Rajkumar Hirani
Encyclopedia
Rajkumar Hirani is a National Award
and Filmfare Award
winning Indian director
, screenwriter
and film editor of Hindi films, best known for the films Munna Bhai MBBS (2003), Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) and 3 Idiots (2009), considered the highest-grossing Hindi film by distributor-share.
Rajkumar Hirani (very commonly known as Raju Hirani) was born in Nagpur
to a Sindhi
family. His father Suresh Hirani ran a typing institute in Nagpur
. Hirani family migrated to India
after Partition of India
when Suresh Hirani was 14 year old. Rajkumar Hirani studied in St. Francis De'Sales High School, Nagpur, Maharashtra
. Rajkumar did not have enough marks to get admission in either engineering or medical courses so he did his graduation in commerce. Hirani helped his father in his business but he wanted to be actor in Hindi films. In college days he was involved with Hindi theatre. Suresh got his son's photographs shot and packed him off to an acting school in Mumbai. But Raju could not blend in and returned to Nagpur after three days. His father then asked Raju to apply to the Film and Television Institute of India
in Pune
, but the acting course had shut down by then and chances of admission to the directorial course looked slim as there were way too many applicants. So Raju opted for the editing course. He earned a scholarship, thereby reducing the load on his father's shoulders.
ad where some guys and elephants are trying to pull and break a Fevicol plank saying "Jor laga ke Haisha". He was doing good in advertisement business but he wanted to make movies so he took a break from advertisement and started working with Vidhu Vinod Chopra
. He worked on promos and trailers for 1942: A Love Story
. He edited promos for Kareeb
. He got a big break as film editor with Mission Kashmir
.
. Munnabhai MBBS not only broke all formulaic conventions associated with Bollywood films but also became a trend setter. Made on a budget of Rs. 10 crores, it was a huge hit worldwide and took a distributor share of Rs. 25 crores from the Indian market. His second directorial effort was Lage Raho Munnabhai which had a strong cultural impact in India, popularising Gandhism
under Munna Bhai
's notion of Gandhigiri
. The film was generally well-received by both critics and the mass audience and was a huge box office success.
, R. Madhavan
, Sharman Joshi
, Kareena Kapoor
, Omi Vaidya
, Parikshit Sahni and Boman Irani
. The film was also very well received by the critics. 3 idiots became the highest grosser in Indian cinema shattering all records across Indian and overseas markets.
For Lage Raho Munna Bhai
For 3 Idiots
National Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
and Filmfare Award
Filmfare Awards
The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. The Filmfare ceremony is one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India. The awards were...
winning Indian director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
and film editor of Hindi films, best known for the films Munna Bhai MBBS (2003), Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) and 3 Idiots (2009), considered the highest-grossing Hindi film by distributor-share.
Early life and education
Rajkumar Hirani (very commonly known as Raju Hirani) was born in Nagpur
Nagpur
Nāgpur is a city and winter capital of the state of Maharashtra, the largest city in central India and third largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune...
to a Sindhi
Sindhi people
Sindhis are a Sindhi speaking socio-ethnic group of people originating from Sindh, a province Formerly of British India, now in Pakistan. Today Sindhis that live in Pakistan belong to various religious denominations including Islam, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Christianity...
family. His father Suresh Hirani ran a typing institute in Nagpur
Nagpur
Nāgpur is a city and winter capital of the state of Maharashtra, the largest city in central India and third largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune...
. Hirani family migrated to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
after Partition of India
Partition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
when Suresh Hirani was 14 year old. Rajkumar Hirani studied in St. Francis De'Sales High School, Nagpur, Maharashtra
St. Francis De'Sales High School, Nagpur, Maharashtra
St. Francis De'Sales High School and Junior College Nagpur is an educational institution in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. It is managed by the Missionaries of St. Francis De'Sales . SFS School is governed by the Nagpur Archdiocese and is located in Sadar, Nagpur.St. Francis De'Sales High school is...
. Rajkumar did not have enough marks to get admission in either engineering or medical courses so he did his graduation in commerce. Hirani helped his father in his business but he wanted to be actor in Hindi films. In college days he was involved with Hindi theatre. Suresh got his son's photographs shot and packed him off to an acting school in Mumbai. But Raju could not blend in and returned to Nagpur after three days. His father then asked Raju to apply to the Film and Television Institute of India
Film and Television Institute of India
Film and Television Institute of India , is an autonomous Institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. It is fully aided by Central Government of India. It is situated in the premises of the erstwhile Prabhat Film Company in Pune, India...
in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
, but the acting course had shut down by then and chances of admission to the directorial course looked slim as there were way too many applicants. So Raju opted for the editing course. He earned a scholarship, thereby reducing the load on his father's shoulders.
Early career
After FTII, Hirani tried his luck as film editor for many years. Bad experiences forced him to shift to advertising. and gradually established himself as a director and producer of advertising films. He was also seen in a FevicolFevicol
Fevicol is a brand of adhesives owned by the Indian company Pidilite. It is one of the largest selling adhesives brand in Asia.- Pidilite :The first white glue was introduced in India in 1959. The brand was originally launched as an easy-to-use glue for carpenters...
ad where some guys and elephants are trying to pull and break a Fevicol plank saying "Jor laga ke Haisha". He was doing good in advertisement business but he wanted to make movies so he took a break from advertisement and started working with Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Vidhu Vinod Chopra is an Indian director and producer. Chopra is the head of his own company, Vinod Chopra Productions, and is particularly known for producing the Munna Bhai films and 3 Idiots.-Early life:Born in a Punjabi family of Kashmir,...
. He worked on promos and trailers for 1942: A Love Story
1942: A Love Story
1942: A Love Story is a 1994 Bollywood film starring Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala, Jackie Shroff, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa, and Pran. The film was the first ever to be given a U/A rating while featuring a scene, previously considered inappropriate for young children, showing the actors kissing...
. He edited promos for Kareeb
Kareeb
Kareeb is a 1998 Bollywood film directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. It stars Bobby Deol and Neha.- Plot :...
. He got a big break as film editor with Mission Kashmir
Mission Kashmir
Mission Kashmir is a 2000 Bollywood film directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and starring Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta and Jackie Shroff as the main characters. Mission Kashmir follows the life and tragedy of a young boy named Altaaf after his entire family gets killed by...
.
Munnabhai MBBS and afterwards
Rajkumar Hirani's first directorial venture was Munnabhai MBBS (2003) which is considered a cult classicCult Classic
Cult Classic is a Blue Öyster Cult studio recording released in 1994, containing remakes of many of the band's previous hits.-Track listing:# " The Reaper" - 5:05# "E.T.I...
. Munnabhai MBBS not only broke all formulaic conventions associated with Bollywood films but also became a trend setter. Made on a budget of Rs. 10 crores, it was a huge hit worldwide and took a distributor share of Rs. 25 crores from the Indian market. His second directorial effort was Lage Raho Munnabhai which had a strong cultural impact in India, popularising Gandhism
Gandhism
Gandhism is the collection of inspirations, principles, beliefs and philosophy of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , who was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian Independence Movement....
under Munna Bhai
Munna Bhai
Munna Bhai is a series of Bollywood films directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vinod Chopra Productions. The first film is Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. , the second is Lage Raho Munna Bhai . A third film, Munnabhai Chale Amerika is still under development.-Overview:Murli Prasad Sharma is portrayed...
's notion of Gandhigiri
Gandhigiri
Gandhigiri is a relatively new term in India which is used to express the tenets of Gandhism in contemporary terms. The term became popular due to its usage in the 2006 Hindi film, Lage Raho Munna Bhai...
. The film was generally well-received by both critics and the mass audience and was a huge box office success.
3 Idiots
His third film was the comedy 3 Idiots starring Aamir KhanAamir Khan
Aamir Hussain Khan is an Indian film actor, director and producer who has established himself as one of the leading actors of Hindi cinema....
, R. Madhavan
R. Madhavan
R. Madhavan is an Indian actor, writer, film producer and television host. Madhavan has received a Filmfare Award, an award from the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards alongside recognition and nominations from other organisations...
, Sharman Joshi
Sharman Joshi
Sharman Joshi is an Indian film and theatre actor. He has worked on various stage productions in English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati languages. However, he is mostly known for his work in Hindi films.-Personal life :...
, Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor , often informally referred to as Bebo, is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. During her career, Kapoor has received six Filmfare Awards, among nine nominations, and has been noted for her performances in a range of film genres; these include her work from contemporary...
, Omi Vaidya
Omi Vaidya
Omi Vaidya is an Indian American actor who is best known for his performance as Chatur Ramalingam or "The Silencer" in the 2009 Bollywood film, 3 Idiots. In addition, Vaidya has directed two short films and worked as an editor on others. He has also appeared in a number of television programs and...
, Parikshit Sahni and Boman Irani
Boman Irani
Boman Irani is an Indian film and theatre actor and photographer. Irani began his acting career in theatre and moved to film in 2000 at the age of 44 with a role in Josh...
. The film was also very well received by the critics. 3 idiots became the highest grosser in Indian cinema shattering all records across Indian and overseas markets.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 2003 in film The year 2003 in film involved some significant events. Releases of sequels took place with movies like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, Pokémon Heroes, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,... |
Munna Bhai M.B.B.S | Director, Editor, Writer | |
| 2006 2006 in film - Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2006... |
Lage Raho Munna Bhai Lage Raho Munna Bhai Lage Raho Munna Bhai is a 2006 Indian musical comedy film directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. It is the second film in the popular Munna Bhai series of Bollywood. Sanjay Dutt stars in this film as Munna Bhai, a Mumbai underworld don, who begins to see the spirit of... |
Director, Editor, Writer | |
| 2009 2009 in film The year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note... |
3 Idiots | Director, Editor, Writer | |
| 2011 2011 in film The year 2011 is notable for containing the release of the most film sequels in a single year, at 27 sequels. The following tables list films that are in production or have completed production and will be released in the United States and Canada at some point in 2011.- Highest-grossing films :... |
Munnabhai Chale Amerika Munnabhai Chale Amerika Munna Bhai Chale Amerika is an Indian comedy film produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and directed by Rajkumar Hirani. It is the third film of the Munna Bhai series all of which follow the comic adventures of Munna Bhai or Murli Prasad Sharma and his sidekick, Circuit or Cirkeshwar .Director... |
Director, Editor, Writer | |
Filmography as producer and editor
| Year | Film | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 1993 in film The year 1993 in film involved many significant films, including the blockbuster hits Jurassic Park, The Fugitive and The Firm. -Events:... |
1942: A Love Story 1942: A Love Story 1942: A Love Story is a 1994 Bollywood film starring Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala, Jackie Shroff, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa, and Pran. The film was the first ever to be given a U/A rating while featuring a scene, previously considered inappropriate for young children, showing the actors kissing... |
Promos and trailers |
| 1998 1998 in film -Events:* February 14 - Sharon Stone marries Phil Bronstein.* Former child star Gary Coleman is charged with assaulting a young female bus driver at a California shopping mall.-Top grossing films:... |
Kareeb Kareeb Kareeb is a 1998 Bollywood film directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. It stars Bobby Deol and Neha.- Plot :... |
Promo Editor |
| 2000 2000 in film The year 2000 in film involved some significant events.The top grosser worldwide was Mission: Impossible II. Domestically in North America, Gladiator won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor .... |
Mission Kashmir Mission Kashmir Mission Kashmir is a 2000 Bollywood film directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and starring Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta and Jackie Shroff as the main characters. Mission Kashmir follows the life and tragedy of a young boy named Altaaf after his entire family gets killed by... |
Editor |
| 2005 2005 in film - Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2005... |
Parineeta Parineeta (2005 film) Parineeta is a Bollywood musical film adaptation of the 1914 Bengali novella, Parineeta by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. Directed by debutant Pradeep Sarkar, the film was based upon a screenplay by the film's producer, Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The film featured Vidya Balan, Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt... |
Creative Producer |
| 2007 2005 in film - Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2005... |
Eklavya: The Royal Guard Eklavya: The Royal Guard Eklavya: The Royal Guard is a Bollywood film directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra which was released in India, the Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom on 16 February 2007.... |
Executive Producer |
Awards
For Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.
Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. is a 2003 Indian comedy directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The story involves protagonist Munna Bhai , a goon, going to medical school. He is helped by his sidekick, Circuit . It is the first film in the popular Munna Bhai series...
- 2004: National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome EntertainmentNational Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome EntertainmentThe National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment winners:1981 to 1984 and 1992, 1986 & 1977 No Award was given....
- 2004: Filmfare Critics Award for Best MovieFilmfare Critics Award for Best MovieThe Filmfare Awards are the oldest and most prominent film awards given for Hindi films in India. The yearly awards started in 1953. Movie awards were first given by popular vote...
- 2004: Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay
- 2004: IIFA Award for Best Editing
- 2004: IIFA Award for Best Screenplay
For Lage Raho Munna Bhai
Lage Raho Munna Bhai
Lage Raho Munna Bhai is a 2006 Indian musical comedy film directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. It is the second film in the popular Munna Bhai series of Bollywood. Sanjay Dutt stars in this film as Munna Bhai, a Mumbai underworld don, who begins to see the spirit of...
- 2007: National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome EntertainmentNational Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome EntertainmentThe National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment winners:1981 to 1984 and 1992, 1986 & 1977 No Award was given....
- 2007: National Film Award for Best ScreenplayNational Film Award for Best ScreenplayThe National Film Award for Best Screenplay winners:-References:...
- 2007: Filmfare Critics Award for Best MovieFilmfare Critics Award for Best MovieThe Filmfare Awards are the oldest and most prominent film awards given for Hindi films in India. The yearly awards started in 1953. Movie awards were first given by popular vote...
- 2007: Filmfare Best Story AwardFilmfare Best Story AwardThe Filmfare Award for Best Story is an given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a writer who wrote a film's story.-1950s:* 1955 Mukhram Sharma - Aulad...
- 2007: Filmfare Best Dialogue AwardFilmfare Best Dialogue AwardThe Filmfare Best Dialogue Award is given by the Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films. Here is a list of the award winners since 1958 and the films for which they won.-Superlatives:Most AwardsGulzar - 4...
- 2007: IIFA Award for Best Dialogue
- 2007: IIFA Award for Best Story
- 2007: Stardust Dream Director AwardStardust Dream Director AwardThe Stardust Dream Director Award is chosen by a distinguished jury as part of the annual Stardust Awards.Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won....
- 2007: Star Screen Award for Best Film
- 2007: Star Screen Award for Best StoryStar Screen Award for Best StoryThe winners of the Star Screen Awards for Best Story are listed below:-1990s:*1994 Krantiveer - K.K. Singh*1995 Param Vir Chakra - Ashok Kaul*1996 Maachis - Gulzar*1997 Virasat - Kamal Haasan*1998 Zakhm - Mahesh Bhatt...
- 2007: Star Screen Award for Best EditingStar Screen Award for Best Editing-1990s:*1994 Hum Aapke Hain Kaun - Mukhtar Ahmed*1995 Haqeeqat - Kuldeep Mohan*1996 Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin - Renu Saluja*1997 Virasat - N. Gopalakrishnan*1998 Soldier - Hussain A. Burmawala...
- 2007: Zee Cine Award for Best DialogueZee Cine Award for Best DialogueThe Zee Cine Award Best Dialogue is a technical award.The winners are listed below:-...
- 2007: Zee Cine Award for Best ScreenplayZee Cine Award for Best ScreenplayThe Zee Cine Award Best Screenplay is a technical award.The winners are listed below:-...
- 2007: Zee Cine Award for Best StoryZee Cine Award for Best StoryThe Zee Cine Award Best Story is a technical award.The winners are listed below:-...
- 2007: Global Indian Film AwardsGlobal Indian Film AwardsGlobal Indian Film Awards was an awards ceremony held between 2005 and 2007, conceptualized to acknowledge excellence in the Indian Film industry and honour artists in 23 categories across various genres, from acting to film making. It is held in a different country each year. 2005 in Dubai,...
for Best Film, Best Story, Best Dialogue - 2006: Broadcast India Awards for Excellence in Film & Television (part of the Broadcast India 2006 Exhibition & Symposium) - Best Director.
For 3 Idiots
- 2010: National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome EntertainmentNational Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome EntertainmentThe National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment winners:1981 to 1984 and 1992, 1986 & 1977 No Award was given....
- 2010: Filmfare Award for Best Director
- 2010: Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue
- 2010: Filmfare Award for Best Story
- 2010: Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay
- 2010: Star Screen Award for Best Director
- 2010: Star Screen Award for Best ScreenplayStar Screen Award for Best ScreenplayThe winners of the Star Screen Awards for Best Screenplay are listed below:...
- 2010: Star Screen Award for Best EditingStar Screen Award for Best Editing-1990s:*1994 Hum Aapke Hain Kaun - Mukhtar Ahmed*1995 Haqeeqat - Kuldeep Mohan*1996 Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin - Renu Saluja*1997 Virasat - N. Gopalakrishnan*1998 Soldier - Hussain A. Burmawala...
- 2010: Star Screen Award for Best DialogueStar Screen Award for Best DialogueThe winners of the Star Screen Awards for Best Dialogue are listed below:-See also:* Star Screen Awards* Bollywood* Cinema of India...
- 2010: IIFA Award for Best Editing
- 2010: IIFA Award for Best Dialogue
- 2010: IIFA Award for Best Screenplay
- 2010: IIFA Award for Best Story
- 2010: IIFA Award for Best Director
- 2011: Apsara Award for Special Honour For Films Of 2009 - Best Director
Nominations
- 2004: Star Screen Award for Best Director - Munnabhai MBBS
- 2004: Star Screen Award for Best EditingStar Screen Award for Best Editing-1990s:*1994 Hum Aapke Hain Kaun - Mukhtar Ahmed*1995 Haqeeqat - Kuldeep Mohan*1996 Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin - Renu Saluja*1997 Virasat - N. Gopalakrishnan*1998 Soldier - Hussain A. Burmawala...
- Munnabhai MBBS - 2004: Star Screen Award for Best ScreenplayStar Screen Award for Best ScreenplayThe winners of the Star Screen Awards for Best Screenplay are listed below:...
- Munnabhai MBBS - 2006: Global Indian Film Award for Best DirectorGIFA Best Director AwardHere is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won....
- Lage Raho Munnabhai - 2007: Filmfare Award for Best Director - Lage Raho Munnabhai
- 2007: Star Screen Award for Best Director - Lage Raho Munnabhai
- 2007: Star Screen Award for Best ScreenplayStar Screen Award for Best ScreenplayThe winners of the Star Screen Awards for Best Screenplay are listed below:...
- Lage Raho Munnabhai - 2007: Zee Cine Award for Best EditingZee Cine Award for Best EditingThe Zee Cine Award Best Editing is a technical award.The winners are listed below:-The Zee Cine Award Best Editing is a technical award.The winners are listed below:-The Zee Cine Award Best Editing is a technical award....
- Lage Raho Munnabhai - 2007: Zee Cine Award for Best Director - Lage Raho Munnabhai
- 2007: IIFA Award for Best Director - Lage Raho Munnabhai
- 2007: IIFA Award for Best Screenplay - Lage Raho Munnabhai
- 2010: Star Screen Award for Best StoryStar Screen Award for Best StoryThe winners of the Star Screen Awards for Best Story are listed below:-1990s:*1994 Krantiveer - K.K. Singh*1995 Param Vir Chakra - Ashok Kaul*1996 Maachis - Gulzar*1997 Virasat - Kamal Haasan*1998 Zakhm - Mahesh Bhatt...
- 3 Idiots - 2010: Stardust Award for Dream Director - 3 Idiots
Trivia
- He has appeared in the famous Fevicol advertisement called 'Dum Laga Ke Haisa'.
- He was part of one of early commerials of Luna Moped. You can see him in a safari suit coming out of a shop, riding his Luna telling - 'Chal Meri Luna'.