Rajkumar Hirani, the celebrated Indian filmmaker, turns 63 today, November 20, 2025. Known for his ability to blend humor with profound social commentary, Hirani has consistently delivered films that resonate with audiences of all ages. This article delves into the top five movies that have shaped his iconic filmmaking journey and offers a glimpse into his upcoming projects.
Hirani's filmography is a testament to his unique storytelling ability. His movies make audiences laugh, cry, and think, often simultaneously. He began his career as a film editor, even working on Vidhu Vinod Chopra's "Mission Kashmir" (2000). However, his desire to direct led him to write "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.", which Chopra helped him finance.
Top 5 Movies of Rajkumar Hirani:
- Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003): This heartwarming comedy-drama marked Hirani's directorial debut and became a widespread critical and commercial success. The film introduced audiences to Munna Bhai (Sanjay Dutt), a kind-hearted goon who pretends to be a doctor. Its blend of humor, emotion, and social commentary resonated deeply with viewers. The movie also gives some iconic emotional moments like Sanjay Dutt hugging his father and the 'jadoo ki jhappi' which was trending for a long time.
- Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006): The sequel to "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S." continued the endearing saga of Munna Bhai, incorporating Gandhian philosophy and magical realism. Sanjay Dutt's portrayal of Munna Bhai and the concept of "Gandhigiri" left a lasting impression.
- 3 Idiots (2009): This cinematic masterpiece combines humor, friendship, and a critique of the education system. Starring Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi, the film resonated with students, parents, and educators alike. The film follows three friends as they navigate the pressures of the Indian education system, proving that success isn't just about academics. The movie is based on the life of engineering students and is loosely adapted from Chetan Bhagat’s novel Five Point Someone.
- PK (2014): Hirani once again teamed up with Aamir Khan in "PK," a science fiction religious satire that tackled religious dogmas and superstitions with wit and sensitivity. Aamir's portrayal of an alien stranded on Earth was both thought-provoking and entertaining, making it a massive hit. The film sparked debates, made people laugh and became a huge commercial success.
- Sanju (2018): This biographical drama is based on the life of actor Sanjay Dutt. Ranbir Kapoor's transformative performance as Dutt received widespread acclaim. Hirani's storytelling brought depth and empathy to this blockbuster.
Upcoming Projects:
While "Dunki," a comedy-drama film on immigration starring Shah Rukh Khan, was released in 2023, Hirani has several other projects in the pipeline.
- Dadasaheb Phalke Biopic: Hirani is reportedly collaborating with Aamir Khan on a biopic about Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, slated for a Christmas 2026 release. The biopic will employ advanced AI-generated visuals to recreate the early 20th-century setting of India's independence era.
- Potential collaboration with Vijay Varma: In a 2024 interview, Hirani expressed interest in working with actor Vijay Varma, praising him as a "fantastic actor" and mentioning that a script was in the writing stage.
- Potential collaboration with Ram Charan: Speculation has surfaced regarding a potential collaboration between Rajkumar Hirani and Telugu actor Ram Charan for an upcoming project.
- Munna Bhai 3: Rajkumar Hirani plans to work on a third installment of 'Munna Bhai' with Sanjay Dutt, revealing he's juggling five half-finished scripts with unique ideas. He humorously mentioned Sanjay Dutt's eagerness for another sequel.
In addition to his directorial ventures, Hirani is also committed to nurturing emerging talent in Indian cinema. He is scripting his next feature film with Vicky Kaushal, which is expected to begin production in 2026 after the actor completes his current commitments.
Rajkumar Hirani's ability to deliver social messages with humor and emotional intelligence has solidified his place as one of Indian cinema's most successful and influential filmmakers. As he celebrates his birthday, fans eagerly anticipate his upcoming projects, which promise to continue his legacy of creating thought-provoking and entertaining films.
