Hyderabad, Nov 17 (PTI): The work on the next installment of Munnabhai franchise would start once the actor Sanjay Dutt is released from prison, Bollwood director Rajkumar Hirani said here today.

"Yes. At some stage. Right now Munna Bhai (Dutt) is not there. Whenever Munnabhai comes back, we will make a film," Hirani told reporters at the International Children's Film Festival of India here.

"It is being written. It is too early to discuss subjects," said Hirani, one of the most successful directors of his generation, when asked what would the new Munnabhai film focus on.

Dutt is serving prison sentence in 1993 Mumbai blasts case. 'Munnabhai MBBS' and 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai', both starring Dutt, were big hits.

Talking about children's films, Hirani said as films were market-driven, there is limited space for children's films.

But it would help if the government took some initiatives, such as setting up theatres exclusively for children's movies, he said.

Schools can make filmmaking a part of curriculum, Hirani suggested.

When asked if he himself ever thought of making a film only for children, he said, "I never had the idea to make a children film. But after having seen so many children here, I want to make one."

'Return Gift', directed by Hirani's son Vir, premiered at the festival today.