A fresh update has surfaced regarding the long-awaited third chapter in the Munna Bhai cinematic franchise. Ever since the tremendous success of the first two installments, audiences have persistently asked director Rajkumar Hirani to reunite Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi on the silver screen. In the latest turn of events, filmmaker Farhad Samji has taken charge of writing the script, with Hirani set to commence his stage of direction once the textual foundation is fully ready.
Rajkumar Hirani Prioritizes a Solid Script
Director Rajkumar Hirani has remained firm on the principle that production on the third film will not begin until the screenplay is thoroughly robust. With that objective in mind, Farhad Samji was selected to craft the storyline. The writing phase is expected to wrap up in the near future, paving the way for the project to potentially hit the floors by the year 2027. However, the film's core production team has not yet issued an official comment regarding this development timeline.
Farhad Samji and His Past Ties with the Series
Farhad Samji holds a long-standing creative connection to the franchise that stretches all the way back to 2003. During the debut movie, he wrote the opening refrain for the popular track 'M Bole Toh'. Samji previously recalled that this opportunity came unexpectedly when music composer Anu Malik placed a late-night phone call to him around 10:00 PM. Malik informed him that a new project was being directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, requiring an authentic street-style Tapori refrain on short notice.
Casting Journey from Shah Rukh Khan to Sanjay Dutt
Samji also noted that during those initial developmental days, Shah Rukh Khan was originally being considered for the titular character. Eventually, Sanjay Dutt was finalized to play the lead role. Dutt met every expectation set by Hirani, turning the comic and emotional sequences into historic cinematic moments that established the movie as a major blockbuster.
A Look Back at the 2003 and 2006 Classics
The journey began in 2003 with the original installment, featuring an ensemble cast that included Gracy Singh, Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani, and Jimmy Sheirgill alongside Sanjay Dutt. In 2006, the sequel titled Lage Raho Munna Bhai reached cinemas. That narrative followed a protagonist posing as a history teacher who crosses paths with a radio jockey, leading to a romantic relationship. As she repeatedly invites him to deliver lectures on Mahatma Gandhi, he gradually embraces Gandhian ideals and principles, redefining the franchise's cultural impact.
