Lage Raho Munna Bhai – “GandhiGiri” a modern tribute to Mahatma

Let me clear the air first.

This is not an art film; neither a film of international standards- technologically. Pure commercial entertainer. Choosing this movie is a desperate attempt to rescue my image, which is dangerously close to masochist tag- due to the sad, depressive, pessimistic films I’ve been reviewing!

Every film maker would agree that comedy is the most difficult genre to pull through successfully. Easier to make the audience cry emotionally rather than tickling their funny bones.

This is Rajkumar Hirani’s second film, as a director. When his first movie, Munna Bhai MBBS was released everyone was dumbfounded; it became a cult classic and created history in Indian cinema. Turned out to be so popular that the movie was reviewed by British Medical Journal! It has been remade in almost every Indian languages. Its Tamil version was “Vasool Raja MBBS”.

Rajkumar Hirani wanted to be a film star; was involved in theatres- stage play, during college days. He tried to do direction course from Pune film institute but only got admission into editing; came out with good grades and worked (as an editor) for a few movies. Subsequently entered in to advertising industry and became prominent which helped him to get his first movie break through.

He fashioned his own style of film making, which is apparent in all the three movies he has directed so far (Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Lage Raho Munna Bhai and 3 Idiots). The angle from which he sees life is completely different, discovers ridiculously simple solutions to intricate problems.

It seems his life’s fundamental motto is, “life is simple, don’t complicate; God created us to have good time on earth, have fun without troubling others”.

Clear understanding about the purpose of life, principles and philosophy are his strengths. Humor is the base of all his films, which is used as a sugar coating to the bitter medicines- messages he delivers to the society.

Lage Raho Munna Bhai was released in 2006. There was a huge expectation following the success of Munna Bhai MBBS. It exceeded both critics and viewers hopes and became a runaway blockbuster. Received four National Awards and many Film fare, IIFA awards. Interestingly it was sent to Oscars by the producer as an Independent entry for the Best Foreign Film category (India’s official Nomination was Rang De Basanti). As expected it was not nominated.

One liner…

A thug transforms his principles of DadaGiri to GandhiGiri to impress his girlfriend; does he succeed in the end?

Plot

Murali Prasad Sharma (Munna) and his close associate Sarkeshwar (Circuit) are local thugs, work for Lucky singh - a small realtor in Mumbai. Murali falls in love with Jhanvi, a radio jockey, by hearing her famous programme “Good Morning Mumbai”. Jhanvi is a social activist, runs an old age home called “second innings”. That old age home comes as a road block to KKurhana’s mega project- a big real estate businessman. Lucky singh proposes marriage between his daughter and KKurhana’s son, promising that he would donate the “second innings- old age home” as a dowry. Kkurhana is madly superstitious; does nothing without consulting his Astrologer. Lucky singh lies Kkurhana about his daughter’s time of birth to match Horoscope.

To meet Jhanvi in person Munna has to win a contest, that is ten questions based on Mahatma Gandhiji’s life. He cheats and wins the contest. During the meeting with Jhanvi, he lies and acts as a college History professor. She invites him to her old age home- second innings, to give a speech about Gandhiji and participate in group discussion. Munna is left with no option, other than to read about Gandhiji’s life history. Without sleep he spends three days in a library and becomes hallucinated, starts seeing - real Mahatma is conversing with him.

After knowing Munna’s love interest, Lucky sigh sends him with Jhanvi and other second innings inmates to Goa and creates the opportunity to forcefully evacuate that old age home.

Munna and co, start protest as per Gandhiyan principles.

A big drama in the climax like a typical Bollywood film; Lucky singh realizes his fault, turns into a good man and Munna wins. Happy Ending!

Rajkumar Hirani, the director’s touch is felt throughout the film.

He wrote the script, screen play and dialogues with Abhijat Joshi and Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

There is a laugh riot from the first scene to the end. The dialogues are spontaneous, hilarious and meaningful. Mumbai’s local dialect like – ye mamu, vat laga dunga, chemical ka locha, Apunka, cut lene ka, and many more - are good stimulus to your laughing center of the brain. Of course, the fun would be lost considerably through translation/subtitles.

This film has its own space in Indian cinema because of the message it tries to pass on you – Gandhism (Ahimsa - Nonvilence).

Current generation is caught in the whirlwind of revenge taking TV soap serials, action movies, violent video games and the list goes on; which leads to philistine, law ignoring, fast paced- principle less mindset. Many of us believe that Gandhiyan principles are outdated, which is not true. Even in the modern 21st century, the very old Gandhiyan techniques are effective - bring us big results like Lokpal bill.

The director wisely utilizes the radio programme to solve the current social and personal issues with Gandhiyan ideologies. Very optimistic and inspiring approach. You can’t deny at least for that moment, you would like to believe and promise yourself to follow some of them. That is the victory of the film and the director.

In one scene circuit tells Munna, “Bhai, we had done so many illegal activities but never had entered a jail, first time we tendered an apology to someone which has put us behind the bars instantly”- sarcastically throws light on the modern system which works on the principle of – more than what you do, which side you belong to, is important and decides about the punishment.

In another scene, Gandhiji tells Munna, “hitting someone is easier than offering apology; you need courage to do that”.

I could not stop comparing this movie with Mahanadhi and LSD. All these three movies are similar in dealing with social issues and at the same time the approach is very different from each other. Rajkumar Hirani’s style of storytelling, humor coated message – has reached widely and accepted well by public- better than the other two. And this movie offers easier and simpler solutions to problems.

Gigantic, rough- macho look with childlike heart, Sanjay Dutt perfectly fits Munna’s character, cannot imagine anyone else for that role: Un-doubtfully, his career best. Sanjay feels, in real life he resembles Munna! You would be surprised to know Shahrukh Khan was the first choice when first Munna Bhai was made. Then Vivek Oberoi was also considered. Almighty saved us!  If you had watched both Munna Bhai MBBS and Tamil “Vasool raja MBBS”you would realize the noticeable differences. Kamal is an excellent actor; but could not fit in to Munna’s shoes, Kamal’s witty brilliance destroyed the innocent original Munna. In my opinion, Sathyaraj would have suited better for the role.

Munna’s all-weather friend Circuit – Arshad Warsi, follows him like a Vodafone Dog. His performance is nothing less than that of Sanjay’s.

Boman Irani as Lucky singh makes you LOL even in the villainous character. He plays as an antagonist in all Hirani’s(three)films.

I would say four vital mainstays of the film are the director, Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani.
Vidya Balan as Jhanvi does a decent job. One poetic scene: Jhanvi thinks loudly when Munna struggles to express love- “Munna I know what you are trying to tell, but I want to see how you tell, please tell in such a way that I would remember that moment forever”.

When you view/review a commercial entertainer, you should have a different perspective; you should not scrutinize with magnified lens. Hence, I ignore the logic less story, annoying songs and melodramatic typical bollywood climax.

Switch off your logic button and enjoy the fun ride!

Cheers!

18-10-14,

2 pm.