Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani collaborated on the social comedy-drama Dunki. The movie, which revolves around the concept of illegal immigration, has generated significant interest among audiences due to the involvement of two major forces in Indian cinema. The film's clash with Salaar has heightened anticipation for its release.
What Is The Story Of Dunki?
Manu (played by Taapsee), Bali (Anil Grover), Buggy Lakhanpal (Vikram Kochhar), and Sukhi (Vicky Kaushal), who hail from Laltu, Punjab, decide to travel to London for various reasons. They realise the need to learn English to pass the IELTS exam and subsequently enrol in a coaching centre. Hardy (portrayed by Shah Rukh Khan), a soldier, assists them in achieving their dream through the Dunki method, an illegal means of crossing borders. The film explores the identity of Hardy, his motivations for helping them, their decision to resort to unlawful travel, and the experiences they encounter on their journey.What's Good About Dunki?
Dunki boasts a strong first half that predominantly revolves around comedy. The film features numerous scenes that are sure to elicit laughter, bearing Rajkumar Hirani's signature style. Despite the promotional material not initially showcasing the comedic aspect prominently, it is well-executed in the film. The movie maintains a fast-paced narrative in the first hour, devoid of any dull moments. Shah Rukh Khan delivers a standout performance in Dunki, filling the void for fans who missed his exceptional acting in Pathaan and Jawan. Particularly in the court scene during the second half, SRK demonstrates that he is not merely a star but also a skilled actor. Taapsee Pannu delivers a commendable performance, portraying a character of significance on par with the protagonist. Anil Grover and Vikram Kochhar leave a lasting impression with their comedic timing. The film's makers deserve credit for shedding light on a relatively unknown subject. Some noteworthy moments are presented in the second half.What Could Have Been Better?
When Rajkumar Hirani announced Dunki, there was widespread curiosity regarding its premise. As details emerged, it became known that Dunki pertains to the illegal border-crossing concept. Consequently, the biggest challenge for Hirani lay in crafting the screenplay.The subject matter is complex, and effectively presenting this concept in an audience-pleasing manner posed a significant challenge. While Hirani adeptly incorporates humour, the emotional aspects could have been handled more effectively.
Hirani's previous works, including 3 Idiots, PK, Munna Bhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, and Sanju, have been distinguished by impactful emotional moments. However, in Dunki, Hirani's trademark emotional touch is somewhat lacking. Vicky Kaushal's cameo could have been more impactful.
The staging of the interval sequence is subpar, resulting in a diminished impact.
How Is Others Aspects of the movie?
Pritam's songs are praiseworthy, and the background score by Aman Pant is commendable. The production values are decent, although the CGI in certain scenes appears somewhat lacking. Rajkumar Hirani, who also serves as the film's editor, appears to have truncated a few crucial scenes related to SRK's backstory. It is natural to anticipate a remarkable film from Rajkumar Hirani, and while Dunki is not subpar by any means, it falls short of the heightened expectations set by the director's previous works. The film excels in humour but does not effectively capture the strong emotions that have been a hallmark of Hirani's films. While there are some commendable moments in the second half, the overall impact of the film is somewhat underwhelming.Verdict:
In summary, Dunki explores an intriguing concept, but Rajkumar Hirani's execution is decent rather than exceptional. The film excels in its humour but lacks the powerful emotional depth typically associated with Hirani's work. While there are some compelling moments in the second half, the film fails to deliver an overwhelming experience. Shah Rukh Khan delivers an outstanding performance, and the film also benefits from the contributions of Taapsee, Anil Grover, and Vikram Kochhar. Viewers willing to overlook its flaws may find Dunki worth watching.