Come, discover the Gandhi in yourself.. Review on Lage Raho Munnabhai

After what seemed like an everlasting, never ending week, a movie seemed like the best get away. It did not matter (or at least so I thought) what movie it was, just wanted to be carried away and carried away I was. This movie made a difference. It felt like there was hope after all. Munna makes you realize that one man’s stand can make a difference. The Gandhigiri theory made me cry and laugh, provided wholesome entertainment and was thought provoking with no long lectures about right and wrong - this was simplicity at its glorious best, kudos Mr. Hirani, I salute you.

This time around Munna falls in love with Jhanvi, a radio show host with the heart of gold. She lives with her dad’s best friends who have been abandoned by their own families. The oldies reside at 2nd innings trying to do what ever they could not when they ever young, either due to family pressure or just lack of motivation. Munna poses as a history Professor in order to meet his dream girl. His life changes forever when Jhanvi invites him to 2 nd innings to give a lecture to all her old friends. Munna considers a lot of options as to how he can pull off the stunt without actually knowing next to nothing about Bapu. But decides to take straight approach and lands up at the Mahatma’s library to gather as much information as he can. Exhausted yet relentless, he continues his conquest of knowledge until he starts to “see” the Mahatma.. Did Munna really see Gandhi or did he discover the Gandhi in himself? Whether he really saw Gandhi or not, Munna uses his new found knowledge to change his life and life of so many other people, even his own friend turned enemy, Lucky Singh. Lucky Singh encroaches the 2nd Innings bungalow when Munna is on a vacation with Jhanvi and the oldies. Now Munna, inspired by Gandhi, decides to protest in front of his house, and by sending Get well soon cards and flowers. He even joins Jhanvi on the radio and asks people he helps with his gandhigiri to send flowers and cards to Lucky Singh. Did Lucky Singh give in? Just go watch the movie.

There are so many scenes in this movie that touch you. But I especially loved the one where Circuit, Munna’s famous sidekick pretends he can “see” Gandhi as well, just so his friend does not feel like he is loosing it. He even leads the invisible Gandhi to the taxi and tells the taxi driver to driver away, and when the taxi driver asks him where to, he says mujhe kya pata, and he asks who is he driving, he again says mujhe kya pata??. That was hilarious.

The cast is a wonderful fall floral collection. They are colorful and full of life; fill your hearts with hope and aspiration. Munna and Circuit do steal the show but Bomman does his part well also.

It is amazing how so many interesting concepts that apply all throughout our lifetimes and the generations to come have been well packaged in a movie that lasts for just 3 hours! But it has been made, and made very very well. This was probably the best 10$ I have ever spent in a very long time, Thank you Mr. Hirani.