Shah Rukh Khan ruled the box office in 2023! After the glorious successes of Pathaan and Jawan at the box office, he has another big-ticket film in his pocket, Dunki, directed by Rajkumar Hirani. While public reviews were mixed, the film’s global box office performance continues to impress, now approaching the Rs 450 crore mark.
The film’s production house, Red Chillies Entertainment, took to Twitter with a poster celebrating Dunki’s box office success, calling it a “global celebration of entertainment.” Shah Rukh’s fans quickly joined the online celebration, with some predicting it to cross the Rs 450 crore mark this weekend and others even aiming for the Rs 500 crore milestone.
Dunki is the story of four friends, Manu, Sukhi, Buggu, and Balli, who embark on a difficult journey to chase their dreams of a better life in London without a visa. The film, presented by JIO Studios, Red Chillies Entertainment, and Rajkumar Hirani Films, faces stiff competition from the action-packed Salaar: Part 1: Ceasefire, which surpassed Rs 600 crore and is now eyeing the Rs 700 crore club.
Despite the competition and mixed reviews, Dunki’s consistent box office growth is noteworthy. In a recent interview with PTI, Rajkumar Hirani said, “It’s an Indian story, which in Hindi cinema no one thought about. I’m happy with the response. Sometimes it will be massive, and sometimes it will be different. It is a successful film, and people are going for it, and people like it. I don’t think one should ever worry about box office numbers. If the attention is there, then it’s a big trap.”
Dunki’s box office success can be due to several factors:
- Shah Rukh Khan’s massive fan following: Having the stardom of Shah Rukh, his screen presence after a gap of 4 years was eagerly awaited. With the back-to-back successes of Pathan and Jawan, the audience was eager to find out whether it would be a hattrick for the superstar.
- Rajkumar Hirani’s reputation: Known for delivering heartwarming and socially relevant films like 3 Idiots and PK, and now with 12th fail, Hirani’s name drew immense audience interest.
- The trending theme of immigration: The film tackles the sensitive topic of illegal immigration, resonating with many viewers who have personal experiences or connections to the issue.
While the jury’s still out on the film’s critical reception, its box office performance speaks volumes.
One undeniable highlight of the movie was undoubtedly the performance by Vicky Kaushal. Even with a small role, he stole the show with his captivating and stellar performance. The way he portrayed his character as ‘Sukhi’ and lit himself on fire with such raw emotions in the scene still leaves the audience with goosebumps.
Dunki has proven that audiences are still eager for feel-good stories with a touch of social commentary, even if they come with mixed reviews. Whether it reaches the Rs 500 crore mark or not, Dunki’s journey at the box office is one to watch!
