Rajkumar Hirani facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rajkumar Hirani
Hirani in 2014
Born	(1962-11-20) 20 November 1962 (age 62) Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Other names	Raju
Alma mater	Film and Television Institute of India
Occupation	Film director film producer screenwriter film editor film distributor
Years active	1993–present
Spouse(s)	Manjeet Hirani
Children	Vir Hirani
Awards	Full list

Rajkumar "Raju" Hirani (born on November 20, 1962) is a famous Indian filmmaker. He is well-known for his amazing work in Hindi films. He has won many awards, including four National Film Awards and 11 Filmfare Awards. Many people consider Hirani one of the most successful filmmakers in Indian cinema. His movies are often fun and lighthearted. However, they also talk about important societal issues using humor and smart ideas.

Hirani started his career as a film editor. He studied editing at the FTII. After a tough start, he began making successful TV ads. His first job as a professional film editor was for the movie Mission Kashmir (2000). Hirani always wanted to direct films. He took a break and wrote the script for a comedy-drama called Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.. He asked Vidhu Vinod Chopra for help to make it. The film was a huge success with both critics and audiences. It won a National Film Award and a Filmfare Award. Hirani also won an award for his screenplay and was nominated for Best Director.

After Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., he directed its sequel, Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006). This film became the second-highest-earning movie of that year. His next film was the coming-of-age comedy-drama 3 Idiots (2009). It became the highest-earning Indian film at that time. Both movies won National Film Awards. 3 Idiots also won Filmfare Awards for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. His next movie, the science fiction religious satire PK (2014), also became the highest-earning Indian film of its time. The biographical comedy-drama Sanju (2018) was based on the life of actor Sanjay Dutt. It also did very well with critics and at the box office. Both PK and Sanju were nominated for top Filmfare Awards. Hirani founded his own production company, Rajkumar Hirani Films. His most recent film, Dunki, starring Shah Rukh Khan, was released in December 2023.

Rajkumar Hirani's Early Life and Education

Hirani was born on November 20, 1962, in Nagpur. He comes from a Sindhi family. His family originally lived in a city called Mehrabpur, which is now in Pakistan. His father, Suresh Hirani, ran a typing school in Nagpur. Rajkumar went to St. Francis De'Sales High School, Nagpur, Maharashtra. He studied commerce in college. His parents hoped he would become an engineer. However, Rajkumar was much more interested in theatre and films.

During his college days, he was very involved in Hindi theatre. He spent a lot of time with friends from Nagpur's medical college, doing plays there. His father took his photos and sent him to an acting school in Mumbai. But Rajkumar did not feel comfortable there and returned to Nagpur after just three days. His father then suggested he apply to the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. The acting course was closed, and it was hard to get into the directing course because so many people applied. So, Hirani chose the film editing course instead. He even earned a scholarship for it.

Rajkumar Hirani's Career Journey

Starting Out in Films and Ads (1994–2000)

Rajkumar Hirani worked as a film editor for several years. After some difficult experiences, he decided to try making television advertisements. He soon became a successful director and producer of ad films. You might have even seen him in a famous Fevicol ad! In that ad, men and elephants tried to break a Fevicol plank, saying "Jor laga ke Haisha." He also appeared in ads for Kinetic Luna.

Even though he was doing well in advertising, he still dreamed of making movies. So, he took a break from ads and started working with filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra. He helped create promos and trailers for Chopra's film 1942: A Love Story (1994). He also edited promotions for Chopra's movie Kareeb (1998). His first big chance as a film editor came with Chopra's action drama Mission Kashmir (2000).

Directing His First Hit Movies (2003–2009)

Hirani receiving the Bharat Asmita National Award in 2007

Hirani made his first movie as a director with the comedy-drama Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003). It starred Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani, Gracy Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill, and Sunil Dutt. This was the first film in the Munna Bhai series. It was about a kind-hearted gangster named Munna Bhai (played by Sanjay Dutt) who goes to medical school. His loyal friend, Circuit (played by Arshad Warsi), helps him. Critics loved the film, especially Hirani's directing and writing. It was a big success at the box office, earning about 330 million Indian Rupees worldwide. It was the eighth highest-earning Hindi film of 2003. Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. It also won the Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics). Hirani won his first Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay and was nominated for Best Director.

In 2006, Hirani directed the second Munna Bhai movie, called Lage Raho Munna Bhai. It brought back some of the original actors like Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, and Boman Irani. Vidya Balan joined as the main female lead. This film became Hirani's highest-earning movie at that time. It made about 1.2 billion Indian Rupees worldwide. It was the third highest-earning film of 2006. Like the first movie, it won Hirani his second National Film Award for Best Popular Film. He also won his second Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics). He won his first Filmfare Award for Best Story and Best Dialogue, and was nominated for Best Director again.

Achieving Huge Success (2009–Present)

Hirani at the 41st International Film Festival in 2010

Hirani's next movie was the coming-of-age comedy-drama 3 Idiots (2009). It was inspired by the novel Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat. The movie featured a great cast, including Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, and Boman Irani. It followed the friendship of three engineering students. The film was a funny look at the pressures students face in the Indian education system. 3 Idiots was highly praised by critics. It became the highest-earning Indian film ever at that time, making about 4.60 billion Indian Rupees worldwide. Hirani won his third National Film Award for Best Popular Film. He also won his first Filmfare Award for Best Film and Best Director. He received his second Filmfare Award for Best Story and Best Screenplay. 3 Idiots made Hirani one of the most important filmmakers in Hindi cinema.

After a five-year break, Hirani directed the science fiction satirical comedy drama PK (2014). When it was released, the film received positive reviews. People praised Aamir Khan's acting and the movie's humor. PK was nominated for 8 awards at the 60th Filmfare Awards and won two. It also won five Producers Guild Film Awards and two Screen Awards. PK won the Telstra People's Choice Award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. Made with a budget of about 850 million Indian Rupees, PK was the first Indian film to earn more than 7 billion Indian Rupees worldwide. At the time, it became the highest-earning Indian film of all time. It is still one of the highest-earning Indian films today.

He also directed the biographical drama Sanju (2018). The film tells the story of actor Sanjay Dutt, who is one of Hirani's close friends. It shows his life, his relationship with his father, and his journey in the film industry. The movie received good reviews from critics. Many praised Ranbir Kapoor's acting, who played Sanjay Dutt. Sanju earned about 5.86 billion Indian Rupees worldwide. It became the highest-earning Hindi film of 2018. It is also one of the highest-earning Indian films ever. Sanju received seven nominations at the 64th Filmfare Awards, including Best Film and Best Director for Hirani. It won two awards: Best Actor for Ranbir Kapoor and Best Supporting Actor for Vicky Kaushal.

Hirani directed Dunki (2023), a comedy-drama film about immigration. He produced it himself along with Red Chillies Entertainment. He also wrote the film with Abhijat Joshi.

Rajkumar Hirani's Unique Filmmaking Style

Hirani in 2012

Rajkumar Hirani's films often explore important social issues. These include dreams of the middle class, making improvements, believing in yourself, and relationships. He presents these topics with lots of humour and strong feelings. Hirani edits all his own films. He has said that he enjoys editing more than anything else. Film critic Rajeev Masand once wrote that Hirani's films remind him of old movies by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. They show the importance of being good and kind. Hirani himself says that Mukherjee's Anand (1971) is his favorite film.

Let's look at what some of his movies are about:

• Munna Bhai MBBS (2003) talks about problems in hospitals and how doctors sometimes act.
• Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) explores Mahatma Gandhi's ideas and how to change people with kindness.
• 3 Idiots (2009) discusses the education system, the pressure on students for good grades, and following your true passion.
• PK (2014) looks at religion and false beliefs.
• Sanju (2018) focuses on relationships and how the media can sometimes be unfair.

Film critic Komal Nahta called Hirani "a magician more than a director." He said that Hirani tells complex stories with such care that they become masterpieces.

All of Hirani's films until Sanju were co-produced by Vinod Chopra Films. After Sanju, they decided to work separately due to creative differences. Hirani had edited one of Chopra's films, Mission Kashmir (2000). Hirani has worked with writer Abhijat Joshi since Lage Raho Munna Bhai. He also often casts the same actors in his movies. Sanjay Dutt has worked with Hirani on three films, and one film is even based on Dutt's life. Aamir Khan has worked with Hirani on two films. Boman Irani has appeared in important supporting roles in all of Hirani's films.

Many successful filmmakers praise Hirani's unique style. Director Karan Johar said, "I am envious of Rajkumar Hirani. I've never managed to do what he does. His movies have genius ideas." Director Anurag Kashyap called him the bravest filmmaker. He said that Hirani makes his subjects effective for the audience without overdoing it. SS Rajamouli, the director of Baahubali: The Beginning, said he is a huge fan of Hirani's films. He even said he "cannot make one scene the way [Rajkumar] Hirani does." Screenwriter Javed Akhtar also praised Hirani. He said, "To make such kind of films, you not only have to be a really good director or writer, you have to be really a good human being as well."

Rajkumar Hirani's Personal Life

Rajkumar Hirani married Manjeet Hirani in 1994. She is a pilot for Air India. They have a son named Vir Hirani, who is also studying filmmaking.

Rajkumar Hirani's Filmography

Awards and Nominations

Box Office Success

Here's a look at how much some of Rajkumar Hirani's films earned worldwide. The numbers are estimates from various film websites.