Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani’s directorial debut Munna Bhai MBBS, which was released in 2003, is a widely acclaimed movie. Although Sanjay Dutt won hearts by playing the iconic role of Murli Prasad Sharma aka Munna, it is also a known fact that the filmmaker had earlier approached Shah Rukh Khan for the role. The actor had to refuse the film as he had undergone a spinal operation and wasn’t sure about his dates.
20 years later, SRK and Hirani have collaborated on Dunki which was released earlier this week and has been appreciated by the critics as well as the audience. The film also features Taapsee Pannu, Vikram Kocchar, Anil Grover, and Vicky Kaushal (in a special appearance).
In an exclusive conversation with News18, Hirani revealed how he had decided to work with Shah Rukh Khan when he was studying at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and why it took him two decades to collaborate with the actor. He said, “I remember studying in a film school and the real struggle for any filmmaker was how we would make our first film. Will we get a producer? Will any actor come on board? So we had a common room where all the students would watch television together. I recall watching this series called Circus and I vividly remember the scene including the camera angle where one actor was performing and delivering a monologue,” he said, adding, “I didn’t know who he was but I loved his performance. I told myself once I passed out from school, I would approach him and make a film. “It took me two years to graduate from the film institute and by that time, Shah Rukh Khan had become a huge star (laughs). So, I had to wait for 20 years to collaborate with him on a film.”
On being asked what sets Shah Rukh apart from all the actors that he has worked with in the past, the 3 Idiots director said, “I was enamoured by his charm. I would put on an eye mask and earplugs when he was giving a shot. Once he finished, my assistant would tell me ‘Sir shot khatam ho gaya hai,’ and then I would open my eyes (laughs). Jokes apart, he is an amazing actor and an even better person.”
Hirani has directed five films before Dunki and has had a 100 percent success track record at the box office. However, the filmmaker isn’t worried about the outcome of Dunki. “It’s only the first film when a director doesn’t feel the pressure. It’s an achievement when a director finishes and releases his first film. Post that there is always pressure for success but I have never succumbed to it. I have never followed any trend as I feel it’s a trap. My idea is still to entertain the audience and make films that we believe in,” he said.
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