Dunki Movie Review: Shah Rukh Khan Delivers a Heartfelt Tale of Dreams and Struggle

Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee, Vicky Kaushal, Boman Irani, Dia Mirza, Satish Shah, Anil Grover, and others.

Director: Rajkumar Hirani

Music: Aman Pant, Pritam

Cinematography: C.K. Muralidharan, Manush Nandan

Producers: Gauri Khan, Rajkumar Hirani, Jyoti Deshpande

Production Companies: Jio Studios, Red Chillies Entertainment, Rajkumar Hirani Films

Release Date: 21-12-2023

‘Dunki’ is the first collaboration between renowned Bollywood director Rajkumar Hirani and Shah Rukh Khan. Hirani’s direction in previous hits like ‘Munnabhai MBBS’, ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’, ‘3 Idiots’, ‘PK’, and ‘Sanju’ has been acclaimed. With Shah Rukh Khan already riding high on two super hits this year (‘Pathaan’, ‘Jawan’), expectations from ‘Dunki’ have soared. In this film, Taapsee pairs with Shah Rukh Khan, and a special appearance by Bollywood hero Vicky Kaushal adds to its appeal. Does the film deliver a hat-trick of successes for Shah Rukh Khan? Has director Hirani added another hit to his record? Let’s find out.

Story:

The story revolves around Mannu (Taapsee), Sukhi (Vicky Kaushal), Buggu (Vikram Kochhar), and Balli (Anil Grover) from a remote village in Punjab. Each battling their own problems, they decide to move to England. However, they lack the necessary education and funds for a visa. Enter Jawan Hardy Singh (Shah Rukh Khan), who decides to help them after understanding their plight. Despite numerous efforts, only one of them gets a visa. They decide to enter England illegally through ‘Dunky Travel’. What challenges do they face? Do they make it to England? That forms the crux of the story.

Performances:

‘Dunki’ reveals a new facet of Shah Rukh Khan’s acting prowess. He fits seamlessly into the role of Jawan Hardy Singh, making the audience laugh in the first half and moving them to tears in the second. Taapsee excels in the role of Mannu, evoking deep emotions in several scenes. Vicky Kaushal, in a pivotal role, leaves a mark despite limited screen time. The rest of the cast delivers solid performances within their roles.

Direction:

Director Rajkumar Hirani, like his previous films, weaves social themes and touching emotions into ‘Dunki’. He engages the audience in the adventurous journey of Dunky Travel, making them laugh and feel heavy-hearted. The family backgrounds of Mannu, Buggu, and Balli are portrayed touchingly. Hirani vividly depicts the plight of immigrants and the harsh realities of their lives abroad. The love story between Hardy and Mannu, especially in the climactic scenes, is heart-wrenching.

Technical Aspects:

On the technical front, the music and cinematography stand out. The lively song ‘Lut Put Gaya’ is a highlight of the film. Aman’s background score is captivating. Rajkumar Hirani not only excels as a director but also leaves his mark as an editor. The production values are high and evident throughout the film.

Plus Points:

• Performances of the cast
• Blend of humor and emotions
• Music

Minus Points:

• Pacing of some scenes
• Predictable plot and narration

Rating: 3/5