Lage Raho Munnabhai

What’s it about: Imagine Hindi cinema that’s wholesome, entertaining and enriching. That’s what Rajkumar Hirani’s Lage Raho Munnabhai is all about. It serves a message that’s long-lasting in a narrative that makes you laugh, cry and most importantly, think. If Rang De Basanti brought out the rebellious streak in you, Lage Raho… will bring out your human side. It will enrapture you with its sheer simplicity, the common thread of patriotism being the highly effective factor in both films. Munnabhai (Sanjay Dutt) is back with Circuit (Arshad Warsi) in tow; only this time, he’s in love with Jhanvi (Vidya Balan) who is a radio jockey. To win her affections, Munna pretends to be a professor and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideologies. The twist happens when the Mahatma actually appears in front of Munna and helps him in solving his problems; of course, using his own non-violent methods.But the ideologies work for Munna, even when Jhanvi stands to lose her home to a crooked builder Lucky Singh (Boman Irani), Munna abides by the Gandhian philosophy and fights the bad guys using that as his ammunition. In the process, he almost awakens the conscience of an entire city. What’s hot: Hirani’s screenplay is laced with dollops of humour and laughs galore. What’s commendable is that even though he highlights the abandonment of Gandhian values in today’s times, he stresses the desperate need for the same very effectively through the actions of his protagonist. And he does this all in a style that’s colourful, cheery and mercifully not preachy. That’s the biggest triumph of Lage Raho…. Backed by an innovative script, Hirani once again displays his class in the fine sketching of his characters. The portrayal of Gandhi is brilliant; at no point does it ever look like a caricature. In fact, the best scenes in the film are the ones between the Mahatma and Munnabhai. Hirani deserves a special pat on the back for many scenes: the first time Munna and Circuit discuss the significance of October 2 is hilarious; the sequences where they both are put behind bars; the college scene where Munna poses as a professor in front of Jhanvi; even the whole episode where Munna makes the builder Lucky’s life miserable with his ‘good wishes’ is penned brilliantly.The scene where an old guy starts stripping is hilarious. As is the guy in the paan-spitting scene. Like the original, Hirani excels in drama as well, especially so because it’s done so subtly. The music by Shantanu Moitra is soothing. The ‘Bande Main Hain Dum’ song is the highlight.Among the performances, Arshad Warsi adds his own touch to every scene that he’s a part of. Vidya Balan is getting better with every film; she’s excellent in the romantic scenes with Sanjay. Hirani puts together a fine ensemble cast comprising amazing stage talents like Atmaram Bhende, Kishore Pradhan and Dilip Prabhavalkar (as Gandhi) — and he scores. The soul of Lage Raho… is of course, Sanjay Dutt, who gives an award-winning performance all over again. Whether it’s comedy or drama (look for the scene where he’s apologising to Arshad), Sanjay shines throughout. The casualness with which he carries off his role is what makes it so impactful. What’s not: Only for a while, the proceedings in the second half seem long-winding and the script wanders a bit. The entire scene with Parikshit Sahni and Jimmy Shergill has been stretched too far. A couple of scenes are somewhat over-the-top: Like a drunken Munnabhai taking over the radio station and going live. The cinematography by Muraleedharan C K is a bit of a letdown. What to do: Lage Raho… is just what this generation needs, a revival of values and ideals without being preachy. The film’s impact is far greater than all the textbooks you’ve read (and forgotten) in school. Mahatma Gandhi is back — and well, what a comeback. Carry on Munnabhai.