Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. - Movie Review

Published: February 24, 2010

By EKTA R. GARG

Starring Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Jimmy Shergill, Sunil Dutt, Gracy Singh, Boman Irani

First-time director Rajkumar Hirani and veteran actor Sanjay Dutt make movie magic in this funny, touching story about a Mumbai gangster with a heart of gold.

Munna (Sanjay Dutt) ran away from home in his teens to escape his father’s unreasonable expectations and became a “bhai”—Hindi slang for a gangster—but he refers to himself as a “social worker,” and Munna’s title for himself may be closer to the truth. While Munna has all the traditional perks of being a “bhai”—a team of lackeys and a hangout with all the amenities—he’s really interested in helping people. His methods just happen to involve extortion, threats, and kidnapping.

Despite his tough exterior, Munna still desperately cares about his father’s opinion of him. Sanjay’s real-life father, Sunil Dutt, plays Munna’s father, and the two actors have a ball playing father and son in the film. Munna told his parents he’s a doctor, and he sets up a fake clinic, complete with fake patients, when his family comes to visit. Munna’s parents call on an old family friend, J. Asthana (Boman Irani), who really is a doctor and whose daughter, also a physician, they’d like Munna to marry. Asthana reveals the truth about Munna to his parents, and they leave Mumbai in shame, so Munna decides to complete an M.B.B.S. (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery—India’s medical degree). He cheats his way into school and makes his presence known at the college in scenes that are hilarious and heartwarming. Munna isn’t beyond using his clout to bully professors or the established bullies among the students, but he shows a surprisingly gentle side in dealing with patients.

Turns out, Asthana is the college dean, so Munna sets out to marry his daughter, Suman, out of spite. Actress Gracy Singh, in one of her most successful film roles, plays Suman, and her charming sweetness makes her the perfect, polished balance to Munna.

The film never resorts to slapstick, but delivers smart comedy. It’s a feel-good movie with a simple message that doesn’t browbeat. Actor Arshad Warsi adds to this entertaining package as Munna’s delightful sidekick, “Circuit.”

The sequel, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, came out in 2006.

Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. is rated Must See.

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