I did not like Dunki because there are loopholes in the story. SRK tried to do what he could with all the finesse of his craft but it fell flat. This ship never sailed. The issue of immigrant transportation and their lives being in jeopardy is served on the screen. Taapasee Pannu did an excellent job. The focus is on the refugees. The refugees who end up being dead, half dead or with no will to pursue their dream. SRK is getting on in years and it looks as though he can no longer hide it. Technology failed to make him look younger. A not-so-strong storyline is propped up by good musical beats. (I liked/didn’t like Dunki because ... December 22)

Kousik Majumdar

I loved Dunki but this is not one of the best films of Rajkumar Hirani. It’s true that SRK gives his heart and soul every time in his performances. He has given his best here also. After his two smashing blockbusters — Pathaan and Jawan — expectations were very high. Somewhere I failed to connect strongly with the script. Those staying away from the country, will maybe strongly connect with this film. Tapsee is undoubtedly one of the finest actresses and this will be one of the best films of her career. Vicky Kaushal has a fantastic role to play even with limited screen time. His character was funny and will make you cry.

It’s a patriotic movie and will be loved by all when it comes to patriotism. The lyrics, the music and the songs, especially Oh maahi and Nikle they kabhi hum ghar se, are heart-touching. As an SRK-ian I am a bit disappointed, as this was his first collaboration with Hiraniand it failed to create that magic that I was expecting.

Taqi Zeeshan

After starring in back-to-back action films, it was delightful to watch Shah Rukh Khan in Rajkumar Hirani’s lighthearted comedy drama Dunki alongside a proficient cast. Set in a scenic village in Punjab, the film revolves around the lives of four ambitious friends who wish to go to England overcoming the myriad hurdles ahead of them. Packed with a balance of humour and flawless performances, it creatively encapsulates every emotion in its runtime and brings out the central message of the film lucidly. Be it the airplane-shaped water tanks or the sweet colloquial dialect, Hirani has artistically captured the finest details with ease. The fact that some portions of the film share an uncanny resemblance to some of Shah Rukh’s iconic characters serves as a heartwarming tribute to his rich legacy. In a nutshell, this film feels like a warm hug both inspiring and entertaining, absolutely worth watching with the family this holiday season.

Aayman Anwar Ali

I didn’t like Dunki because Mr Hirani did not portray the protagonists to their capacity. Shah Rukh Khan or his leading lady are not meant for such roles, especially after Pathaan and Jawan. Variety is good but not to the extent where the actors lose their aura.

The film or even it’s poster did not seem convincing to me at all. It reminded me of SRK’s My Name is Khan. I would like to give a five out of 10 to this basic piece.

Ushree

Dunki created huge expectations because for the first time Shah Rukh Khan collaborated with Hirani for a feature film. The stardom of SRK and the craftsmanship of Rajkumar Hirani, when stitched together, was expected to produce the best work of both, but it could not be achieved. The film has an intriguing backstory about illegal immigrants from India who undergo massive amount of struggle to get to London and then somehow survive there to send money back home. I liked the way Hirani had SRK’s flashback started with him returning a tape-recorder — a cheesy reference to the blockbuster PK. The first half is amazing with lots of comic scenes and some brilliant performance from Vicky Kaushal in a cameo role.

However, the film goes into a trough in the second half, when it deals with emotions. SRK does justice to the role, returning to his evergreen romantic character, doing bits and pieces of action, but dealing mostly with emotions for which he is known to be an expert. The side characters get crucial screen time and impress in their roles, especially Anil Grover and Vikram Kochhar. In a year where SRK made a grand comeback with his rugged action thrillers, like Pathaan or Jawan, it was refreshing to see him working on a Hirani film that deals with a social problem.

Resham Das

Dunki feels like a fresh breeze in a year full of action movies. Since I mostly like the genres of comedy, romance and drama, Dunki is a Christmas gift to me. The way it portrays a strong message along with intense emotion and amazing humour is commendable. Apart from SRK and Tapsee Pannu, I absolutely loved Vikram Kochhar as Buggu. His comic timing, spontaneous acting have stolen the show. Vicky Kaushal has nailed it as Sukhi. His depiction of emotional breakdown with his body language and eye expressions was awesome. His was a short yet most impactful character.

The songs, like O maahi by Arijit Singh, has gone well with SRK’s lip-syncing. There are so many signature styles or dialogues which define a Rajkumar Hirani movie, yet it is different. The way the movie portrays a conflict between staying in your home country and going abroad to earn bread to run the family is marvellous. The way Hardy stands strong for his country in spite of every obstacle, has won my heart, though I can’t blame Mannu, Buggu and Balli for choosing London.

I left the theatre with moist eyes, especially after seeing the death of Mannu. The story of Hardy and Mannu remains incomplete yet beautiful. The most unexpected character to me was the character of Baakir (the Saudi Arabian Dunki agent). I won’t say that it’s the best Rajkumar Hirani movie I’ve seen, but definitely one of the best movies of 2023. Thank you to the entire team for such an amazing year-end film. It’s definitely deserves a visit to the theatre.

Sinjita Barman

Dunki is a disappointment. The concept of the donkey route for illegal immigrants could have made for a haunting drama that I had recently come across in Io Capitano by Matteo Garrone; I was lucky enough to watch it at KIFF 2023. In almost 40 minutes shorter than Dunki’s physically-and emotionally-draining runtime, Garrone’s film made the traumatic journey feel palpable; the reasons behind the journey and the pain that they underwent on the treacherous path drew our sympathy for the characters.

Dunki doesn’t manage to do any of these. It has its moments but none of it is memorable. The emotions felt dry, Shah Rukh hams it up to the highest degree, spelling out melodrama in every scene, the sequences felt unconvincing, Vicky Kaushal reduced to feature in an insignificant and unnecessary subplot. The music is nothing to write home about. The only one who leaves a mark is Tapsee Pannu. As the leading lady, she gets a lot of scope and has the best written narrative among the cast.

Indranil Ghosh

I liked Dunki because it is a one-time watch. The first half is good while the second half is a drag. The movie is a bit too long. Shah Rukh Khan gives a top-notch performance and is ably assisted by a good supporting cast. Vicky Kaushal excels in an extended cameo. The movie has all the ingredients of a Rajkumar Hirani movie. Dunki is a movie with a social message and is not a massy one which will limit its box-office business.

PVS Krishnan

I did not like Dunki as much I expected.The movie is based on a modern era story of daring attempts to find illegal and reckless ways to seek entry into a more prosperous country and thus make a viable living. Dunki is directed by a reputed and one of the most successful Bollywood film directors. It has one of the boldest and excellent, bankable actor like Shah Rukh Khan with a beautiful, seasoned actress like Taapsee Pannu as the heroine. Yet, it did not create that resonance which the audiences expected, nor did it entertain. The second half particularly failed to excite the interest of viewers. We also missed the romancing between Shah Rukh Khan and his adorable heroine.

Bholanath Das

Dunki is an old school, sweet love story against the backdrop of an extremely serious subject matter of donkey flight. The movie is really about illegal immigration and the melancholic stories of illegal immigrants. Within a limited time the director Rajkumar Hirani tried to tell a lot of stories; social and financial causes of illegal immigration, greedy agents, the dreadful journey and ultimately the discrimination on the basis of money, all came one after another. But the presentation is over dramatic and emotive.

Shah Rukh Khan spread the essence of love, friendship, courage, bravery, humanity and patriotism with his spectacular presence. Taapsee Pannu is spontaneous and sweet as the young and older Mannu.

Sarbani Banerjee

In Dunki, the protagonists’ love for their country grows not just from pride, but from understanding its flaws and challenges. Hardy Singh is a breath of fresh air in a world of red flags. His devotion to Manu and his desire to help her reach her destination, even at the cost of their separation, is moving. The story of Sukhi, the character played by Vicky Kaushal, is a major tearjerker. The scene where Mannu is in danger is sure to leave you on the edge of your seat. The court scene and SRK’s hard-hitting dialogue — “Apne desh ko gaali nahi dunga” — hit a patriotic note, which deserves a standing ovation. However, the ending felt rushed and half-hearted. I believe the first half of the film could have been pared down considerably.

Parallels from SRK’s other films, like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,Veer Zara, and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, are sure to elicit applause and cheers from the audience. The pressure to match Rajkumar Hirani’s previous successes led to a screenplay that had it all but ended up lacking in between. Overall, the musical score, comedic elements and cinematography showcasing exquisite locations in Kashmir, Saudi Arabia and London make it a family-friendly, must-watch film.

Sanchari Mitra

Raju Hirani raised important social issues in Dunki. Sukhi’s story raises uncomfortable social and moral questions too. Taapsee Panu’s acting was bearable but her chemistry with SRK needed more time to evolve. The first half is more entertaining with passionate songs and realistic issues. Anil Grover’s comic timing was impressive. SRK doesn’t need dialogues to make his emotions stand out and it is clear that his aura is unmatchable. He did justice to his character, being a total green forest for his lover and country in this era of red flags. Dunki is a hilarious and heartwarming saga of a perilous journey, borders, friendships, nostalgia for home and love that towers above all.

Ishika Mandal

The film deals with the topic of illegal migration by Punjabi people to first-world countries, called Dunki (from ‘donkey flight’, a term which is not fully explained in the film). The first half is a hilarious joyride of on-point Rajkumar Hirani jokes, reminiscent of other satirical celluloid takes on the privileged position of English in Indian society, such as Hindi Medium and English Vinglish. Taapsee Pannu is in her element as a badass fake female wrestler who is taught only enough wrestling by the dashing Punjabi army-man, played by SRK, to take down unsuspecting people to the ground at random moments. Tragedy strikes suddenly in the midst of hilarity with the graphic suicide of Vicky Kaushal’s lovelorn character. The portrayal of illegal immigrants’ hardships in London reminded me of Street Dancer 3D (2020), where the burning of passports and erosion of citizenship rights is resolved in a different way than the eventual homecoming.

Though a wholesome entertainer, Dunki struck a few discordant notes. The extent to which the Punjabi youth fetishise the dream of going abroad is portrayed by the protagonists but goes unquestioned. The courtroom scene in the UK clearly spreads misinformation on asylum laws and how they are handled by the UK government.

Dhee Sankar