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	1991–present
Spouse(s)	Manjeet Hirani
Children	Vir Hirani
Awards	Full list

Rajkumar "Raju" Hirani (born 20 November 1962) is a famous Indian filmmaker. He is well-known for directing movies in Hindi cinema. He has won many important awards, including four National Film Awards and 11 Filmfare Awards. Many people consider Hirani to be one of the most successful filmmakers in Indian cinema.

His movies are often funny and lighthearted. However, they also talk about important social problems in a smart and caring way. Rajkumar Hirani started his career as a film editor after studying at the FTII. After some challenges, he began making successful TV commercials. His first job as a professional film editor was for the movie Mission Kashmir (2000).

Hirani really wanted to direct films. He took a break and wrote the script for the comedy-drama Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.. He asked Vidhu Vinod Chopra for help to make it, and Chopra agreed. When the movie came out in 2003, it was a big hit with both critics and audiences. It won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Hirani also won the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay for it.

After Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., he directed its sequel, Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006). This movie was the second-highest earning film that year. His next film, the comedy-drama 3 Idiots (2009), became the highest-earning Indian film at that time. Both films won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film. 3 Idiots also won him the Filmfare Award for Best Film and Best Director.

His movie PK (2014) was a science fiction comedy that also became the highest-earning Indian film of its time. Then came the biographical comedy-drama Sanju (2018), which was about the life of actor Sanjay Dutt. This film was also very successful. Both PK and Sanju are among the highest-earning Bollywood films in India. Rajkumar Hirani also started his own production company called Rajkumar Hirani Films. In 2019, he directed a short film about Mahatma Gandhi for his 150th birthday. Many famous actors appeared in it. His latest film, Dunki, starring Shah Rukh Khan, was released in December 2023.

Early Life and Education

Rajkumar Hirani was born on 20 November 1962 in Nagpur, India. His family was Sindhi Hindu. His father, Suresh Hirani, ran a typing school in Nagpur. Rajkumar went to St. Francis De'Sales High School, Nagpur, Maharashtra and studied commerce in college. His parents hoped he would become an engineer, but he was 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 sent his photos to an acting school in Mumbai. However, Rajkumar didn't like it and returned to Nagpur after just three days. His father then suggested he apply to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. The acting course was closed, and the directing course had too many applicants. So, Hirani chose the film editing course and even earned a scholarship.

Career Highlights

Early Work in Films and Ads

Hirani worked as a film editor for several years. After some difficult experiences, he decided to try television advertising. He slowly became a successful director and producer of ad films. You might have seen him in a Fevicol ad where people and elephants tried to break a plank, saying "Jor laga ke Haisha." He also appeared in a Kinetic Luna ad.

Even though he was doing well in advertising, he still wanted to make movies. He took a break from ads and started working with Vidhu Vinod Chopra. He helped create promos and trailers for Chopra's films like 1942: A Love Story (1994) and Kareeb (1998). His first chance to be a film editor for a full movie was with Chopra's action drama Mission Kashmir (2000).

Directing His First Big Hits

Hirani winning the Bharat Asmita National Award in 2007

Rajkumar Hirani directed his first movie, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., in 2003. It was a comedy-drama starring Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, and Boman Irani. The story was about a kind-hearted gangster named Munna Bhai who decides to go to medical school. His friend Circuit helps him. The movie received great reviews and 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. Hirani also won his first Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay for this film.

In 2006, Hirani directed the second movie in the Munna Bhai series, called Lage Raho Munna Bhai. Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, and Boman Irani returned, and Vidya Balan joined the cast. This film became Hirani's highest-earning movie at that time, making 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 Filmfare Awards for Best Story and Best Dialogue.

Continued Success and New Projects

Hirani at the 41st International Film Festival in 2010

Hirani's next film was the comedy-drama 3 Idiots (2009). It was inspired by the novel Five Point Someone. The movie starred Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, and Boman Irani. It followed the story of three engineering students and made fun of the pressures in the Indian education system. 3 Idiots was loved by critics and became the highest-earning Indian film ever at that time, making about 4.60 billion Indian Rupees globally. Hirani won his third National Film Award for Best Popular Film, and his first Filmfare Award for Best Film and Best Director for 3 Idiots. This movie made him one of the most important filmmakers in Hindi cinema.

After a five-year break, Hirani directed the science fiction comedy-drama PK (2014). The film received good reviews, especially for Aamir Khan's acting and its humor. PK was made with a budget of about 850 million Indian Rupees. It was the first Indian film to earn more than 7 billion Indian Rupees worldwide. It became the highest-earning Indian film of all time when it was released. As of 2025, it is the 5th highest-earning Indian film worldwide.

He also directed the biographical drama Sanju (2018). This film told the story of actor Sanjay Dutt's life, including his struggles and his journey in the film industry. The movie received positive reviews, and Ranbir Kapoor's acting as Sanjay Dutt was highly praised. Sanju earned about 5.86 billion Indian Rupees worldwide. It was the highest-earning Hindi film of 2018 and is one of the highest-earning Indian films ever.

Hirani's most recent film is Dunki (2023), a comedy-drama about immigration. He produced and wrote the film with Abhijat Joshi. It stars Shah Rukh Khan.

Rajkumar Hirani and his writing partner, Abhijat Joshi, have won the IIFA Award for Best Dialogue three times. This is the most any writing team has won, showing how much their writing has impacted Hindi cinema.

In 2025, Rajkumar Hirani started working on his first long digital series for Disney+ Hotstar, called Trojan. It stars Vikrant Massey and Arshad Warsi as two police officers. Hirani is also writing his next movie with Vicky Kaushal, which is expected to start filming in 2026. He is also developing a movie about Indian cricket legend Lala Amarnath. There are also talks about a new Munna Bhai movie.

Rajkumar Hirani Films is also helping new actors, writers, and directors get started in the film industry. This program helps new talent from all over India. Hirani is also talking with Aamir Khan about a new film, which would be their third movie together. As of 2025, they are working on a movie about Dadasaheb Phalke, who is known as the father of Indian cinema. This movie is planned for release in late 2026. It will use advanced computer graphics to show India in the early 1900s. There are also rumors that Rajkumar Hirani, Aamir Khan, and Abhijat Joshi are thinking about a sequel to PK, called PK 2.

Style and Themes

Hirani in 2012

Rajkumar Hirani's films often explore important social topics. These include people's dreams, making changes, believing in yourself, and relationships. He tells these stories with lots of humour and deep feelings. Hirani edits all his own films and says he enjoys editing more than anything else. Film critic Rajeev Masand once wrote that Hirani's films, like old movies by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, remind us about the importance of being good and kind. Hirani himself says Mukherjee's film Anand (1971) is his favorite.

Here's how his films deal with different topics:

• 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 kindness can change people.
• 3 Idiots (2009) looks at the education system, the pressure on students, and following your true passions.
• PK (2014) discusses religion and superstitions.
• 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" after watching Sanju. He said Hirani tells complex stories with such care that they become masterpieces.

Hirani's films were co-produced by Vinod Chopra Films until Sanju. After that, they decided to work separately. 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 movies.

Many other famous directors admire Rajkumar Hirani's unique style. Director Karan Johar said he is "envious of Rajkumar Hirani" because he makes movies with "genius ideas" and "strong screenplays." Director Anurag Kashyap called him the bravest filmmaker. SS Rajamouli, who directed Baahubali: The Beginning, said he is a huge fan of Hirani's films and cannot make even one scene as well as Hirani does. Screenwriter Javed Akhtar also praised Hirani, saying that to make such good films, you need to be a good director, writer, and a good human being.

Personal Life

Rajkumar Hirani married Manjeet Hirani, who is a pilot for Air India, in 1994. They have a son named Vir Hirani. Vir is also interested in filmmaking and is making his acting debut in a play called 'Letters from Suresh'. People in the film industry often describe Hirani as a very friendly and helpful person. They say he finds it hard to say no to requests, which shows how humble and kind he is.

Filmography

Awards and Nominations

Box Office Success

Here's a look at how much Rajkumar Hirani's films have earned. The amounts are estimates from various film websites.