Writer Farhad Samji onboard for Munna Bhai 3 with 2027 filming target

Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani has brought writer Farhad Samji on board to work on the screenplay for the long-awaited third instalment of the Munna Bhai franchise, with filming reportedly expected to begin in 2027.

Script Progress

According to a report by Variety India, Samji is currently writing the script and is expected to finish it soon. He has a history with the franchise, having written the opening refrain of the popular song 'M Bole Toh' for the first film, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., released in 2003. The upcoming movie aims to bring back Sanjay Dutt as Murli Prasad Sharma, known as Munna Bhai, and Arshad Warsi as his companion, Circuit. Both actors played these roles in the 2003 original and the 2006 sequel, Lage Raho Munna Bhai.

Production Delays

Rajkumar Hirani previously told Hindustan Times in June that he refused to make the film without a complete story that matches the quality of the earlier movies, noting that he had plenty of ideas up to the interval but struggled to find the rest of the plot. Actor Arshad Warsi also revealed that three incomplete drafts already exist, but they lack a central connection to hold the narrative together. Neither the makers nor the actors have officially confirmed the 2027 schedule or release date yet.

Context

The Munna Bhai series stands as one of the most popular comedy-drama franchises in modern Indian cinema, known for blending social messages with humour. The first film focused on the medical world, while the sequel explored Gandhian philosophy.