There were a couple of great takeaways I got from this film. The first was a description of Munna Bhai's (Sanjay Dutt) real profession as a gangster - that of a 'loan default prevention specialist'. I think the Mafia could learn something about softening their strong arm approach by using a term like that. The other idea that came across rather successfully was the concept of a Magic Hug. That was reinforced a few times throughout the story for a positive effect.

Other reviewers here on IMDb mention the American film "Patch Adams" as the basis for the story line in this picture, but not having seen it, the thought that came to my mind was another Hindi film, " 3 Idiots". In that picture, the message that came across was about believing in one's self and doing what you really want to do with your life. In this one, Murli Prasad 'Munna Bhai' Sharma is shamed by his past and decides to make his family proud by becoming a doctor instead of pretending to be one. Additionally, as regards "3Idiots", there's also the conflicted relationship between Murli and the dean of his medical colllege, who's daughter serves as a romantic interest for the ex-gangster.

The film's best moments appear whenever Murli's unorthodox, humanistic and compassionate side reveals itself, as in his treatment of the near comatose wheelchair patient Anand (Yatin Karyekar). His ability to make friends with everyone he comes in contact with serves him well when the Dean attempts to formally rusticate him from medical school. You know there was only one way for this story to end, and it does, with plenty of magic hugs to go around.

Munna Bhai is the leader of a kidnapping gang in Mumbai. In order to make his father proud, he told him that he's a medical doctor. When his parents visit, he turns his compound into a fake hospital and pretends to be the head doctor. His father is an honorable man from the country who treats even a pickpocket with kindness. His father runs into old acquaintance Dr. Asthana who once upon a time treated their village. The parents decide to bring together Munna with Asthana's daughter Chinki who is also a doctor. Asthana outs Munna's deception and his father is humiliated. Munna decides to go to medical school for real where he is met by the disbelieving dean Dr. Asthana and Chinki although unknowingly by her real name Dr. Suman.

This is funny. It's got heart. It's Bollywood. Early on, it demonstrates both comedy and tragedy. When the mother asks Munna if he's actually a doctor, my heart almost broke. The emotional scene is devastating. Then the movie turns into Patch Adams goes to Medical School. I do have issues with some of his actions although leeway must be given since his character is a goon. Comedy in a foreign language can often be problematic. About half is lost in translation but the general sense of humor is never lost. One problem does stick. There's no denying the two decade age difference between Sanjay Dutt and Gracy Singh. Older men and younger women have been staples in cinema forever and I'm not objecting to that. It's a matter of logic since Munna and Chinki are supposed to be childhood friends who played doctor together. Either lose that past history or get an older actress. It doesn't make sense. Overall, this is the most fun Bollywood movie I've seen.

Munna has spent the last decade trying to pretend to his parents that he's a responsible doctor. However, he's actually a gangster. When they find out the truth, he decides to go to medical school and does. Out of the blue, the previously evil Munna suddenly notices how dispassionate and love-deprived the medical school and hospital are--so he begins doing everything he can to change the place. And, oddly, he begins calling everyone 'dude' and talking like a surfer.

"Munna Bhai MBBS" is a film that has way too much in it. Now I know that it was popular in India...so the filmmakers made the right choices for this movie. But outside of India, I can't see the film doing as well because it actually looks like about five films shoved into one! IMDb says it's a remake of "Patch Adams"....and much of the movie is also like that. But there's also a lot of Rodney Dangerfield's "Back to School", a gangster film, "Animal House" as well as, of all things, a Pauly Shore picture! A great example of too much--and a tighter focus could have made the film great. As it is, it's fun and very enjoyable but also very slight--when it should have been profound.