Dunki (2023) Poster

(2023)

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8/10
Vintage SRK is back
soham-2135821 December 2023
"Dunki" excited us from the announcement, as we grew up watching SRK and Raju Hirani. Apart from that, Bollywood has never explored such a unique plot. Now, coming back to the movie, "Dunki" is a decent entertainer with a great first half and a weak second half. The screenplay is engaging until the first half; after that, it falters. This is the only weakest point of "Dunki." The music is outstanding and fits perfectly into the scenes. The dialogues are well-written. SRK, Taapsee, and others have done a tremendous job. Overall, it's a great entertainer for the festive season. It might not be Raju Hirani's best, but you have to remember it's still better than others' best work .
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8/10
Beautiful message - for someone with the right ear!
kevin_ansh21 December 2023
Dunki is a unique take on a situation not known by many in India. In a way, it educates people to some extent. Bur since the problem is not known by many, audiences may not be able to relate to the story.

The story revolves around a group of people who want visit/migrate to UK for different reasons. Their journey, called, dunki, based in the route they take is full of emotions and a roller coaster ride.

The common reaso in migrating to UK for the characters is the need to earn a good livelihood. In today's scenario,many may feel thar there are ample opportunities here and may not think the story to be good.

However, everyone will surely relate to the emotions and when it comes to emotions, no one can beat SRK. That man speaks emotions with his eyes, nose, ear, hair, literally everything. He is so popular for a reason. SRK shines all along in the movie.

But the person who steals the show is, Vicky Kaushal. He is at par with SRK in the screen time he gets, very impactful acting. He has been doing amazing acting and for me, he takes the crown of the best actor in this movie.

Tapsee has always been amazing, and her role in this movie gives her ample moments to prove her mettle. Rest of the actors are doing justice to their roles and are a treat to watch.
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8/10
The one who can relate will love this.
parasanatan21 December 2023
Hirani nailed it. Early morning went for movie which was worth it. It has some drama which was forcefully added then focused on real content. If its real content was more than unnecessary drama then i would have give it 10. Otherwise you will love the movie. You will enjoy this movie multiple times on your lifetime. It is mainly focused on type of person who wants to goto foreign. It is so true that many people want to goto foreign and have a lavish lifestyle but failed to do so. So this movie also taught us some lessions. It is very good movie. If u are srk fan u will definitely like this movie but if u are neutal fan also.. u will enjoy this movie.
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7/10
Good movie but nothing Great
danzs-9092421 December 2023
Being an RH fan I had to see this on the first day and it left me disappointed. Once the credits roll you will say it's a good movie but will I watch it again? NO.

It has the emotions and drama backed by great performances from SRK and Taapsee. The social message is delivered but if you are going to watch this for walking out with that 'feel good' factor you felt with Munnabhai or 3 Idiots... that's not going to happen.

The script focuses so much on SRK and Taapsee that it fades out the potential of others. Boman Irani and Vicky Kaushal are not given any character arc and knowing their potential it is unfair.

The soundtrack is good and blends with the narrative but nothing stands out. Worth a watch if you get the tickets cheap else wait for it to hit the OTT platforms.
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5/10
Not Rajkumar Hirani film
deesaai6 January 2024
Had so much hype and Expectation personally, not because of SRK, but because of Rajkumar Hirani the director and Abhijat Joshi the script writer. Totally disappointed by Dialogues, Screen play and surprisingly direction too wasn't at par with what we have seen in past from Rajkumar Hirani film. The acting was all right but the cast wasn't looking punjbi at all. Srk - Tapsi big Zero in chemistry and coming on screen together as 2 Punjabis, better would be Shahid Kapoor or Daljit.

Background score and music aren't that good either. I mean this is not what we expect from HiraniJi as director, i belive he needs Aamir Khan and under Vidhu Vinod Chopra he delivered Masterpiece. This I belive and understand is Ghost directed by his Son.
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10/10
Cult Masterpiece by Rajkumar Hirani
skumartam21 December 2023
Just witnessed the magic of RajkumarHirani. Finally, a film after a long wait that will make you laugh louder and it makes me cry so much. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, belly laughs and tear jerking heartbreak await.

Rula Dene wala INTERVAL.

1st half - Laugh of loud comedy & before interval a heartbreaking moment that make u cry.

2nd half - It was shown what problems they face and how they face the problems & in a Patriotic feel which give u a goosebumps.

SRK is just brilliant. And VickyKaushal is show stealer. Have no words to describe him. He will stop your heart for a moment

A Complete family entertainer.
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6/10
A Tale of Two Halves: Peaks and Pitfalls
NARCISSISTIC_CINEPHILE21 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Synopsis: The film unfolds in two distinct acts, each offering a unique experience. However, its notable consistency becomes a stumbling block, potentially limiting the dynamism sought by viewers. Described as "very okaish," the overall product reflects a prevailing sense of mediocrity that permeates the narrative.

First Half: The initial half maintains a moderate pace until approximately 15 minutes before the intermission. Subsequently, the narrative experiences an upswing, albeit with a hint of hastiness. The abrupt demise of a pivotal character leaves little room for the audience to empathize. Comedic elements mostly miss the mark, save for a solitary scene. Clearly defined stakes fall short in justifying subsequent character actions, hindered by a screenplay marked with half-baked plots.

Second Half: Surpasses the first, with comedic lines landing effectively. However, the persistent screenplay issues persist. The film reaches its pinnacle in the final 15 minutes. Editing presents a challenge, particularly in emotional scenes with abrupt cuts that should have been extended for a more profound impact.

Musical Integration: The music, particularly in the second half, stands out as a strong suit, unmistakably signaling the distinctive touch of a Hirani film. It greatly enhances the cinematic experience, seamlessly blending with the storyline. However, there is a point where it becomes unexpectedly out of place, almost jarring, momentarily disrupting the narrative flow. Despite this hiccup, it doesn't overshadow the overall brilliance of the film's musical composition.

Final Verdict: Dunki, though a commendable effort, falls short of realizing the full potential of its talented cast, especially Vicky Kaushal, who has acted brilliantly, and the renowned Raj Kumar Hirani. While not his magnum opus, the film is deemed good without leaving a lasting impression. Despite some shortcomings, Dunki manages to showcase the undeniable talent of its creators and cast.
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4/10
This doesn't seem like a Rajkumar Hirani movie
vinaygupta-0330025 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The lack of vidhu Vinod Chopra was quite clearly evident. The whole movie was a drag. The screenplay was very poor. Acting was poor. Srk was doing his own mimicry. Vicky kaushal's career best performance my foot. Comedy was forced and stupid, of Kapil Sharma show level. 1st half was almost unbearable. 2nd half grew in terms of drama and emotions. Only the part where they return back to India seemed to have some life in it. You almost never care about anyone or anything in this movie. Neither Hirani it seems. The movie seemed to be a very casually undertaken project. As if Hirani worked on it as a side project. Overall, a big let down. May work for the NRIs down away from home or actual immigrants but not for the general audience at large.
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9/10
Made me laugh.. made me cry!
sohaibsays-7180323 December 2023
Made me laugh.. made me cry! Made me live a journey I never took.. made me feel emotions which I never knew existed- the desperation and the plight of people who take the "Dunki route".

Raju Hirani has created a masterpiece. Vicky, Tapsee and SRK have brought it to life as beautifully as possible. We rarely get to see such natural performances these days. Dil jeet lia sb hi ne.

It's more of an emotional drama than comedy. It's more of reality than fantasy.

Vicky's walk after *that* phone call, SRK's last scene at roof top, and the videography of "Nikle The Kabhi Hum Ghar Se" with all the flashbacks. Your eyes will be soaked in tears.

9 out of 10 stars for this magnum opus.

Its a must watch.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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1/10
Worst movie !
parissmartp18 February 2024
Please don't watch.it only gives you headache. Worst movie I have watched recently. Na sir na pair storyline. Worst humour. Totally time waste . Movie is so bad I immediately came here to write about it. I can't stopped myself to save entire movie lovers . I don't believe it's a Raju Hirani movie .overacting by srk is painful. Story is blunder. Forced laughter.

Unbelievable childish type story and forced humour makes you cry. After watching 20 minutes long I just punched myself. Still they are doing such type of stuff in movie. I can't believe it. Save your time and money and electricity and your precious mood .
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9/10
Lies in between good and better
rahmanuddinsyed21 December 2023
Between good and better but not great as Hirani sir does.

I would rank it 4th in Hirani's filmography.

The movie is based on dunki and the cast has their own stories especially SRK'S and Vicky kaushal's story were a cinema in itself the cast was outstanding but SRK and Vicky kaushal were great, SRK as Hardy is loveable , trustable and a great leader.

Positives: The stories and their subplots Cast and their performances SRK HIRANI The frames were just like wallpapers I loved the scale and quality of the film.

Dialogues were a big plus where my heart melted and yes comedy worked but you won't burst out laughing.

Negatives: Rushed screenplay took time to set up a story in 1St but then rushed in second half and also in emotional scenes My tears were ready but just then the scene was cut.

Movie had great album but was wasted in the movie And background score was not strong enough to support the emotionally loaded movie Last words to say had a pleasant watch.
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10/10
DUNKI is a Blockbuster
musmanaboubakar23 December 2023
Shahrukh Khan delivered two action-packed blockbusters this year, showcasing his versatility. Now, he ventures into comedy drama with "Dunki." Renowned as India's best entertainer, SRK brings his charm to this Hirani-directed film, promising a captivating story. Avoid comparing it to "Salaar," an action-packed movie benefiting from initial audience interest. Dunki is poised for long-term success, transcending initial days to become a super hit. SRK's unmatched entertainment quotient ensures it stands out, solidifying his position as a legendary entertainer in the industry.

We love you Shahrukh khan.
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7/10
An emotional rollercoaster
maestromanohar21 December 2023
The movie tells an important tale of how nothing feels like home, patriotism, just that it doesn't rise above the bar to become a masterpiece.

SRK leads the ship with a good act (happy that the Punjabi accent didn't come across jarring), Tapsee easily shines as the best of the lot, cameo by Vicky is impactful.

Technically fine for a feel good drama, music was wonderful and heart-stirring.

Coming to Rajkumar Hirani, the treatment is typical Hirani style, but the screenplay was too convenient and cinematic at places, which fails to pack a punch at last, overall it's not a great, but a really good movie.
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1/10
One of worst work from Raj kumar hirani and SRK
akhilnovakhil10 January 2024
VERY DISAPPOINTING to watch such a movie with no storyline and overacting by SRK. Raj kumar hirani used to highlight a good subject of society but in this movie it was nothing promising which is close to what Hirani is known for.

Now coming to SRK, why on earth he would agree to do such a film with no content and substance. It was like watching a piece of overacting by some good actors who are forced to do such acting.

Apart from the role of Vicky none of the role had any pivotal personality in the entire plot.

Overall it is a total waste of money and time so avoid this this lal singh chadha of SRK.
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10/10
Bundle of emotions and Jazbaat
salimunnao23 December 2023
Very emotional and heart touching movie... only an immigrant can feel the pain. The masterpiece of Rajkumar Hirani which is proved again that he is only the good storyteller but the content creator.. Rajkumar Hirani. You have proved yourself countless times and now you have done it to an extent that we can call you the greatest Indian film maker and director to have ever touched feet on this planet. This is one of the greatest films ever made in Indian Cinema. It is a Cinematic Marvel that makes us laugh out loud, feel close to home, defines what home truly means and most importantly, that there is nothing more beautiful in the world than having your loved ones with you.
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7/10
A good family drama
sdboral10023 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
DUNKI is a good family drama with full of emotions, humor, comedy. It has typical subtle comedy touches of Rajkumar Hirani. This film has some hard hitting moments also.

The film starts in London showing the present state of Manu(Tapsee Pannu), Buggu(Vikram Kochar), Balli(Anil Grover). The opening scene also shows current day scenario of Geetu Gulati(Boman Irani) & Hardy(SRK) in Laltu,Punjab.

Then film goes into flashback 25years back. In flashback how they all meet each other, that has been shown. Then the story proceeds and shows how they all struggle to get visa for london.

During this struggle period, backstory of Sukhi(Vicky Kaushal) is also shown. Hardy takes pledge to take Manu, Buggu & Balli to london via dunki route to fulfill their dream after Sukhi's death.

They face a lot of challenges to reach london via this illegal way. That has been shown here.

The challeges they face after reaching london, that has been shown in the 2nd half.

Finally they comeback to india to spend rest of their life with their family.

Pros:- 1. Music is strong point of this film. Music composed by Pritam suits every situation of the film. 'Lutt Putt Gaya' & 'O Maahi' by Arihit Singh lifts your mood. 'Banda' by Diljit Dosanj is attractive. 'Nikle they Kabhi Hum' hits you hard.

2. Acting wise SRK, Boman Irani, Tapsee, Vikram Kochar, Anil Grover is good. Vickey Kaushal does good job in the cameo role. Others also good.

3. VFX, CGI is good. Red Chilies team has done a good job in producing a convincing graphics.

Cons:- 1. This film has a run time of 2hr 40mins. Still some parts feel skipped due to fast paced screenplay writing. Viewers never get bored altough.

It could have been really great if this film was produced in 2 parts beacuse this topic has got a lot to show.

Conclusion:- A good family drama with full of humor, comedy, emotion that will give you a fresh mind amidst of the continuous release of action films.
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3/10
Just...BAD....
kunalmshah4 February 2024
There was a lot of promise and hope this would be a good movie. Raju Hirani movies have a reputation for being great. I feel that it should be taken into consideration that Raju hirani and Vidhu Vinod chopra make magic, not Raju hirani on his own. Sanju as a whole was not a good movie (despite amazing performances by ranbir and Vicky). Dunki is so much worse. SRK is not believable as a young man. The acting felt forced and fake. Storyline was so pretty bad. The movie is supposed to be wholesome and it is to some extent. Overall this movie is not good. I don't think I'm going to be wasting anymore money on SRK movies in the theater. Maybe on OTT if you have nothing special to do.
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10/10
It's an Absolute Masterpiece
dhritigupta-2021523 December 2023
Dunki is a phoneminal masterpiece created by Rajkumar Hirani. Its an roller coaster of emotions, all the characters have performed brilliantly. Shahrukh khan's best movie of the decade.

Movie starts with few people who aspire to leave India for their career prospect and the journey continues with roller coaster of emotions.

You will laugh with you family and on the same time cry with your family. Its a complete drama.

This movie has a touch of all the Hirani movies and the balance of every element is nicely blended. Just to add, the music did really a good job which completely helps to bring out the emotion.

The visionary is beautiful.
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6/10
Purely one time watch!!!
farhanhawk22 December 2023
The movie has a very basic plot which is predictable. The good thing the movie is it doesn't focus on SRK( coming from a SRK fan), everyone has an important role. You'll love Vicky kaushal's character. Music didn't feel enjoyable. Comedy bits here and there. The screenplay at points drags too long. Salaar might take over if the audience like it. The opening collection also doesn't seem to be impressive. Inspite being SRK fan I solely went to watch this movie for Raju sir. It wouldn't have hurt if this film wasn't made.

Conclusion - SRK fans may like it, others would want to wait for Ott release.
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1/10
It couldn't have been worse.
anuashoknair21 December 2023
Other than one scene(IELTS speaking test), it was physically painful to watch the entire movie. Even good actors like Vicky Kaushal was so extra. Cringe dialogues and most of the story was predictable. There are billions of people in India and I refuse to believe we don't have talent to make a good movie with a great story. I think talented people are not getting any chance. I can't believe none of people involved in the movie thought how pathetic the entire movie is. There wasn't a single nice song. And the choreography is one of the songs was so bad! They tried to send a social message which was totally pointless and illogical.
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9/10
Breath of fresh air
nepany_boats23 December 2023
Absolutely sweet lovely adorable family friendly movie.

Dunki is kind of desert for cine goers for year 2023. Its a palate cleanser.

The movie deals with an emotional but unfortunate true event of poverty stricken village dwellers and their illegal journey to land of dream.

All the actors have done such a fabulous job you would love them,smile with them and cry with them. The movie has soul. Director has done his job brilliantly and so does the writers.

The music and songs of the movie are some other salient features .Absolutely breathtaking cinematography is another plus point of the movie. What a dream run Mr Khan have had these year. The Khan the actor is back and back with bang bang and bang.
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10/10
Must Watch for Movie lovers
premusha21 December 2023
Definitely one of the best movie of 2023 and by far the best from Indian 🇮🇳 cinema.

It would be remiss if I start this review without first and foremost mentioning the absolutely outstanding world-class performance from #ShahRukhKhan. Dunki will be crowning jewel of his career.

The film is absolutely beautiful, it excels in all the department starting from writing, directing and fast screenplay with zero dull moment.

The narrative is absolutely heartwarming, Unafraid to shy away from harsh realities of life, struggle of immigrants throughout their journey from one country to another.

Dunki tells us about the amazing story of 5 friends with each dealing their own problem of life and trying to change it. Each dealing with their own struggle and deep seated pain and finding solace by helping each other.

Overall, I think this is easily one of the best of this year with strong performance, excellent direction and a unique plot. I think it's vital that movie lovers like ourselves go out and support this effort, must see for everyone.
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From Laltu to London: Greatness Unleashed.
mughalanees22 December 2023
This is the movie that most of us craving, for a long period of time. I thought all the best stories already been told and then came this masterpeice.

Credit to all the makers, actors and everyone involved in creating such a beautiful movie.

Shahrukh khan and Bollywood best movie of the year, taapse pannu best movie of all time. And the supporting cast was also showed great emotions.

Sad to say but we may have to wait about 10 years again to see this kind of simple yet great movie as cinema focus is shifted towards big budget, vulgur, action movies with no stories at all.

#Make more movies like this...
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6/10
Far off from Rajkumar Hirani excellence!
SoumikBanerjee199623 December 2023
I just came back from my evening show of "Dunki," and I must concede, there were better expectations on my end for a 'Hirani' directorial. Let us not waste any time and discuss it in detail.

Starting with...

Positives:

Emotional Connect: Rajkumar Hirani may have lost his old charm; he may be struggling to put forth the same magic his movies used to have, but he still knows how to make his audiences emotionally invested in his stories. There were a handful of instances where I felt genuine empathy for the characters; my eyes got moist because of their circumstances, and I started caring for them.

Underlying Messaging: The people who are interpreting (or misinterpreting) the story to be an endorsement of illegal immigration should reevaluate their thoughts as the narrative suggests the exact opposite. The writing not only showcases the horrifying consequences one may have to face because of such misadventures but also the harsh realities of many who go to foreign countries looking to settle down, seeking better lives for themselves and their loved ones. Many dreams remain unfulfilled; not everything that glitters is gold!

Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal: Two undeniable standouts in the show. They both have done commendable work in their solo projects before, yes, but to collaborate with two of the biggest names in the industry (Rajkumar Hirani and Shahrukh Khan) speaks of their determination and hunger for prominent roles.

Now moving on to...

Negatives:

Lack of detailing: As this is based on 'Donkey' routes, i.e., the illegal ways of transporting immigrants, I anticipated scenes that would clearly delineate the procedures and lay out the plans in great detail, but Hirani did not do that; he chose to keep it rather simple, possibly to reach a wider audience base. I understand his intentions but couldn't advocate for them.

Middling third act: The first half is great, actually I had the most fun in there, but as the story progresses, the magic seems to fade out, the movie loses its charm and rhythm post-intermission, and the organic flow of trademark Raju Hirani literature was nowhere to be found. Suffice to say, I was surprised.

Lastly, it's time for...

Mixed:

Lackluster Comedy: Some scenes made me chuckle; a couple of them made me laugh out loud (that platform scene with SRK was hilarious, and it was a clever product placement as well), but most of the gags and one-liners did not work in the way I wanted them to; most of them fell absolutely flat.

Shahrukh Khan: What I'm about to say now will infuriate a bunch of people, I know, but as somebody who had admired SRK in many of his earlier movies, I feel I need to speak out the truth, which is that he struggles here-quite a lot, actually. He's at his charming best when he needs to indulge in lighthearted moments, but whenever the focus shifts to emotional scenes, where he has to convey his rawest feelings and let himself be completely vulnerable, he tends to suffer drastically, and it showed (for example, the courtroom scene in front of the judge).

In summation, "Dunki" is a decent family entertainer that does enough to hold your attention but not quite enough to produce a lingering impression! Far off from Hirani excellence.
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1/10
Nonsense flick
mithunchakrabortymc17 February 2024
Really don't know what made Rajkumar Hirani to made this movie... Utterly nonsense... so many illogical illustrations throughout the flick... Thank God didn't waste my time and money behind this movie... Gone through so many mixed reviews, no offense but whoever has given positive reviews toward this movie were just SRK lovers that's it. No gripping storyline, script writer was high with drugs, poor direction. Really couldn't believe this was the same director who has given classic movies like Munnabhai MBBS series... Although only positive thing was Vicky Kaushal's role and performance.......
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