Raju’s still writing the script: Boman Irani

Boman Irani, an integral character in both Munnabhai movies, promises to return in the third one too, says Sanjay Dutt is also keen on the sequel.

A couple of days ago, producer-director Vidhu Vinod Chopra confirmed that the third film in the Munnabhai series would start rolling in 2012. Actor Boman Irani, who has been part of Munnabhai MBBS (2003) and Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) admits writer-director Rajkumar Hirani is still writing the script for the movie, and until the producer and the director are sure of the storyline, they won’t start off on the project.

“It’s silly to just randomly cash in on a franchise. If Vidhu had to, he could have done that easily in 2006-07. He has waited and given Raju the time to think of an appropriate story and pen a script we can all be happy about. And it takes a lot for Raju to be

happy with what he’s doing,” says Boman, adding, “From what I know, he hasn’t finished writing. If everything works out, then maybe we’ll start with Munnabhai 3 soon.”

Boman admits that more than anyone else, Sanjay Dutt, who played the title role in both the movies, is keen for the third film to begin. “It was my birthday two weeks ago. Raju and a couple of friends met for dinner. He was being confronted on why he hadn’t started the sequel so far. And he was explaining that he doesn’t want to disappoint the audience with a weak story,” recalls the actor, adding, “Sanju quietly walked in, and after hearing the conversation, asked Raju, ‘Kab banayega Munnabhai?’”

Over the last two years, rumours spread that Sanjay and reel life sidekick, Arshad Warsi, were being replaced. “They can’t be!” exclaims Boman. “They are the key people in the film. How can you imagine anyone else in their shoes? They have to return.”