Warm laughs, soft pangs, and a pinch of masala: that’s Rajkumar Hirani - serving up Bollywood’s most edible comfort since 2003.

Ever bitten into a reheated samosa at 2am? Oddly satisfying, right? For the urban Indian, Rajkumar Hirani’s films do something similar. They aren’t fancy fusion - think of them as soft dal-chawal for the soul, dressed up with a wink and a heartfelt hug. Munna Bhai’s “jadoo ki jhappi” is nearly as iconic as butter chicken in this country.

Sincerity with a Sprinkle of Sass

Aamir Khan as Rancho in  Rajkumar Hirani’s ‘3 Idiots’

Here’s the thing: Hirani doesn’t make “message movies” - he makes stories that just sneak up on you. Like catching yourself humming the tune to “Give Me Some Sunshine” during a rainstorm. His method? Hug humor tight, lace it with “baap re baap” emotion, and never - almost never - turn preachy. He once confessed, over pyaaz kachori at a Kolkata event, “Cinema is like food. Some crave the same, others want variety”. Script-to-screen, you get the idea: chapati for some, dhokla for others, but everyone’s welcome at the table.

3 Idiots

Turning the Mundane into Must-Watch

Munna Bhai MBBS

Have you ever noticed how his heroes are never larger-than-life musclemen? Munna (Sanjay Dutt), Rancho (Aamir Khan), PK (Aamir again) - they’re oddballs, a little lost, much like, well, us. There’s always that one bumbling friend, that hapless teacher, or a sneaky bum who delivers life’s lesson with a burst of laughter. His “LCD formula” (Laughter, Crying, Drama), renowned in industry circles and bragged about by Hirani himself, ensures every five minutes or so, there’s a curveball: either a giggle, a sniffle, or gasp.

Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)

Subtly revolutionary, right? Maybe that’s why aunties, college kids, and Uber drivers can all swap lines from 3 Idiots - no subtitles needed. His work walks the tightrope between cheeky satire and genuine affection for the Great Indian Family (the real one, full of cranky uncles and missed calls).

Rajkumari Hirani and Aamir Khan on the sets of PK

Emotional Rescues and Real People

Unlike a lot of contemporary Bollywood, which is busier remixing 90s tracks than stirring emotions, Hirani is loyal to his small-town roots. He believes the best stories and laughs are plucked straight from life’s street corners, not just multiplexes. Even his editing style, hands-on and precise, slices out the fat but keeps every morsel flavorful. Maybe that’s why - shhhh!n- even the most cynical moviegoer weeps at Sanju’s father-son scenes.

Rajkumari Hirani with Abhijat Joshi

Oh, and his friend Abhijat Joshi? Their writing jams are legendary. Tears, improv, debates over chai - each script is kneaded and proofed, not machine-cut.

He’s just turned 63, and with the release of “Dunki” in 2023 and new tales that are brewing, Hirani’s not hanging up the apron yet.

In a world of flashy, fleeting blockbusters, Hirani remains Bollywood’s ultimate comfort cook - serving warmth, wit, and a dash of normalcy. Wishing a very Happy Birthday!