Rajkumar Hirani has directed six feature films: Munna Bhai MBBS (2003), Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006), 3 Idiots (2009), PK (2014), Sanju (2018) and Dunki (2023). Each was a commercial success, and most mix humour with a social message. His next film, a reported Dadasaheb Phalke biopic with Aamir Khan, has no announced release date yet.
Born on 20 November 1962 in Nagpur, Hirani studied film editing at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. He worked as an editor and in advertising before Vidhu Vinod Chopra gave him his first editing job on Mission Kashmir (2000). Here is a look at all six of his films, updated for 2026.
Rajkumar Hirani movies: quick facts
| Film | Year | Lead actor | Core theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Munna Bhai MBBS | 2003 | Sanjay Dutt | Compassion in medicine |
| Lage Raho Munna Bhai | 2006 | Sanjay Dutt | Gandhian values |
| 3 Idiots | 2009 | Aamir Khan | Pressure in education |
| PK | 2014 | Aamir Khan | Blind faith and godmen |
| Sanju | 2018 | Ranbir Kapoor | Biopic of Sanjay Dutt |
| Dunki | 2023 | Shah Rukh Khan | Illegal migration |
1. Munna Bhai MBBS (2003)
Hirani’s debut cast Sanjay Dutt as Murli Prasad Sharma, a Mumbai gangster who enters medical college to please his parents. With his sidekick Circuit, played by Arshad Warsi, he ends up teaching doctors that kindness matters as much as skill.
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The film gave Hindi cinema the “jaadu ki jhappi”, or magic hug, and won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. It also gave Sanjay Dutt’s career a strong second wind.
2. Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)
The sequel has Munna seeing visions of Mahatma Gandhi after studying his life to impress a radio jockey, played by Vidya Balan. He starts solving people’s problems with truth and non-violence, which the film calls “Gandhigiri”.
The word caught on across India, and the film brought Gandhian ideas to a young audience in a light way. It too won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film.
3. 3 Idiots (2009)
3 Idiots follows three engineering students, played by Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi, at a top college. It questions rote learning, marks-driven pressure and parents choosing careers for their children.
Lines such as “All is well” became part of everyday speech. The film was the third Hirani title to win the National Film Award for Best Popular Film, and it is still widely rewatched on television and streaming.
4. PK (2014)
In PK, Aamir Khan plays an alien who lands in Rajasthan, loses the device he needs to go home and tries to find God to help him. Anushka Sharma plays a TV journalist who helps him. Through his innocent questions, the film criticises people who exploit faith for money.
The film drew protests from some groups but became one of the highest grossing Hindi films of its time. Hirani also co-produced it with Vidhu Vinod Chopra.
5. Sanju (2018)
Sanju is a biopic of Sanjay Dutt, the actor Hirani had worked with on both Munna Bhai films. Ranbir Kapoor plays Dutt across several phases of his life, with Paresh Rawal as Sunil Dutt and Vicky Kaushal as his friend Kamlesh.
It was a departure from Hirani’s satire, though it kept his warm style. Ranbir Kapoor’s performance was widely praised, and the film was a major box office hit.
6. Dunki (2023)
Dunki was Hirani’s first film with Shah Rukh Khan. It follows Hardy, an ex-soldier, and a group of friends from a Punjab town who try to reach England, first legally and then through the dangerous “donkey route” used by illegal migrants. Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal and Boman Irani co-star.
The film released in theatres on 21 December 2023 to mixed reviews and grossed an estimated Rs 470 crore worldwide, according to figures compiled on Wikipedia. It began streaming on Netflix on 15 February 2024.
What is Rajkumar Hirani doing next?
Hirani’s next feature is reported to be a biopic of Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, with Aamir Khan. The Week reported in January 2026 that the shoot plan was pushed back for script revisions, and Bollywood Hungama reported that the team was in no rush to start. No release date has been announced.
He is also reported to be making his streaming debut as a showrunner with a crime comedy series starring Vikrant Massey and Arshad Warsi for JioHotstar, formerly Disney+ Hotstar. Munna Bhai 3 has been discussed for years, but there is no confirmed production date. Follow our entertainment section for updates and our people section for more film-maker profiles.
Why Hirani’s films work
- Simple stories, big ideas: each film takes one social problem and builds a relatable story around it.
- Humour first: serious themes come wrapped in comedy, which widens the audience.
- Long writing process: Hirani, often with co-writer Abhijat Joshi, is known for spending years on scripts.
- Memorable characters: Munna, Circuit, Rancho, Virus and PK are still widely quoted.
Frequently asked questions
How many movies has Rajkumar Hirani directed?
Six: Munna Bhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots, PK, Sanju and Dunki.
What is Rajkumar Hirani’s next movie?
Reports say it is a Dadasaheb Phalke biopic starring Aamir Khan. Its shoot schedule shifted in 2026 and no release date has been announced.
Which is Rajkumar Hirani’s best film?
Opinions vary, but 3 Idiots and Lage Raho Munna Bhai are most often named as his best, both for their stories and their lasting cultural impact.
How old is Rajkumar Hirani?
He was born on 20 November 1962, so he turns 64 in November 2026.
Sources: Wikipedia: Rajkumar Hirani, Wikipedia: Dunki, The Week, January 2026.
