture hardships which doctors are facing. For instance, montages enhance the mental hospital scene. During this unforgettable scene, Murli has his first ever visit to the mental hospital learning the ways of doctors. Using stunning montages, Hirani creates a portrait of doctors which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in most films. As Abhishek Varman’s “Kalank” claimed, montages often elevate Bollywood historical epics. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using bold visuals, Hirani captures the hardships that Indian doctors are facing.
Another aspect of “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood comedies you will ever see. Hirani effectively uses the setting of mental hospitals to stage musical sequences which are entertaining. For instance, the setting of the mental hospital elevates the Apun Jaise Tapori song. During this memorable scene, Murli delivers a melody which expresses his views on hospitals. Through the settings of hospitals, Hirani creates music sequences that are compelling. Moreover, the musical score is phenomenal. Anu Malik’s is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden doctors bear. Using bold production, Hirani captures mental hospitals which face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” is a Bollywood film about doctors that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively utilizes dramatic monologues to capture hardships doctors are facing. During this emotional scene, Munna is overcome with joy when he’s told by his father that he’s proud of him being a doctor. Through bold monologues, Hirani creates a portrayal of doctors which audiences can relate to. Monologues are a tricky technique to use in Bollywood movies. As Rajkumar Hirani’s “P.K.” demonstrated, monologues elevate sci-fi satires. However, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Hirani captures the lives of doctors which experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Sanjay Dutt delivers one of his best career performances as Munna Bhai. Dutt earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in iconic Bollywood movies. With “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.”, however, the actor took upon his most comedic role. It isn’t easy to portray a gangster that engages in a life of crime that causes adversity but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in his career before: bold, charming and funny in his most comedic role. With breathtaking expressions, he captures angst, grief and rebellious spirit of a gangster that seeks to become a doctor in medical professions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Sanjay Dutt, the supporting cast is equally superb. Arshad Warsi is amazing, bringing hilarious comical relief to a gangster that supports Munna Bhai in his journey. Boman Irani is brilliant, bringing out the charming personality of a doctor that seeks to care for mentally ill patients. Lastly, Sunil Dutt merits appreciation. As Munna’s father, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing doctors which face adversity. Unlike most Bollywood comedies created in the 2000’s which are outdated, it has aged beautifully. The film discusses strong themes including ambition, mental health and parenting that would resonate with everyone. Viewers are not required to be familiar with the medical profession of India to admire it. Therefore, “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” is one of those rare Bollywood comedies which everyone would adore.
Fans of Sanjay Dutt would absolutely enjoy “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” and so would movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A bold Bollywood comedy classic, it honours a beloved actor that’s iconic,
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about a gangster that sets out to fulfill his father’s wishes of being a doctor, it’s a captivating reminder of an Indian actor with a charming nature that has portrayed strong characters in memorable movies throughout his career audiences treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 