Sanjay Dutt’s Munna Bhai MBBS opened to empty theaters leaving Rajkumar Hirani upset, recalls Vidhu Vinod Chopra: ‘I lost a lot of money’

Sanjay Dutt’s Munna Bhai MBBS opened to empty theaters leaving Rajkumar Hirani upset, recalls Vidhu Vinod Chopra: ‘I lost a lot of money’

As a seasoned connoisseur of Indian cinema, I find myself continually amazed by the resilience and determination that lies at the heart of our film industry. The story of Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., a movie that initially struggled to find its footing but ultimately became an evergreen classic, is a testament to this indomitable spirit.


On my toughest days, I find solace in revisiting Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., a movie that resonates deeply with cinema enthusiasts. This satirical comedy-drama, directed by debutant Rajkumar Hirani, not only garnered a national award but has also earned the title of an evergreen classic. Interestingly, it initially struggled at the box office, playing on numerous screens nationwide yet failing to attract audiences – eventually achieving silver jubilee status.

In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Vidhu Vinod Chopra (the producer of the 2003 film) shared that Munna Bhai MBBS’s initial performance at the box office didn’t meet expectations. He mentioned that Rajkumar Hirani felt disappointed, expressing his sentiment as “I lost a considerable amount of money.”

In the heat of my passion, I recall the moment when I put forward a generous sum of eleven thousand rupees to Hirani, hoping to be part of his magical world. Yet, he gracefully declined, stating it was for nothing more than his next masterpiece. My heart pounded as I pleaded with him, suggesting another creation, asserting that this project held the potential to be truly extraordinary.

The movie didn’t gain momentum until after Monday, but attendance was low during weekends. “I wasn’t dependent on this film’s success for me to move onto another project,” Chopra revealed. However, one of the Tamil Nadu distributors, who initially agreed to distribute the film, later decided against it following a viewing.

As a dedicated follower, I recall the instance when Chopra stepped in, reached out to his distributor friend Shyam Shroff, and successfully arranged an additional screening at Satyam, a renowned cinema hall in Tamil Nadu. Miraculously, we secured a solitary show for Munna Bhai at 11:45 am, and from that solo performance, we raked in an impressive Rs 1.67 crore, as Chopra himself shared during the same interview.

The movie “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” is recognized as a significant milestone in Indian cinema history. Following its release, a follow-up film, titled “Lage Raho Munna Bhai,” was unveiled in 2006. This film features Sanjay Dutt, Sunil Dutt, Gracy Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill, Arshad Warsi, Rohini Hattangadi, and Boman Irani in prominent roles.

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2024-08-16 04:52