The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa has been a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes stories, and filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s session, Living Movies: Filmmaking and the Creative Life, on Friday was no exception. The celebrated director and producer shared fascinating insights about the making of the 2003 cult classic Munna Bhai MBBS, revealing how casting changes shaped the film’s destiny.
Chopra disclosed that Sanjay Dutt, who immortalized the role of Munna Bhai, was initially cast as Zaheer, the terminally ill character ultimately played by Jimmy Shergill. The titular role, he shared, was meant for another star who backed out at the last minute.
“Some other star was supposed to be Munna Bhai. I won’t mention his name, my wife will kill me,” Chopra quipped, leaving the audience intrigued. He added, “As usual, what stars do, he backed out at the last moment for whatever reasons. Sanjay Dutt was supposed to do Jimmy Shergill’s role; he wasn’t Munna Bhai.”
While Chopra didn’t name the star, it has long been speculated that Shah Rukh Khan was originally cast as Munna Bhai, with Makrand Deshpande slated to play Circuit. However, the last-minute changes led to Sanjay Dutt stepping into the iconic role, a casting decision that turned out to be a masterstroke.
Chopra also shed light on Sanjay Dutt’s laid-back approach to preparation. “When Sanjay came, I said, ‘Tu Munna Bhai kar raha hai, the main character.’ He was like, ‘Aap jo kahoge vo kar lunga’ (I’ll do whatever you say). He wasn’t even particular about any character,” Chopra recalled, drawing laughter from the audience.
In true Dutt fashion, the actor didn’t bother to read the script even after being given the lead role. “I gave Sanju the script to read. He came back after one and a half hours and said, ‘Kamaal ka script hai.’ He didn’t even read a single page,” Chopra shared, highlighting the actor’s trust in the filmmakers.
This anecdote added yet another layer to the legacy of Munna Bhai MBBS, a film that has remained a fan favorite for its humor, heart, and unforgettable performances
