MunnaBhai MBBS – was a ribtickling comedy directed by ace director Raj Kumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and the first of the Munnabhai series. The film had Sanjay Dutt in the title role of a goon who goes to medical school to fulfill his father’s dreams. Munna is helped by his sidekick, Circuit in all his antics which leaves everyone in splits. But through all the fun and enjoyment, Munna conveys a universal message of spreading love.
The film also had Arshad Warsi, Gracy Singh, Boman Irani and Rohini Hattangadi in supportingroles. Jimmy Shergill also appeared in a cameo. It was the last film in which Dutt appeared with his father, veteran actor Sunil Dutt before the latter passed away. Made on a budget of Rs. 10 crore, the film’s box collections boasted of a Rs. 30.75 crores.
The film was an instant hit with winning several awards including the 2004 National Film Award for Best Popular Film, several Filmfare awards, including the Critics Award for Best Movie, Best Screenplay, and was declared an instant blockbuster at the Indian box office.
Check out a few interesting facts of the film:
1. The original choice of ‘Circuit’s role was Makrand Deshpande, but later went to Arshad Warsi
2. The original choice for Munna bhai in Munna bhai M.B.B.S was not Sanjay Dutt but Shah Rukh Khan. Vivek Oberoi was also considered for the role. Shah Rukh developed a back problem and subsequent date problems, but he gave valuable inputs during the scripting of the film and was given due credit for it.
3. Rani Mukherjee was very keen on this film and had signed on for the role of Chinky, but she couldn’t do the film due to date problems. Then Tabu was brought in, but she soon dropped out. Finally, the role went to Gracy Singh.
4. This was Sunil Dutt’s first appearance in sixteen years
5. Sanjay Dutt had to lose his weight for the role.
6. There are many pigeons in a film which were a reference to the pigeons in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s film, Parinda
7. The semicircular hall had 15-feet windows, which had to be broken open for the lighting to be right.
8. Arshad’s character was initially called Khujli, which was changed to Circuit on his suggestion and it became immensely popular.
