Won't do 'Munna Bhai' film without Sanjay: Arshad

Mumbai, May 18 (IANS) Actor Arshad Warsi, who played Circuit in the "Munna Bhai" films with Sanjay Dutt essaying the lead role, says he won't do any new film in the popular franchise without the real "Munna Bhai".

He says neither can he, nor will audiences be able to see anybody else in the role instead of Sanjay, who is currently in jail serving his sentence in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.

"I can't (work in the film without Sanjay) because for that character, you can't think of any other person now. That character has a definite structure and a definite personality that matches a lot with that of Sanju's personality," Arshad said here Friday on the sidelines of the DVD launch of his last release "Jolly LLB".

"I think somewhere down the line, our audience has enjoyed Sanju (in the film) and they are stuck with him. They will not be able to see anybody. Neither can I imagine anybody else," added the 45-year-old.

The first two "Munna Bhai" films - "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S" (2003) and "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" (2006) featured Sanjay and Arshad. These movies, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, made their characters iconic. A third "Munna Bhai" film was in the pipelines, but the makers have put it on hold until Sanjay comes out of prison.

The actor surrendered Thursday, after being convicted in 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case. He has to complete his jail term of three-and-a half years.