The only original Hindi movie in recent times, Munnabhai MBBS, is all set to be remade in Hollywood. The movie will be remade as Gangsta MD and will star Chris Tucker of Rush Hour fame. The movie will be directed by Mira Nair.

Munnabhai MBBS revolved around a gangster (played by Sunjay Dutt) who pretends to be a doctor whenever his parents land up to meet up. When his parents find out the truth and are disappointed in him, he tries to become a doctor. The rest is hilarious as he muscles his way into a medical college much to the chagrin of the hospital dean who tries his best to evict him. Munnabhai also falls in love with the Dean's daughter and spends all his time in the hospital traumatising the Dean. In the process, he makes him realise that there is more to being a doctor than just mastering techniques.

Munnabhai MBBS was a big hit in India and Indian communities abroad. The movie was even shown in a medical college in UK to medical students.

Mira Nair, the director, says that she plans to cast Indian actors from the original. Chris Tucker is currently shooting for Rush Hour 3. The filming of Gangster MD will start when after Tucker finishes shooting for Rush Hour 3.

But while the original was touchingly funny--the gangster was an immensly likeable goon with a heart of gold--one is not sure how well Chris Tucker will be able to pull off the role. Chris Tucker has usually been good in roles as a wise-cracking smart ass but one cannot visualise him as a good-hearted goon who raises important issues about the bedside manner of doctors and the importance of love in healing. Munnabhai does that without preaching and by being funny without being smart.

Then there is Meera Nair whose Monsoon Wedding was warm and touching but she has never attempted an out-and-out comedy. (Nair's other movies include Salaam Bombay!, Vanity Fair, Monsoon Wedding, and Mississippi Masala. Salaam Bombay! was nominated for an Academy Award for best foreign language film.)

Although Munnabhai raised some pertinent questions about healthcare as it is in India, it was still very India-specific. How will Mira Nair be able to make the movie relevant to the US without altering the basic alchemy of the story? On the face of it, it looks a little improbable that Gangsta MD will be able to capture the zany spontaneity that was Munnabhai MBBS.