By ApunKaChoice Bureau Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com
A Vidhu Vinod Chopra production, Munnabhai MBBS is replete with laughter and emotions without being soppy. Debutant director Rajkumar Hirani has beautifully entwined the fun-filled scenes with the teary moments.
A few scenes that stand out are: When Munnabhai and his gang do their ritual bathing and shaving on Hari Prasad’s annual visit to check upon his son. Or when Dr. Asthana tears off Munnabhai’s charade by exposing his reality to his gullible parents. This particular scene becomes quite moving when heartbroken Hariprasad lays down his padgi.
One
hilarious moment that sticks out is Munnabhai’s ragging on the first day of Medical College. Other light moments include – Munnabhai’s jaado ki japphi to the terminally ill Zaheer (Jimmy Shergill) and his encounters with strict and priggish Dr. Asthana.
Sanjay Dutt’s polished performance, as the crude tapori making an entry into the medical world, is simply brilliant. The actor looks convincing as a small time goon and has a flair for genuine humor too. He deserves credit for making the film interesting till the very end.
Sunil Dutt exudes the warmth of an elderly man excellently and walks through his role with his natural act rather than resorting to unnecessary histrionics.
Gracy Singh’s footage is quite marginal in the film.
In the sideroles, Arshad Warsi fits perfectly as Munnabhai’s favorite sidekick Circuit and Jimmy Shergill looks believable as the patient of a deadly disease.
The movie’s backbone is fundu dialogues by Abbas Tyrewala in the typical tapori lingo. But of course, the major credit goes to Sanjay Dutt for his bindaas tapori act.
