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Dunki Movie Review Rating: 2.5 Stars
Star Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu, Vikram Kochhar, Anil Grover, Boman Irani & Vicky Kaushal
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
What’s Good: Rajkumar Hirani and Shah Rukh Khan coming together for a subject like illegal immigration, rather than taking a risk-free route of commercial entertainers
What’s Bad: Gives you Munna Bhai and 3 Idiots vibes but fails to match that excellence
Loo Break: Interval is enough
Watch or Not?: Since two powerhouses have come together for the first time, you should give it a try
Language: Hindi
Available On: Theatrical release
Runtime: 2 hours and 41 minutes
User Rating: ★★★☆☆
Story:
In a small village called Laltu in Punjab, three best friends—Mannu (Taapsee Pannu), Buggu (Vikram Kochhar), and Balli (Anil Grover)—are tired of their everyday lives and dream of making it big in London. They meet Hardy (Shah Rukh Khan), a smart and experienced soldier, who becomes close to them and promises to help fulfill their dream.
Hardy helps Balli get a VISA for London, but Mannu and Buggu have to take a risky route known as the “Donkey Flight” for illegal immigration. They go through a tough journey but finally reach London. However, once there, they discover the harsh reality of the lives of illegal immigrants, shocking them and Hardy.
Dunki Movie Review: Script Analysis
As a devoted fan of Rajkumar Hirani’s films, I’ve always admired his exceptional filmmaking and storytelling skills. His films often feature simple stories elevated by well-developed characters and a compelling screenplay. Hirani’s strength lies in crafting characters with detailed backstories, adding situational humor, and balancing emotional moments seamlessly.
However, Dunki, despite the collaboration of a talented team including Rajkumar Hirani, Abhijat Joshi, and Kanika Dhillon, falls short of expectations. While the film introduces an intriguing concept of illegal immigration, it struggles to transform it into a compelling narrative. Some parts of the film feel unconvincing, and there is a missed opportunity for a more engaging storyline. Although Dunki has moments of genuine humor and emotion that elevate it, the overall pacing lacks consistency. Additionally, the characters fail to leave a lasting impression.
The cinematography team, comprised of C. K. Muraleedharan, Manush Nandan, Amit Roy, and Kumar Pankaj, delivers decent work. However, the VFX could have been improved, as certain scenes give away a studio-shot feel. Despite these shortcomings, Dunki manages to offer some funny and touching moments, but it doesn’t quite reach the high standards set by the filmmakers’ previous works.
Dunki Movie Review: Star Performance
Shah Rukh Khan effortlessly blends into Rajkumar Hirani’s world, showcasing his charm and humor in the role of Hardy. While his presence feels natural throughout the film, there are a few scenes where he appears slightly unconvincing. However, he shines brilliantly in a court scene.
Taapsee Pannu delivers a good performance as Mannu, with her on-screen chemistry with Shah Rukh Khan feeling easy and natural. Vikram Kochhar, playing Buggu, adds humor and laughter to the scenes.
Vicky Kaushal’s cameo is a standout, contributing to Dunki’s high points with his superb performance.
Dunki Movie Review: Direction, Music
Rajkumar Hirani, known for delivering entertaining films with strong social messages, falls short of his own standards with Dunki. Despite having an interesting concept, the film’s half-baked story hampers its potential. While there are moments reminiscent of typical Rajkumar Hirani vibes, like in scenes at Gulati’s Classes or a suicide scene, one wishes for more.
Pritam’s music is decent, with ‘Lutt Putt Gaya’ standing out. ‘Chal Ve Watna’ and ‘O Maahi’ complement the film’s situations well.
Dunki Movie Review: The Last Word
In my last words, Dunki has both its flaws and highlights. It falls short of the cinematic magic expected from the collaboration of Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani. One hopes that in the future, the duo will reunite with a stronger story and execution.
Two and a half stars!
Dunki Trailer
Dunki releases on 21 December 2023.
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