A rare Bollywood sequel to a blockbuster comedy about a lovable thug opens on Friday, reviving the pranks of the gangster who must dodge barbs from independence icon Mahatma Gandhi this time to win his ladylove.

One of the most-eagerly awaited films of the year, Lage Raho Munnabhai, is the sequel to the 2003 superhit Munnabhai MBBS, the story of a Mumbai mobster who pretends to be a doctor and for whom laughter is the only medicine.

In Lage Raho Sanjay Dutt is recast as ‘Munnabhai', who spends his days by the radio because he is in love with one of the presenters.

The beautiful radio jockey is also smitten by Munnabhai's rustic charm, but there is a small problem - she thinks the gangster is a history professor.

As Munnabhai, the illiterate, foul-mouthed goon, tries to sort out the problem, he comes face to face with a figure from history - Indian independence movement leader Mahatma Gandhi.

The two wrestle over their philosophies while the mobster tries to woo his love.

Munnabhai MBBS is being made into a Hollywood film called Gangsta MD starring Chris Tucker.

Sequels, more so of comedy films, are rare in Bollywood.

Bollywood analysts feel Lage Raho seemed to have a success formula at hand.

"The advance bookings have been phenomenal and cinema halls have been inundated with inquiries for block bookings," a film industry analyst said.