Dunki (2023) Movie: Comedy Drama About Illegal Immigration

Dunki (2023) is a comedy-drama about illegal immigration from Punjab, India. It is SRK’s (Shah Rukh Khan) third movie of 2023 and Rajkumar Hirani’s first movie of the year.

After the Pathan and Jawan movies of SRK, it is his third consecutive hit of the year. So far, the Dunki (2023) Movie has earned Rs. (INR) 436.40 crore as per today’s box office reports.

Synopsis of the Dunki (2023) Movie

Four friends from a village in Punjab share a common dream: to go to England. Their problem is that they have neither the visa nor the ticket. A soldier promises to take them to the land of their dreams.

Ratings of the Dunki (2023) Movie

Spoiler Free Review of the Dunki (2023) Movie

The introduction

This Hindi film’s title “Dunki” and its central theme are loosely based on the infamous “Donkey Flight” system. This illegal immigration procedure was in the news recently. Also, according to the data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India has nearly 3000 such (illegal immigration) agencies known to have duped aspirants seeking employment abroad in various foreign countries. Thus, this well-oiled illegal immigration business is a booming business in India. And, no doubt it is a matter of great concern in India.

Many youngsters of Punjab state (although it is true for many other states too) dream of migrating to Western nations. They are motivated by the hope for a better life and the aspiration of earning high salaries in Dollars, Pounds, Euros, etc. To reach these foreign nations, they are willing to adopt even illegal practices. And Dunki explores this subject.

A collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) and Rajkumar Hirani

In India, Writer and Director Rajkumar Hirani is well known for making almost perfect masala movies fit for family viewing. He takes serious subjects with deep social messages and turns them into wholesome family entertainment films. He has done so with Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003), Lage Raho Munna Bhai (200), 3 Idiots (2009), PK (2014), etc.

And we have already mentioned that SRK has given three blockbuster movies in 2023. This Dunki film is Shahrukh Khan’s first collaboration with director Rajkumar Hirani after the previous attempts of “Munnabhai MBBS” and “3 Idiots” could not be worked out between those two. Now both SRK and Hirani have joined hands for this “Dunki” movie, and so far they are earning a lot of moolah at the box office.

So, what is the basic storyline?

Well, in this film the four friends – Manu (Taapsee Pannu), Balli (Anil Grover), Buggu (Vikram Kochhar), and Sukhi (Vicky Kaushal) from a village in Punjab share a common dream: to go to England. Their problem is that they have neither the visa nor the ticket. A soldier Hardy (Shah Rukh Khan) promises to take them to the land of their dreams. Do all of them succeed? Or do some of them fail while trying? What is the reality of their lives in England? When they use a backdoor process to move to England, their lives become complicated. As they struggle to return home to India. The ending is not so happy for most of them.

Has a good mix of love, family, friendship, tragedy, nostalgia, etc.

There are lots of firsts for this film. It is Tapsee Pannu’s first film with Shah Rukh Khan. It also has Vicky Kaushal (of Sam Bahadur) in a guest appearance with a tragic tale.

We feel that this talented bunch of actors have been let down by missing magic elements. Maybe they could have tightened its script and added a few more splashes of emotional elements to it. The other actors Vikram Kochhar (Balindar “Buggu” Lakhanpal), Anil Grover (Balli Kakkad), Boman Irani (Geetendar “Geetu” Gulati), Deven Bhojani (Advocate Puru Patel), etc. of ensemble cast have entertained us with their excellent comic timings.

Buggu's mother: Swear on your grandma that you'll never think of going to London again!

Buggu's grandmother: Idiots! Why do you always swear on my name?

Balindar 'Buggu' Lakhanpal: I, Buggu Lakhanpal, swear on my grandma, that if I ever think of going to London again, then my grandma dies!

(Dialogues from one of the scenes from the film)

No doubt, the loud laughs of the movie-goers in the cinema hall attest to the good comedic scenes in it. In addition, there are a couple of good Hindi songs in it, we have shared them in spoilers below. Overall, it is a heartwarming film about love, family, friendship, tragedy, nostalgia, etc. This tear-jerker movie takes us on an emotional journey into the lives of four friends. And we liked this journey that travels beyond the borders of India.

The conclusion

Many Western Nations are building walls and using barbed wire fences to stop illegal immigrants. And of course, England (Britain) is taking steps to stop the migrants.

Hardy: When the British came to India, we never asked them whether the know Hindi or not, so how dare they not allow us to enter their country without knowing English.

(A dialogue from one of the scenes from the film)

{THINK}

So, this film tackles the burning socio-economic issues of contemporary times, not only in India but around the world. We liked this film and it is certainly good for at least one watch.

Focus on the bonus hit songs from the Dunki (2023) Movie

#1 This Farsi song "Ta Tou Boudi" by Mohammed Nouri is played in the beginning of the desert scene in the film.

#2 This Farsi song "Asheyaneh" by Feraydoon Farrokhzad is played during the Shah Rukh Khan desert scene in the film.

Poster of the Dunki (2023) Movie

Key details about the Dunki (2023) Movie

Trailer of the Dunki (2023) Movie

Featured Image and Poster of the Dunki (2023) Movie | Pics. Credit: Red Chillies Entertainment, Jio Studios and Rajkumar Hirani Films.