Rajkumar Hirani has given Hindi cinema some super hit films.
In our series Streaming Guide, we list the works of a filmmaker or actor which are available on streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, Eros Now and YouTube among more.
This edition features Bollywood filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani whose movies have been high on social message and goodness. He has films like Munna Bhai M.B.B.S, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Sanju, PK and 3 Idiots to his credit.
1. Munna Bhai M.B.B.S
Streaming on: Netflix, SonyLiv
Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani, Sunil Dutt, Gracy Singh, Jimmy Shergill
Munna Bhai M.B.B.S gave the audience a ‘Jaadu Ki Jhappi’ and even after 16 years of the film’s release, the moment you hear the phrase, you are bound to remember every time Munna (Sanjay Dutt) comforted people with just a simple hug. The film introduced movie buffs to a new form of ‘bhaigiri’ and highlighted how sometimes the sick could also be treated with love instead of the strict behaviour of the doctors. For me, this is Rajkumar Hirani’s best film.
2. Lage Raho Munna Bhai
Streaming on: Netflix
Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan, Boman Irani
After giving the audience a ‘Jaadu Ki Jhappi’, Rajkumar Hirani gave them ‘Gandhigiri’. The goons, Sanjay Dutt as Munna and Arshad Warsi as Circuit, resorted to non-violent ways of dealing with their enemies after learning a few principles of Mahatma Gandhi. And through them, the audience got to learn the ways of Gandhiji while enjoying some innocent laughs.
3. 3 Idiots
Streaming on: Netflix, SonyLiv
Cast: Aamir Khan, Sharma Joshi, R Madhavan, Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani, Javed Jafferi
2009 film 3 Idiots is the film that initiated a conversation around the faulty education system and parental pressure on students that lead them to commit suicide. And, all of it was done in such an entertaining way.
Also read | Streaming Guide | Gulzar | Anurag Kashyap | Hrithik Roshan | Priyanka Chopra | Imtiaz Ali | Vishal Bhardwaj | Sanjay Leela Bhansali | Ayushmann Khurrana | Hrishikesh Mukherjee | Anees Bazmee
4. PK
Streaming on: YouTube, Netflix, SonyLiv
Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt
It takes some courage to question religious beliefs in India. But Rajkumar Hirani did it and how. With Aamir Khan and Anushka Sharma in the lead role, Hirani presented a satirical take on the prevalent superstitions in Indian society. The plot might seem serious, but its treatment makes even the reruns a fun watch.
5. Sanju
Streaming on: Netflix, Hotstar
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Sonam Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Paresh Rawal
A biopic on Sanjay Dutt, Sanju featured incredible performances by Ranbir Kapoor, Paresh Rawal and Vicky Kaushal. But, here Hirani missed the mark of making a good biopic. Sanju, for me, is just like any other Bollywood biopic made in la-la land. It failed in portraying Dutt’s character in its varied shades. Instead, Hirani just white-washed Dutt’s character.
