Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalls empty theatres and unexpected success of Munna Bhai MBBS

Munna Bhai MBBS update

Veteran filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, celebrated for his iconic productions such as 3 Idiots, PK, and Sanju, recently revisited a defining chapter in his career — the release of Munna Bhai MBBS.

In a candid conversation with Screen,Vidhu Vinod Chopra recounted how the film, despite being initially rejected by distributors outside Mumbai, went on to become a commercial and critical triumph — and significantly contributed to his wealth.

Recalling the rocky beginnings, Vidhu Vinod Chopra revealed, “Munna Bhai MBBS opened to empty theatres. Munna Bhai MBBS is the movie that made me rich, but that’s because nobody bought that film outside of Mumbai.”

He went on to narrate an anecdote involving a South Indian distributor, who had acquired the rights for just ₹11 lakh. However, upon viewing the film days before release, the distributor backed out, claiming that the film would not resonate with audiences outside Mumbai due to the language and cultural nuances.

“He said, ‘Sir, this film won’t work even for a day. Nobody outside of Mumbai would get the language of Munna Bhai,’” Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalled.

With no major distributor in the South, Chopra relied on personal connections. “I had friends—Shyam Shroff and Bala Shroff—who had a company. There was a cinema there, and I got just one morning show at 11 am in Chennai,” he explained. Against all odds, that one screening marked the beginning of a word-of-mouth phenomenon. “I sold my print there for ₹5 lakh. My final business from that one centre was over ₹1 crore,” he shared, highlighting how good content eventually finds its audience.

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Directed by Rajkumar Hirani in his directorial debut and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Munna Bhai MBBS follows Murli Prasad Sharma (played by Sanjay Dutt), a warm-hearted gangster who infiltrates a medical college to fulfil his father's dreams.

The film, with its blend of humour, emotion, and social commentary, struck a deep chord with audiences. Featuring a memorable ensemble — Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani, Gracy Singh, and Sunil Dutt — the film marked the start of the cherished Munna Bhai franchise.