Watch it for ladies and the...Shek

Lage Raho Munnabhai starts with its typical and well-received style and dialogs (in Mumbaiya bhai lingo), but quickly moves to the track of Gandhian philosophy. And what a concept! Truly, kudos to the film writers (Rajkumar Hirani and US-based Dr Abhijat Joshi) for a novel presentation of Gandhian philosophy in a comic manner. It portrays a new angle to Mahatama Gandhi, breaking his mould of a pure revolutionary only. A much guided relief from dull and boring documentary-style preachy tales told so far on freedom fighters (except RDB).

The concept of the movie is pretty simple: couple non-violence with love and patience...something that's hard to practice in today's corrupt world and does require a lot of guts (especially when you are beaten), but looks like it pays in the long run

The movie also nicely hits a social stigma along the way: lack of attention and care from today's younger generation towards their elders. Munna dragging the 'busy' son to celebrate his Dad's birthday is pretty nice. The concept of a lively 2nd innings is a welcome change from the oft-repeated attempt to show the elders in a poor hapless state in our movies. It's a brilliant attempt to make sure the elders feel at home and live their '2nd innings' if the young don't care for them. It's not supposed to be a haven for them and clearly doesn't replace the love and care from young, but it does sprinkle cheer in the deep wrinkles of those discarded by family.

Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi play their parts with real ease. The lead actress being a radio jockey is a straight lift-off of Preity in Australia-shot Salaam Namaste. As publicised earlier, Vidya Balan is way more graceful and watchable than Gracy Singh in part 1. Boman Irani as Lucky Singh is simply brilliant (I think he steals the show with his performance).

Overall, I think it's an excellent movie from the Vidhu Vinod Chopra/Raju Hirani camp, but it falls short of the standards set by part 1. I beg to disagree with VVC here. 1st part was much better, from a film-making point-of-view. Basic reasoning being that part 2 already had the characters' behavior, lingo, and mannerisms pre-defined by part 1. Part 2 did take a novel (and bold) concept and merged it with Munnabhai's character, but not much beyond that. Technical aspects (cinematography, editing, lighting...) are pretty average, but these weak points are overshadowed by the script and performances.

Part 2 does prove that sequels do work....rather I'd say a good movie works (sequel or not).

Rang De Basanti still holds firmly as my best movie of 2006 and, I think, was deservedly chosen as India's Oscar entry. Though I do think that both movies have a similarity in practical and relevant interpretation of our independence heroes in today's context.

Waiting for part 3.....Munna becomes a pilot? enters fauj?........

-Sanjit Singh Dang

Milpitas, California

Sept 28, 2006, 3pm PST.