Hirani connects 3 Idiots sequel with Munna Bhai 3

• Rajkumar Hirani confirms a 3 Idiots sequel is in development
• The original cast including Aamir Khan is expected to return
• Production depends on the script meeting original film standards

Almost two decades after 3 Idiots made its way onto the list of most loved films in Indian cinema, director Rajkumar Hirani has shared a major update on its speculated

sequel. Hirani confirmed that he and his writing team are working on a story that could bring the characters back, but said the film will be made only if the script lives up to the high expectations set by the original. According to Hirani, the idea for the sequel came naturally while working on another story, and not as a sequel. 3 Idiots starred Aamir Khan, R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi.

Rajkumar Hirani confirms 3 Idiots sequel is in works

Work is underway on the much-awaited 3 Idiots sequel, but the filmmaker is in no rush to announce the details. Rajkumar Hirani told ANI, "We're working on it." He added that the team will discuss the project when it's at the "right stage". He also confirmed that the cast will be the same, hinting at the possibility that Aamir Khan, R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi will return as Rancho, Farhan and Raju.




"Once it reaches the right stage, we will talk about it," he said. But Hirani was clear that the project is still in the writing stage and there's no guarantee it will ever be made. "We will only proceed if the writing comes together... We will make it only if it comes through properly otherwise, we won't. This is a film which people have loved so much, and if we can't match it, then there's no point."

3 Idiots sequel happening just like Lage Raho Munna Bhai

Hirani reiterated that he was in no hurry just for the sake of it because the story came first. He explained his stance, citing the example of Lage Raho Munna Bhai. The same process was followed while making the sequel to Munna Bhai MBBS. "At that time, sequels were not the big commercial proposition that they are today," Hirani said. He had not planned to make Lage Raho Munna Bhai as a sequel in the first place. He was working on a different story about Mahatma Gandhi and non-violence when he felt the concept suited better with the characters from Munna Bhai MBBS.

The film later came to be called Lage Raho Munna Bhai, with Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi returning to their iconic roles.

3 Idiots sequel idea came out of the story

The same thing happened with 3 Idiots, said Hirani. While developing a story with writer Abhijat Joshi, the filmmakers felt that the material would suit the characters from 3 Idiots. "It wasn't about the sequel, it was about the story, these characters and what happens in their lives 20 years later."

That timeline could allow exploring where Rancho, Farhan and Raju are as adults and how their lives have changed since the events of the original. The important thing, Hirani suggested, is that the team did not start with the question of how to make another 3 Idiots film. Instead, the characters grew organically as the right vehicles for the story they were crafting.

Same cast expected to be back

One of the biggest takeaways from Hirani's comments is that the sequel is expected to hold on to the original principal cast. The 2009 film featured Aamir Khan as Rancho, R Madhavan as Farhan Qureshi, Sharman Joshi as Raju Rastogi and Kareena Kapoor Khan as Pia. The popular ensemble also featured Boman Irani and Omi Vaidya.

Hirani confirmed "the casting will be the same," which is likely to fuel speculation about the return of the original actors, though the filmmaker is yet to announce the full cast or shed light on the characters' storylines.

Hirani shares update on Munna Bhai 3

Interesting that 3 Idiots is not the only popular Hirani franchise that people talk about. "I'm still writing Munna Bhai part three," the filmmaker said. The reason, he explained, why a third instalment has not materialised over the years is simply that the team has not found the right script. "If there's a film that people have loved that much and we can't do it justice with a sequel, then there's no point," he said.

Hirani's last movie was Dunki in 2023, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu and others.