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Lage Raho Munnabhai  Producer: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Starring: Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Dilip Prabhawalkar, Boman Irani, Vidya Balan, Jimmy Shergill, Dia Mirza, Saurabh Shukla, Parikshit Sahani
Music Dir: Shantanu Moitra
 'What would you do if you witness during your morning or evening walk a teenager breaking an arm of Mahatma Gandhi's statue? This is a question that our goon, Munna Bhai, faces when he goes to meet her love interest (Jhanvi) for the first time at her home. Imagine yourself in place of Munna Bhai and try to come out with the answer. It's easy to question, but not that easy to answer. But, think of it in case Mahatma Gandhi is on your side to answer the question.
A very novel idea to tickle you bones and Raju Hirani must have got this idea in his dream only to make his next film with the famous characters -- Munna Bhai and Circuit. Munna and Circuit started a cult in their last 'Munnabhai MBBS', and now they are back and they are not alone this time. To make a film in continuation with the same characters and without it being a sequel has happened in Hindi cinema in sixties and seventies though not in recent times.
So, it has been a big task for director Raju Hirani and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra to come with a follow up of their super hit 'Munnabhai MBBS'. Sorry to have taken so long to come to the first query that you must be trying to know whether 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' meets the quality and comic sense of 'Munnabhai MBBS' or not? The answer is yes and with added bonus of its family values. The film is a must for everyone who wants a complete entertainer and also cares for the nation.
'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' starts on a new track. Murli Prasad Sharma alias Munna Bhai (Sanjay Dutt) is smitten by the fresh and inviting voice of Radio Jockey Jhanvi (Vidya Balan) every morning. He dreams of her throughout. And, then Jhanvi announces a contest that the winner will get a chance to meet her on her show. Munna Bhai already in love with this sweet voice shares this with his lieutenant Circuit (Arshad Warsi) who arranges a group of professors to answer for Munna.
On the quiz day, Munna wins and is invited to the show. But, he faces an obstacle when Jhanvi invites Munna to her home and delivers a lecture on Bapu to his father and his old aged friends. Munna is in a fix and decides to learn a lesson of Gandhi on his own. He locks himself in library and after reading for three days he starts dreaming about seeing Gandhi just before his eyes. He chats with Bapu who answers his questions.
The problem factor of the story is Lucky Singh (Boman Irani) who is after Jhanvi's bungalow. Lucky plays a trick and gets it, but Munna decides to get it back for his love but according to Bapu's lesson of non-violence. Can a goon do his routine work as per Bapu's advice? Will the teachings of Bapu work in an era where anger is the fashion of the day? Munna also ends up hosting a show on radio where he helps the callers with Bapu's lessons.
 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' was once titled 'Munna Bhai Meets Mahatma', but that had not been found to be a good title. The mystery of Bapu's presence is the backbone of the film. People have seen patriotic films like 'Sarfarosh', 'Lagaan', 'Swades' and 'Mangal Pandey' recently; these have been dead serious movies and one would wish to do something for the nation immediately. 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' is on a different track. It is a patriotic film with a difference. I don't remember a film where patriotism goes along a comedy, and that too not slapstick one.
Raju Hirani wins accolades for making such a unique film and Vidhu Vinod Chopra for believing in his protégé. With the help of Abhijaat (or is it Abhijit) Joshi, Raju creates a screenplay that is unparalleled. The film takes very little time to move to the story. One starts enjoying the events and starts believing in truth and non-violence as the film progresses. It tickles your bones but it is realistic. Some scenes are showpieces of Raju's work. The scene involving Jimmy Shergil, Parikshit Sahani with Sanjay and Vidya is the most moving one where Junior B gives a special appearance.
Though, one misses Sunil Dutt in the second film of Munna-Circuit cult, Sanjay Dutt carries the film from where he left the last one. The Munna character is just fit for him. He acts first class and his interactions with Mahatma Gandhi are just superb. Arshad Warsi gets his chance only until pre-interval but does it very well. Arshad acts more with his face than his words. This Munna-Circuit pair is sure to do wonder again in overseas as well. The remakes are in the offing and many down south must have started doing the casting as well.
Vidya Balan is just perfect in her role; she looks more peppy and sensuous than in her first film 'Parineeta'. She is growing fast and pose a real challenge to the likes of Rani Mukherjee and Aishwarya very soon. Boman shows his caliber once more. Dia Mirza and Jimmy do their parts well. The music is above average and supports the theme well.
 On the whole, in 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai', Raju and Vidhu have one more winner and its success will prompt them to make another film of the cult for sure. And, one more request: Please do show this film to your kids, they will learn a lot about their roots. It's probably the best lesson on Gandhi. Is someone from Parliament listening? No? People of India, please Lage Raho!
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