“It’s a story of friendship, love, and belonging,” is what Shah Rukh Khan kept on emphasizing while promoting Dunki, his third film of 2023.
The superstar is coming on the back of two monstrous hits in Pathan and Jawan. While they were commercial movies, Dunki is more on the artistic side.
It is a family drama running for approximately 160 minutes. With Rajkumar Hirani helming it, this union is like a match made in heaven.
Should you watch Dunki in theaters, spending your money and time? Here’s my review (a pretty long one).
Dunki Synopsis
When all efforts fail, a desperate group of friends in Punjab decides to travel to England through the infamous Dunki route. Will they succeed?
Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the movie stars Taapsee Pannu (Manu), Shah Rukh Khan (Hardy), Vikram Kochhar (Buggu), and Anil Grover (Balli). Boman Irani (Gulati) and Vicky Kaushal (Sukhi) have cameo roles in the film.
What Works for Dunki?
First things first, SRK is probably the only megastar who ensures the female lead’s name is shown before his in the initial credits.
Also, as I write this in a McDonald’s outlet, I can hear a group of three people discussing SRK and his Dunki. Now, let’s come to the movie.
The concept is refreshing in the realm of Hindi films.
Set in 1995, in a small Punjab Village, Dunki explores Mannu, Balli, and Guggi’s dream of making a life in England, like most of the people in their locality.
However, a lack of resources and a poor hold on the English language make their pursuit almost impossible to achieve.
Then comes Hardy, a street-smart army man who has the charisma of finding a way.
Be it learning to speak English for a student visa or offering emotional support, he can spin a trick. Still, the end goal remains far-fetched.
When everything fails, their IELTS teacher comes up with the idea of the ‘Dunki route.’
The setup is nice and Hirani’s traditional approach to filmmaking is visible. He fills the first half with humor and punchlines.
The wit remains high, specifically due to the powerful performances of the entire cast. You are sure to laugh out loud on several occasions in the first half.
There are downsides also, which I will cover later. A standout aspect of the movie is the local setup.
From airplanes on rooftops to offering them as a prayer in temples, the research is visible.
Furthermore, I also loved the romance between SRK and Taapsee. Their chemistry lights up the screen even though I had reservations regarding it while stepping inside the hall.
Interestingly, Hirani reminds us of the classic Veer Zaara at one point and, surprisingly, he does it pretty well. It’s sweet, delightful, and pleasing.
Gestures like a character putting sand inside a box as ghar ki mitti, and Taapsee taking off her slippers before stepping into her village after years, are worthy of appreciation.
‘Lutt Putt Gaya,’ brings happy vibes to the screen and enhances the overall ambiance of the first half. Its picturization is wonderful as well.
The drama and emotions work in patches.
More or less, the ending satisfied me for its calm and simplicity plus the horrors that immigrants go through.
We have seen non-Indian films explore the plight of immigrants, but a mainstream Hindi movie, fronted by a superstar, is rare.
I feel Dunki succeeds in presenting their physical sacrifice but falls short on the emotional front.
The movie will certainly shake you toward the end and make you think about international borders as the poor people’s enemy.
How are the Performances?
Everybody is brilliant in the film. It is one of the highlights of Dunki that the whole cast delivers astounding acts.
Taapsee Pannu plays Manu in the movie. Her natural depiction is at the heart of Dunki. She is effortless, poignant, and masterful.
The conviction in Pannu’s display of emotions is right on point. Her expressions further strengthen the core of Dunki. I simply loved her dialogue delivery.
Shah Rukh Khan finally returns with the actual version of himself. The magnitude of charm one usually associates with the actor is at full flow in Dunki.
While he missed the emotional shades in Jawan and Pathan, King Khan finally gives the audience what they deserve.
Every bit of his affable demeanor as Hardy brings a smile to your face.
Vicky Kaushal steals the limelight with just a cameo. His limited presence in the movie proves to be the game-changer.
The actor is spectacular as Sukhi. His facial variances are so detailed and immersive that you’d want him to never leave the screen.
My standout part of his act was him and SRK playing drunk individuals. Vicky outshines himself when he wears the hat of an alcoholic.
Similarly, SRK owns the show when he gets high.
Vikram Kochhar’s comic timing lands an impact on the narrative. He tickles you with every one-liner. The versatile actor dazzles in the humor department while keeping him together in gritty scenes.
Anil Grover as Balli will make you go gaga. He is a riot on the screen, doing all that you’d expect from an actor.
I am not sure if this was his first outing, but I can confidently say, Anil is here to stay. He is the only one who is sharp in the scenes where the leads are old.
What Doesn’t Work for Dunki?
Raju Hirani is successful because he has proven time and again his ability to grasp human emotions right through to the end without any artificial add-ons.
Be it laughter or tears, the director writes the scenes with utmost patience. He takes time to choose topics, craft lines, and make his films.
More than Shah Rukh Khan, I went to watch Dunki for Hirani. However, here, he misses the mark by a mile, if not more.
Some of the comedy scenes arise from cliches, or the expectation that a general cinegoer will laugh.
For example, the classroom sequences. They fail to leave an indelible comic impact and are a mixed bag.
Secondly, the drama is subdued even when it is pretentious.
Hirani wants you to cry. He puts you in a spot and furnishes tears in his characters to evoke the same from the audience.
But the minute his lead starts sobbing, the effect wanes.
Dunki doesn’t naturally make its audience feel inner turmoil, it doesn’t connect with the viewer and fails to engage with them, which was the case with classics like 3 Idiots, PK, and Sanju.
Moreover, the film’s approach is formulaic with the first half devoted to fun and the second to intense sentiments.
We have been there and seen it happening on so many occasions that our minds are prepared for the outcome.
So, the film needed a gripping surrounding to spill captivation. Much like what Rocky Aur Rani did in the second half.
Instead of that, Dunki focuses more on plot devices like unsubtle twists and writing of convenience.
It uses a tool that has become too ancient to emphasize emotional resonance. I cannot point out the exact thing to avoid dropping spoilers.
But, please keep in mind, Dunki’s plot devices arise from cliches and not craft.
Should You Watch Dunki in Theaters?
The concept is brilliant, but the film is not at par with Rajkumar Hirani’s standards. It lacks the powerful dramatic moments that make a family drama complete.
On the positive side, the performances are supreme. From Shah Rukh Khan and Taapsee to Vikram Kochhar, Anil Grover, and Vicky Kaushal’s cameo, everybody joins the party.
You should watch it for the performances, and the theme it reflects. Also, the fact that pure family films are reducing by the day, Dunki comes as an attractive option.
On the other hand, captivation and disconnect with the writing are reasons to avoid Dunki.
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