If there’s one movie that stands out in 2006 as being an extremely original, pure, creative, and entertaining, then it has to be called LAGE RAHO MUNNA BHAI. Arguably the best sequel in Bollywood history, LRMB goes on to prove that Rajkumar Hirani just wasn’t a fluke, and rather he was a director who knew exactly what he was doing when he made the MUNNA BHAI brand of movies.
So what makes LRMB a great movie? A lot of things. For starters, the movie comes as one that needed no overhyped promotion to work. Since 2 and a half years of MBBS’s release, people have been waiting for the sequel so obviously they didn’t require added incentives to go catch this one. On the second day of its screening, the theatre was totally packed and you could realize what a great time the viewers were having for those 2 and a half hours.
Another reason why LRMB works is because it doesn’t brag about being different. It acknowledges the current generation and it’s ways, and yet, the director adds that the unique, old school ways can be mixed up with today’s ideas to make a great blend of sorts. That’s exactly the USP of this movie. And besides, needless to say, the Munna-Circuit chemistry is definitely one of the most entertaining ones you will come across. So yeah, with all these plusses clearly in favor of LRMB, I guess the movie’s success was inevitable.
LRMB tells the story of a goon Munna (Dutt) who falls for a radio jockey Jhanvi (Vidya). Circuit arranges for Munna to pass a quiz on Gandhi so that he can meet Jhanvi as a prize. Munna’s dream of meeting Jhanvi does come true, but at an expense. She asks him to lecture her family about Gandhi in detail. Pretending to be a History Professor, Munna has to read a lot about Gandhi and Gandhi-giri in order to succeed. In the process, Munna comes face to face with Mahatma Gandhi and his principles. Can Munna conform to Gandhi’s principles and succeed in dealing with all his problems? Or will Munna give up Gandhi-giri to stay the way he is? That’s what LRMB addresses.
Clearly, it’s today’s world versus the world Mohandas Gandhi preached in. But the VERSUS doesn’t imply AGAINST but rather the COMBINATION of the two sets of ideas. That’s how a movie is made to address certain issues. Rather than dividing two sets of believers just because their ideas are different, a movie might not work. But projecting how the blend works is rather the best way to work with all the audiences.
LRMB also remains as simple as it gets. No complications what so ever. This way the movie doesn’t stretch too much and only addresses the issues that are truly wanted and not those that are unnecessary. However, in addressing all the wanted issues, sometimes one does feel that the director goes a little overboard. That is, it is very hard to believe people cleaning other people’s spitting of tobacco outside their house. I mean one can actually file a complaint against such issues rather than being extra-patient. But that’s alright considering the theme of the movie. If the mentality is to enjoy then why think a lot about what’s real and what’s not?
Technically, LRMB is a very strong film. I could’ve given it five stars but I held them back because of just a few draw-backs. But those were minimum. I mean a musical score is very important in today’s Bollywood. In that area, LRMB isn’t all that entertaining. However, considering the mood of the film, once again there’s no denying that the songs are made is a very strong way technically. The cinematography and screenplay, as well as the colorful picturisation of all the songs deserves special mention. On top of all of Raju Hirani’s achievements in this movie, you have to hand it to the performances.
Sanjay Dutt is fantastic. When he’s Munna Bhai, then that means it’s his territory. Once again, Dutt proves that with an author-backed role he is almost invincible. This performance of Sanju Baba is going to be a very memorable one as I’m sure everyone awaits the sequel of this movie primarily because of Sanjay’s extremely enjoyable performance. Thumbs up! It would be unfair to say that Arshad Warsi is any lesser. Arshad’s comic timing and chemistry with Dutt is truly electrifying. It’s so hilarious that one just can’t fail to take note of it. The whole theatre had a ball of a time enjoying the chemistry of these brilliant actors. I am sure in the days to come Arshad Warsi is going to go places, what with GOLMAAL and ANTHONY KAUN HAI already getting him major praise.
No doubt Vidya Balan is here to stay. Showing her glamorous side with simplicity, she simply rocks. She is perfectly cast in the role of a radio jockey as she radiates what really is a radio jockey all about. The freshness this lady brings to Bollywood is invaluable. Thumbs up Vidya. Jimmy Shergill and Boman Irani both get lucky after a long time to get entertaining roles to play. Both perform extremely well using their potential to the fullest. Diya Mirza looks remarkable and performs equally naturally. She has finally come to a point where one can genuinely call her an ACTRESS.
Abhishek Bachchan, in a guest appearance, simply rocks.
Overall, LRMB is a fantastic movie from its makers and will definitely generate a demand for the trilogy to be completed. No doubt a movie that’s inevitable to work at the BO, LAGE RAHO MUNNA BHAI is the movie of the moment and it is bound to stay there for quite a time while knocking out losers such as KANK!