'Munnabhai 3' to go on floors early next year

Filmmaker Subash Kapoor, who has been roped in to direct the third instalment of "Munnabhai" franchise, says the film will go on the floors early next year.

"Right now, I am completely tied up with 'Jolly LLB' and after the film's release, we will start scripting for 'Munnabhai'. So most probably the film will go on the floors early next year," Kapoor told IANS.

The first two films - "Munnabhai M.B.B.S" and "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" - were directed by Rajkumar Hirani, who narrated the social satires with humour. Extraordinary performances by Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani made both the films entertaining and enlightening. They were super sccuessful films of 2003 and 2006 respectively.

Will the third film be titled "Munna Bhai Chale Delhi"?

"I don't know from where this 'Munna Bhai Chale Delhi' has come from. Nothing has been finalised yet. Once Raju Hirani gets free from 'Peekay', we will sit together and discuss the film.

"Right now only one thing has been finalised that I will be direct the film. Nothing more than that," he said and confirmed that "Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi will be part of the film."

"The leading lady will be finalised as the script shapes up."

Kapoor's "Jolly LLB." too stars Arshad, Boman along with Amrita Rao in the lead roles. Laced with humour, the film is a satire on the country's legal system. It is set to release March 15.