Dunki Movie Review: SRK Shines

Release Date: December 21, 2023

Piktalk.com Rating: 3/5

Cast:
Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Boman Irani, Vikram Kochhar, Anil Grover, and others.

Director: Rajkumar Hirani

Producers: Gauri Khan, Rajkumar Hirani

Music Director: Pritam, Aman Pant

Cinematographers: C.K. Muraleedharan, Manush Nandan, Amit Roy, Kumar Pankaj

Editor: Rajkumar Hirani

Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani joined forces for the social comedy-drama “Dunki,” releasing on December 21, 2023. The film, revolving around the concept of illegal immigration, generated anticipation with its clash against “Salaar,” elevating excitement levels.

Story:
Manu (Taapsee), Bali (Anil Grover), Buggu Lakhanpal (Vikram Kochhar), and Sukhi (Vicky Kaushal) from Laltu, Punjab, aspire to go to London. Realizing the importance of English proficiency, they enroll in a coaching center. Hardy (Shah Rukh Khan), a soldier, aids them in achieving their dream through the Dunki method—an illegal way of crossing borders. The film explores Hardy’s identity, his motivation to help them, and the unconventional journey to London.

Plus Points:
“Dunki” boasts a strong first half, heavily relying on comedy infused with Rajkumar Hirani’s trademark style. The humor, initially underestimated in promotional content, proves delightful in the film. The movie maintains a brisk pace in the first hour, devoid of dull moments.

Shah Rukh Khan shines in “Dunki,” showcasing his acting prowess. Particularly in a court scene during the second half, SRK demonstrates that he’s not just a star but a talented actor. Taapsee Pannu delivers a commendable performance with a substantial role. Anil Grover and Vikram Kochhar contribute to the comedic charm. The film deserves credit for shedding light on a less-known subject, offering moments of significance in the second half.

Challenges:
Rajkumar Hirani faced the challenge of presenting a difficult concept—illegal immigration—in a crowd-pleasing manner. While succeeding in humor, the emotional depth falls slightly short compared to Hirani’s previous works. Vicky Kaushal’s cameo could have been more impactful, and the staging of the interval sequence lacks impact.

Technical Aspects:
Pritam’s music and Aman Pant’s background score are praiseworthy. Production values are decent, but CGI works falter in a few scenes. Hirani, also the editor, leaves a few scenes related to SRK’s backstory feeling incomplete.

Verdict:
“Dunki” explores an intriguing concept, with Rajkumar Hirani delivering a decent execution, though not reaching his usual greatness. The film excels in humor but lacks the emotional resonance found in Hirani’s previous works. Despite flaws, Shah Rukh Khan’s exceptional performance, supported by Taapsee, Anil Grover, and Vikram Kochhar, makes “Dunki” worth a watch if you can overlook its shortcomings.

Piktalk.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by Piktalk Team