The 'topless item number' in 'Lage Raho Munnabhai'

Nov 21, 2014 NR

'Lage Raho Munnabhai' makers Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani jokingly pitched Gandhiji as 'topless item number' before potential distributors.

Admitting they suffered from anxiety about making a film about Mahatma Gandhi, the makers of 2006 blockbuster "Lage Rago Munnabhai" said they had even jokingly pitched the character of Gandhi as a "topless item number" to potential distributors, who were worried about losing their money over the project.

"Lage Rago Munnabhai" director Rajkumar Hirani and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra said this at a discussion on the legacy of Richard Attenborough at the 45th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

Chopra explained how the anxious film distributors came up to him, with a suggestion to include an 'item number' in the film that gave a contemporary twist to Gandhian philosophy.

"So when we were making the film, the distributors were very scared because they were wondering 'what are these guys doing with Gandhi?'".

"I remember them clearly coming up to me and say, 'hope you have included an item number, to ensure that our investment is safe'. I said yes... (there's) an absolutely good item. The item runs through the film", Chopra said, before Hirani completed the story for him.

"He (Chorpa) actually said 'topless item hai'", Hirani said, to peals of laughter in the audience.

Mahatma Gandhi was known to wear only a dhoti with the torso bare. Click the Movie button below for more info:
Lage Raho Munnabhai