Munnabhai MBBS
A genuine comedy after a long long time

Vidhu Vinod Chopra was talking to a TV guy on the occasion of his film's premiere show. He said that he was encouraged by the standing ovation given to the film by the audiences that came for the show. Invitees to a premiere always give standing ovations to the films they get to watch without spending a penny. They may not get invited next time if they did not. That is why one took Vinod's statement with a pinch of salt. It sounded like an attempt to create the usual hype around the film before its release.

It was not. He was speaking the truth.

Munnabhai is being given standing ovations in cinema halls. The film is on its way to becoming a major hit.

It deserves it. It is a beautifully made film. It is a lovingly scripted, performed, photographed, acted, produced, and directed film. Rajkumar Hirani, Vinod Chopra, and their team can be really proud of their work. They must have enjoyed every moment of making this film. And the audiences enjoy every moment of watching the film.

They have a glow of happiness on their faces as they come out of the hall. It is like old times.

 Here is a genuine heart warming comedy laced with pathos. It is a classically simple film. Sanjay Dutt will probably be known as Munnabhai from now onwards. Arshad Warsi excels as Circuit. All the actors in the film have lived their roles. Gracy Singh looks beautiful. The magic and power of competent direction and writing is amply demonstrated here. It can do wonders to the careers of all who are associated with the film.

In some earlier Vinod Chopra films you got the glimpses of classic comic characterizations. Johnny Lever's role of a 'laundry wallah', a 'dhobi', in 'Kareeb' was unforgettable. Munnabhai has the same touch. Some critics have mentioned about a Robin Williams film with a similar theme. This is true. Munnabhai is inspired by it as far as the basic story is concerned. However, the adaptation surpasses the original. The original has a typical Robin Williams playing a typical Robin Williams role. Here we have Sanjay Dutt who almost lives the character of Munnabhai. He has done similar looking roles in the past in films like Vastav. He has also won awards for those portrayals. However, Munnabhai is his best performance till date. Robin Williams is no match to this good hearted Tapori, a goon, who decides to redeem the honour of his father by becoming a an MBBS by hook or crook. Williams is too intellectually oriented to be universally likeable. He is a typical goody goody character, who is also a bit phoney. Munnabhai is not phoney. He is a rough diamond with a hard exterior and a soft core. This is the special Indian touch. In fact, his character succeeds in overcoming the inherent phoniness of the scenes that are inspired by the Hollywood movie.

Munnabhai is a sensitive soul. When he sees rank injustice taking place, he reacts. He does not like the idea of completing the formalities before admitting a dying patient in a hospital. He is a problem solver and a saviour by nature. If you have a problem, go to Munnabhai. He can do anything. He is an omnipotent elder brother. He is just. His gang of goons are his confirmed acolytes. He too has a role to play. He has chosen the role of a problem solving goon. He is selfless and generous. He invites his room partner in the medical school to have a great time at his expense. He tries to give a dying man the best time of his life. He seems a bit uncivilized, but he is civilized enough to care for the tears of his father. He respects women. He does not like the idea of the Medical college dean insulting a streetwalker. There are so many nuances to this character. Hollywood storytellers do not have the capacity to create such a multi-dimensional character. Their goons are always self serving civilized bastards. And as far as Robin Williams is concerned, he is too flat and too white and thus very boring. He is like a Reader's Digest joke that is no match to anonymous and spontaneous Tapori jokes that make you laugh till you cry.

The dialogues in the film are beautiful. They are simple, uncomplicated , and unpredictable with a touch of reality. The film avoids the easy and well trodden path of 'slapstick'. Here, comedy is combined with pathos. This makes it a wholesome experience for the viewer. It means that the film will have a much longer run at the box office compared with 'Hungama'.

It is not that the film does not have any flaws. The film ends abruptly. The writer and director should have worked it out a little more carefully. They have got caught  into the 'Kal Ho Na Ho' trap. They were probably influenced by the Karan Johar's theory of film making which enunciates, 'if parts of the film are beautiful, the whole film will eventually become beautiful'. It does not work this way. Discerning audiences easily notice flaws like abrupt endings. Great filmmakers should also be able to notice these things. 'Lagaan', 'Chandani Bar' and to some extent 'Dil Chahata Hai' scripts did not have such problems. These were well integrated films. However, the beautiful characters of Munnabhai compensate for these flaws. The viewer too finds these inconsequential in his/her final analysis of the film.
 
 
 

What about the songs in the film? There are no reports about Munnabhai songs doing well on the charts. However, they work very well in the film, especially the item number. The lyrics do matter here. The situation is apt. There should have been a full blooded kiss towards the end though. The idea of a streetwalker trying to turn a cancer patient on and giving him the time of his life is a singular one from the POV of Indian films. It was a bold thing to do. Go for a six, before getting bowled out. Congratulations Mr. Rajkumar Hirani.

We would still miss the kiss.

Karan Johar has been going around town telling everyone that the Oscar Library has requested him to send the 'Kal Ho Na Ho' script for their archives. The film has been invited to Berlin Film Festival. It may even be nominated for an Oscar. Strange are the ways of God. However, we  would never know as to what terminal illness Shahrukh was suffering from in KHNH. 

As far as this reviewer is concerned, Munnabhai MBBS is the best Indian film of the year 2003, even if its script does not get invited for the archives of Oscar library.

So here is an uncharacteristically positive Khullamkhulla review at the end of the year, thanks to Munnabhai MBBS.

Moreover, it is Christmas time folks.

Go ahead and watch the film.