“Munna Bhai Chale Dilli”, the tentative title of the third “Munna Bhai” film of the popular Bollywood franchise, will be directed by Subhash Kapoor.
The earlier films in the franchise – “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” and “Lage Raho Munnabhai” – were directed by Rajkumar Hirani under the Vidhu Vinod Chopra Films Pvt Ltd. banner.
Now, Kapoor, who has earlier helmed “Phas Gaye Re Obama” and also the upcoming “Jolly L.L.B”, has taken over, said a statement.
Chopra, Hirani and co-writer Abhijat Joshi jointly feel that Kapoor is perfect to take the franchise to another level. They are especially confident after watching the special screening of “Jolly L.L.B.”, a satire on the country’s judiciary system.
“After seeing Subhash’s work and discussing his thoughts and ideas, Raju, Abhijat and I collectively felt that we have, after a long search, found an individual with the right sensibility and approach to work with us in taking forward the ‘Munna Bhai’ franchise,” Chopra said in a statement.
“I am pleased to welcome Subhash Kapoor into the Vinod Chopra Films family as the director of the next ‘Munna Bhai’ film,” he added.
Raju Hirani not directing next munnabhai film is a big surprise.looks like Raju has lost interest in munnabhai series after directing best actor aamir khan and working with aamir again in “PK” and wants to work with him only in the future bcoz their combination has given the biggest grosser of bollywood ever “3 idiots” and raju knows that only aamir can break his own records.
@sachin: yes raju and aamir share a great relationship but i dont think one can say that he wants to work only with aamir for all his movies…
remember P.K. is just being presented by VVC films and is being produced by Hirani himself….just get this feeling that Raju Hirani is now big and probably wants to start producing his films as well….Coyrights of Munnabhai as we all know are with VVC…..
Plus munnabhai is ready to kick off now and Hirani is busy with P.K. which is more than 1 year from its release…..so he doesnt have time for munnabhai currently , thats why another director ……though im sure Hirani will be creatively involved with Munnabhai….
I think Raju sir is not a franchise believer in regards to doing a franchise film for the sake of it. I believe he feels unless he can fully commit himself to the film then there is no point in making a 80% or 90% product especially when someone new can come in and give 100% effort. Im saying this is a subsonscious thing and Im in no way questioning Raju sirs credibility, commitment or dedication just I feel deep down he may have felt “lets get another director in with fresh and modern ideas on how to expand Munnas character etc etc”.
Thats my opinion but regardless Im sure with both Vinod and Raju involved in the creative process then the next installment will still be HUGE.
let us see how jolly llb turns out, and it is a huge risk for a new director to direct a successful franchisee like munnabhai series.
@JC true what you say but Im sure that Team Vidhu would not have taken the decision lightly but with them being in the background they will always be there to assist when needed. Really looking forward to Raju sirs PK with Aamir and hoping one day Vidhu sir also returns to direction. Hes too good a director not to be directing.