Munna Bhai M.B.B.S to Sanju, Rajkumar Hirani's previous box office successes before Shah Rukh Khan's Dunki

By Tanmayi Savadi

on December 18, 2023 05:28:23 PM

Rajkumar Hirani doesn't need an introduction. A prolific filmmaker who tells important stories with a dash of humour and loads of entertainment, he returned to the director's chair with the upcoming socio-drama, Dunki. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Boman Irani, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Vikram Kochhar, and Anil Grover, the film will release in theatres on December 21, 2023.

Dunki marks the maiden collaboration between Rajkumar and Shah Rukh. The filmmaker has delivered back-to-back hits and the socio-drama is expected to be an addition to his kitty. With Shah Rukh headlining the film after 2 blockbusters in 2023, fans are predicting an explosion at the cash counter this Christmas. Ahead of Dunki, here's a track of Rajkumar's previous box office record.

Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.

Rajkumar Hirani's iconic and cult classic Munna Bhai M.B.B.S wasn't just critically acclaimed and commercially successful. Starring Sunil Dutt, Rohini Hattangadi, Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani and Gracy Singh, the film was reportedly made on a budget of Rs. 10 crores and collected Rs. 31.01 crores in India. In contrast, the overseas collection was Rs. 3.81 crores. Munna Bhai M.B.B.S released in 2003.

Lage Raho Munna Bhai

The second installment in the Munna Bhai franchise, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, saw Sanjay and Arshad returning as Munna and Circuit with a fresh story. Boman played a different role whereas Vidya Balan was signed to play the lead opposite Sanjay. In 2006, the film was declared tax-free in several states. Lage Raho Munna Bhai was a blockbuster at the box office as it collected Rs. 100.78 crores in India and Rs. 24.20 crores overseas.

3 Idiots

While the Munna Bhai franchise received all the love and acclaim, 3 Idiots was Rajkumar's most impactful and talked-about film. It won 3 National Awards in 2009. Headlined by Aamir Khan, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Boman Irani, Omi Vaidya and Mona Singh, the film collected Rs. 460.00 crores collectively on a budget of Rs. 55 crores.

After the humongous success of 3 Idiots, Rajkumar reunited with Aamir in 2014 for PK. Anushka Sharma and Sushant Singh Rajput were playing central roles along with Aamir. While PK received polarised reactions, its India collection was Rs. 507.00 crores whereas it made Rs. 285.00 crores overseas.

Sanju

Teaming up with Ranbir Kapoor for the first time, Rajkumar told the story of Sanjay Dutt and his jail sentence in Sanju. The biopic also starred Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala, Vicky Kaushal, Anushka Sharma, Dia Mirza and Sonam Kapoor in key roles. Sanju, released in 2018, collected Rs. 438.50 crores in India. The overseas collection was Rs. 150 crores.