Shah Rukh Khan fans are delighted to see the actor three times this year in theatre and getting back into the drama/romance role in Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki after delivering action-packed mass movies — Jawan and Pathaan.
But even after SRK tried his best to bring some life to Dunki, the movie is not sitting well with critics and the audience. Despite receiving mixed reviews after the December 21 release, the movie managed to earn ₹30 crore on its first day, according to industry tracker Sacnilk.
Dunki experienced the lowest opening compared to SRK's two earlier releases in 2023. Pathaan had a robust opening with ₹57 crore, while Jawan earned around ₹89.5 crore on its first day.
The answer to a bit of an underwhelming performance at the box office is the weak storytelling that Dunki offers.
Hirani's magic seems lost
If you are a Hirani fan you would know the one thing that works in his movies is the emotional connection one feels with the characters and the story. This seems to be missing in
Dunki.Co-written by Hirani, Abhijat Joshi, and Kanika Dhillon, the screenplay falls short of capturing the intricacies required by the subject of illegal immigration.
Dunki is the story of friends Manu (Taapsee Pannu), Buggu (Vikram Kochhar) and Balli (Anil Grover) from a small village in Punjab and their journey of going to London by hook or by crook with the idea that this will make their life better. They are helped by Hardy (Shah Rukh Khan), a soldier who comes to return an old tape recorder to a guardian angel who saved his life—Manu’s late brother.
Considering Punjab's rich history of migrations, both legal and illegal, influenced by factors such as economic prospects and issues related to drugs and militancy,
Dunki appears regrettably simplistic. In an era where OTT platforms are delivering more compelling and nuanced stories from the region, this film comes across as outdated, dwelling in the past much like the lives of its characters.
Some fun gags and elements stand out on their own but overall the movie doesn't connect that much with the audience to feel the pulse and gravity of what people who the 'donkey route' (illegal migration) go through.
It endeavours to portray the challenges and aspirations of individuals pursuing a better life, yet Hirani's characteristic mix of humour, emotion, and drama appears oddly restrained, even amid numerous setbacks in the film.
Another thing that sets a Hirani movie apart is the social commentary, the commentary on religion in PK, law in Sanju, poverty and the flawed education system in 3 Idiots was something that stayed with the audience. Meanwhile, the social commentary on fraud visa centres, the miserable life of illegal immigrants and over-the-top IELTS coaching centres in Dunki doesn't land that well.
In fact, in a departure from the usual Hirani movies, the comedic elements during moments of genuine sorrow create an unsettling experience for the audience, a trademark move by Hirani.
When Buggu is swindled by a deceitful immigration agent, resulting in the loss of his mother's entire life savings, the resolution unfolds in a comedic fashion. However, the scene evokes a sense of discomfort. It lacks the profound social commentary seen in Raju's household in 3 Idiots (2009), addressing issues of poverty and the education system, including his subsequent suicide attempt.
SRK's monologue, highlighting the strictness of borders and immigration laws predominantly affecting the poor and uneducated, doesn't quite deliver a forceful impact. Additionally, if SRK's emotional presence is not able to give life to that monologue then I don't know what can.
Vicky Kaushal's 'Sukhi' is the only character to connect with
The only character that you'll feel somewhat of a connection with is Vicky Kaushal's 'Sukhi', a fellow student at the institute. Kaushal in his little cameo gives a stellar performance just showing what an amazing actor he is.
On paper, Shah Rukh Khan embodies the archetypal Rajkumar Hirani hero in Dunki as 'Hardy' a soldier whose arrival to thank his rescuer leads to unexpected love and camaraderie with the locals. However, the character lacks individuality, resembling a pre-fabricated blend of saviour, charmer, leader, and laid-back personality, reminiscent of Hirani's previous creations.
Dunki sometimes feels like a movie designed around Khan which takes away the humanitarian aspects of your typical Hirani hero which comes with a back story and also gives space to the side characters to have their arc. For instance, I would love to watch a standalone 'Chatur' or 'Raju' movie from 3 Idiots but in Dunki I can say that only about 'Sukhi'.
Overall Dunki is a good one-time watch. It's wholesome, warm and fuzzy but the weak writing makes SRK look trapped in a character making the audience lose the connection which is also reflected in the box-office numbers.
(Edited by : Amrita)
First Published: Dec 22, 2023 1:58 PM IST
