Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)

[sandeep]

Its not common for a sequel to be better than its predecessor... but Lage Raho Munna Bhai achieves in greater depth and humour what Munna Bhai MBBS did.

Not only is that an achievement for Director Rajkumar Hirani, but it shows how much he has learned from his first movie, and enhanced all the small nuances which touched us before to really strike a cord this time.

The timing of the movie couldnt be better either, we are ready to rediscover many of the values which were taught by Mahatma Gandhi, and one cant help but connect with his principles...

Sanjay Dutt plays the role of Munna Bhai even better, more maturely yet in a 'bhai' way. Arshad Warsi is loveable again as the Circuit, many of the characters have been repeated from the first outing... Vidya Balan is refreshing and proves her skill in her second movie, as she looks beautiful and acts naturally...

The Senior artists, the supporting cast, all add a new look to the movie which speaks to audiences about many issues with many messages, all delivered the Mahatma Gandhi, (or as he fondly called 'bappa') way.

The movie didnt let our mind wander at all, thats how well it was directed and written... You felt emotionally overwhelmed at many points, especially with the recurring soundtrack.

The humour is weaved effectively with the many situations that demand the expertise of Munna Bhai, and as the movie moves fast, you want to know what more can happen that already hasnt? You are never disappointed, as its a full flavour movie, which surprises you everytime!

All in all, excellent performances, and a movie which hits back home... you leave all warm and moist eyed, with a sense of pride and (hopefully) a more non-violent approach to deal with that day, or more!

4/5

[ozzylogic]

Yesh, I've heard it's better than the first part, will watch when I get my hands on a good, clear print. Fanx Sandeep.

[kaytee]

will watch when I get my hands on a good, clear print.

The cinemas have a good, clear print.

[ozzylogic]

will watch when I get my hands on a good, clear print.

The cinemas have a good, clear print.

Thou shall not spend money on Hindi flicks. Isn't that what P2P's for?

[kaytee]

I have only heard good things about this movie and some have even rated it better than the first, so I shall catch this over the weekend.

[sandeep]

will watch when I get my hands on a good, clear print.

The cinemas have a good, clear print.

LOL!!

[shariqq]

I managed to watch it last week - just haven't been able to sit down to write about it.

Better than the first? I'm not so sure of that - but it is a wonderful movie.

Lage Raho MunnaBhai (MB2) belongs to a genre that is almost forgotten in Bollywood. And the recent demise of the King of the genre it belongs to only makes its effect sweeter. MB2 is a Light Comedy in the vein of Hirishikesh Mukherjee. There's no slapstick, no Insult jokes, no being oversmart or Loud overacting - and the movie has a very simple yet endearing message.

MB2 concentrates in telling us something about our way of life, and how we could all be better if we only followed the princples of a simple man who inspired a whole country and brought an empire to its knees. Gandhi ( Bapu) is shown as the humble personality we have studied him to be - he comes to the rescue of Munnabhai (Sanjay Dutt) as a guardian angel whenever in trouble, and guides him as per the ageless Gandhi philosophies that are relevant today as much as they were then.

Rajkumar Hirani is out to prove and does so that "Gandhi-neeti" is not out-dated. It just needs to be interpreted and applied in our times with the same strong will that Bapu had in him more than 50 years ago. Hirani does this by starting Munnabhai as being completely ignorant to Bapu, and gets him to learn about Gandhiji bit by bit, until he eventually decides to face his problems in the Mahatma's way. Hirani also uses a very smart explanation to justify Bapu's presence in the movie.

Arshad Warsi is back in full form just as he was in 1 as Circuit, the side-kick "bhai". He is simply outstanding in his comedy. Dutt looks old and tired although he enacts his part as well as in the first too. But he is just too old now! Especially when he is romancing Vidya Balan, the gorgeous *new* heroine.

The characters are all as expected - stereotypes that belong to the genre. And although everything is just too convenient, that is how it IS in these movies anyway, nai? Within those rules, Hirani delivers a solid movie with a little less comedy, more drama and a lot more coziness than the first. For Bollywooders - this is a must watch.

[sacred_promises]

Better than the fist? I'm not so sure of that - but it is a wonderful movie.

am hoping you had meant "First" 

[sacred_promises]

am very much looking forward to watching it this weekend!

[shariqq]

Better than the fist? I'm not so sure of that - but it is a wonderful movie.

am hoping you had meant "First"

Yes I did, modified. Thanks.

...you know, that wrong statement actually works as a pun too 

[kaytee]

Excellent movie. Real touchy scenes, with loads of one liners, Arshad Warsi and Sanjay Dutt are a delight to watch when together.
More about it tomorrow.

[sulphurhead]

Vidya Balan looks ADORABLE... first time in a regular role - not in pre-independance times.
she doesn't come across fake even through ths sugar syrupy close up shots of the movie trying to sell us that she's cute. She's got this natural graceful yet perky look... like shreq pointed out - qualities of Madhubala ..

[shariqq]

like shreq pointed out - qualities of Madhubala ..

Mithun-da, I actually pointed at Waheeda Rehman. She's got that grounded yet exquisite allure.
Madhubala was an Eternal Beauty.

[sulphurhead]

whoops... sorry

[sandeep]

Lage Raho Munnabhai’ for Oscars

Yes, everyone knows that RANG DE BASANTI is India’s official entry to the Academy Awards. But even LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI is going to the Oscars.

Overwhelmed by the response from the fans and audiences internationally, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra has decided to send his blockbuster film to the Oscars as an independent entry. Ken Naz of Eros International, U.S.A. will be preparing the applications to seek entry for the film at the Oscars.

Speaking of his decision to send his film as a contender to the popular award function, Vidhu Vinod Chopra said, “The record number of fan mails that we have received worldwide have supported our belief and inspired us to go ahead with sending the film across to the Academy as an independent entry. We strongly believe that LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI is a film that should be screened at all international film festivals.”

The belief has been further strengthened by an invitation extended to Chopra by the University of Southern California for a special screening of LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI on 27th October, which has been organized for their cinema students and the press from Hollywood.

courtesy indiafm.com