Director Rajkumar Hirani, who has delivered superhits like “Munnabhai
M.B.B.S.”, “Lage Raho Munna Bhai”, says the third film in the series
has been delayed by the lack of a strong script.
“We have always wanted to make the third film but it is getting
delayed because it shouldn’t look like we are making it only to encash
it,” said Hirani.
The third instalment was named “Munna Bhai Chale Amerika”, but it was
shelved. Now the new movie in the franchise is said to be called “Munna
Bhai Ki Aatma Katha”.
“We want the third to be better than the previous two. So, it is
getting delayed because script-wise it still needs to be strong…but we
will definitely make the third film,” the 49-year-old said.
He spoke on the sidelines of a festival to celebrate producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s three decades in the film industry.
Hirani confirms that actors Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi, who played
Munna and Circuit in the earlier two films respectively, will continue
playing the primary characters.
“Sanju is Munnabhai, I can’t imagine anybody else as Munnabhai. Sanju and Arshad as Munna, Circuit,” he said.
Sanjay says being a part of “Munna Bhai” changed his life for good.
“From my career, my daily life to my image, everything has changed
because of ‘Munna Bhai’, it’s so important,” the 52-year-old said here
at the event.
“It is a memorable film, a memorable role. Actors very rarely get a chance to do such a role and I think I am lucky,” he added.
In the 2003 film “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.”, Sanjay played a faux medical
student, who has a different, endearing way of treating people.
In the second film “Lage Raho Munna Bhai”, he played a faux
professor, and the movie became popular for Sanjay’s ‘Gandhigiri’ — his
practice of using non-violent methods to solve people’s personal
problems.
Sanjay is currently shooting for “Race 2″, “Zilla Ghaziabad”, “S.O.S.- Son of Sardar” and “Department.” 
