Dunki Drop 1: Shah Rukh Khan reevaluates patriotism in Rajkumar Hirani’s bittersweet tale about migrants

The first teaser for Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dunki was released on the actor’s birthday on Thursday, and it introduces fans to the whimsical world created by director Rajkumar Hirani, best known for blockbusters Munna Bhai MBBS and 3 Idiots. In Dunki, Shah Rukh Khan plays a man named Hardy, who desperately wants to move to London along with his buddies. Taapsee Pannu plays a character named Manu, and Vicky Kaushal stars as Sukhi. It appears that the film is set in Punjab, where youngsters are keen on moving abroad as they search for a better life.

The opening visuals of the teaser show Shah Rukh Khan’s Hardy and a group of people walking across the desert, dressed in black as a suspicious man shoots at them. The teaser also shows glimpses of supporting character, one of whom is played by Boman Irani. The overall tone is far removed from the stylish violence of Pathaan and Jawan, Shah Rukh’s two big blockbusters of 2023, which have grossed a combined total of over Rs 2100 crore worldwide. Dunki seems like a more innocent film, but it retains themes of patriotism that Shah Rukh has often unpacked in his films across the years.

Watch Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki teaser here:

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Shah Rukh Khan has had the most successful year of his career in 2023. He started the year with Siddharth Anand’s Pathaan, also starring Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, and recently had the biggest hit of the year with Atlee’s Jawan, which also starred Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara and Deepika. SRK’s films in 2023 have grossed over Rs 2100 crore worldwide and it remains to be seen if Dunki can match up to the success of Pathaan and Jawan.

Rajkumar Hirani, who has made films like 3 Idiots, PK, and the Munna Bhai series, has never had a flop at the box office. The film marks his return to direction after 2018’s Sanju, which was also a blockbuster.