Hirani is known for his cinematic masterpieces. His choice of topics , his way of presenting them all, everything caters to family and youth audience and his way of presenting is smart and catchy
Dunki is about the Donkey route taken by illegal migrants to venture into another country of their dreams. Hirani makes a film on this largely non relatable topic and tries to add his flavors to it but i feel the output is largely average forgettable film or at the max, a one time watch.
The part of Dunki where every Indian can actually relate is missing their homes while staying away for job or schooling purpose. This is the only part that evokes high emotions. The rest of the film didnt evoke as much emotions as i would have expected.
In the first half, Hirani follows his usual trope of light hearted comedy. It works fairly well, especially during the IELTS sequence and interviews. There is this weird uncanny similarity to 3 idiots comedy in the first half...from a drunk class sequence...to SRK abusing the wrong person at night to the result checking sequence, all remind you of 3 idiots. In fact some normal sequences also remind you of 3 idiots. The entire Vicky Kaushal sequence has an uncanny similarity to Joy Lobo's sequence, the way Mannu, Guddu, Balli regather in their old age to meet Hardy reminds you of Farhan and Raju regathering to meet Rancho. I almost felt Hirani tried to recreate some 3 idiots sequences for Dunki but in different ways so as to not get exposed.
The second half is where the film falters a lot . It has some emotional moments and some laughs, but overall, the second half doesnt really evoke much emotions largely due to the non relatable illegal immigrant topic. Hence the film does fall way short of being memorable.
Vicky Kaushal has to be stand out performer here yet again after Sam Bahadur. He has had a memorable year. His desperation and his pain can be seen through his expressions. Vikram Kocchar is next with his amazing comic timing and so is Arun Grover (Sunil Grover's brother). I liked the fact that SRK doesnt steal all the screen space being the bigger star than all, he too gives a good performance but nothing memorable like Amir Khan in 3 idiots (if you look carefully, SRK is nothing but the Rancho of this film, even saying "Sab Changga si" instead of "Aal izz well"). Tapsee is also decent but nothing extraordinary.
Songs are the highlight point of this film. All of them are just terrific. Chal Ve Watna and Nikle they kabhi hum ghar se really tug at your heart. Lutt putt gaya is one of the most fun loving songs of this year, and has this Aal izz well like enjoyment to it. Maahi Ve is a beautiful song and is going to be a sensation .
Overall, a decent film but not of Hirani's sky high standards. Did Hirani miss the mark here by not working with his best friend Vidhu Vinod ? Because Vidhu Vinod himself managed to churn out a masterpiece in the same here but Hirani failed. I think VVC's inputs would have greatly helped Hirani in the emotional parts of the film. Weakest Hirani project. Weakest Hirani project.
Dunki is about the Donkey route taken by illegal migrants to venture into another country of their dreams. Hirani makes a film on this largely non relatable topic and tries to add his flavors to it but i feel the output is largely average forgettable film or at the max, a one time watch.
The part of Dunki where every Indian can actually relate is missing their homes while staying away for job or schooling purpose. This is the only part that evokes high emotions. The rest of the film didnt evoke as much emotions as i would have expected.
In the first half, Hirani follows his usual trope of light hearted comedy. It works fairly well, especially during the IELTS sequence and interviews. There is this weird uncanny similarity to 3 idiots comedy in the first half...from a drunk class sequence...to SRK abusing the wrong person at night to the result checking sequence, all remind you of 3 idiots. In fact some normal sequences also remind you of 3 idiots. The entire Vicky Kaushal sequence has an uncanny similarity to Joy Lobo's sequence, the way Mannu, Guddu, Balli regather in their old age to meet Hardy reminds you of Farhan and Raju regathering to meet Rancho. I almost felt Hirani tried to recreate some 3 idiots sequences for Dunki but in different ways so as to not get exposed.
The second half is where the film falters a lot . It has some emotional moments and some laughs, but overall, the second half doesnt really evoke much emotions largely due to the non relatable illegal immigrant topic. Hence the film does fall way short of being memorable.
Vicky Kaushal has to be stand out performer here yet again after Sam Bahadur. He has had a memorable year. His desperation and his pain can be seen through his expressions. Vikram Kocchar is next with his amazing comic timing and so is Arun Grover (Sunil Grover's brother). I liked the fact that SRK doesnt steal all the screen space being the bigger star than all, he too gives a good performance but nothing memorable like Amir Khan in 3 idiots (if you look carefully, SRK is nothing but the Rancho of this film, even saying "Sab Changga si" instead of "Aal izz well"). Tapsee is also decent but nothing extraordinary.
Songs are the highlight point of this film. All of them are just terrific. Chal Ve Watna and Nikle they kabhi hum ghar se really tug at your heart. Lutt putt gaya is one of the most fun loving songs of this year, and has this Aal izz well like enjoyment to it. Maahi Ve is a beautiful song and is going to be a sensation .
Overall, a decent film but not of Hirani's sky high standards. Did Hirani miss the mark here by not working with his best friend Vidhu Vinod ? Because Vidhu Vinod himself managed to churn out a masterpiece in the same here but Hirani failed. I think VVC's inputs would have greatly helped Hirani in the emotional parts of the film. Weakest Hirani project. Weakest Hirani project.