Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003)

Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) is a warm, funny and emotionally satisfying Hindi comedy-drama about a lovable Mumbai gangster who tries to win back his parents’ respect by becoming a doctor. The film follows Murli Prasad “Munna” Sharma, a local goon who has long lied to his village parents that he’s an M.B.B.S. When his parents visit and arrange a marriage with a doctor’s daughter, Munna’s deception is exposed and his family is humiliated. Determined to set things right — and to force the proud Dr. Asthana to accept him — Munna enrols in medical college, where his streetwise ways collide with academic life and the rigid hospital establishment. Expect a roller-coaster of broad, comic set pieces and tender, heartfelt moments. Munna’s rough humor and schemes generate lots of laughs, while his simple moral instincts — epitomized by the film’s famous “jadoo ki jhappi” (magical hug) — create touching scenes of compassion and human connection. On campus he makes unlikely allies, irritates his rivals, slowly wins over Dr. Asthana’s daughter Chinki, and begins to challenge the orthodoxies of modern medicine with humor and common sense. The movie blends satire of the medical system with themes of redemption, family honor, and the power of empathy. Sanjay Dutt’s charismatic lead and the film’s mix of slapstick, sentiment and social commentary make it both entertaining and emotionally uplifting. Viewers will laugh, often cheer for Munna’s unconventional goodness, and leave feeling pleasantly moved — a feel-good crowd-pleaser with a heart.

Actors: Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Gracy Singh

Director: Rajkumar Hirani

Runtime: 156 min

Genres: Comedy, Drama

6.5 /10 8.1 /10 7.3 /10