Dunki: Cinematographer Amit Roy quits Shah Rukh Khan film over ‘creative differences’ with director Rajkumar Hirani

Ever since it was announced, all eyes have been on Dunki, Shah Rukh Khan’s first-ever collaboration with director Rajkumar Hirani. The film, which also has Taapsee Pannu in the lead, is one of the most highly-anticipated Hindi films currently, so, naturally, any news about it is bound to gather a lot of eyeballs. In the last couple of days, the film has been in the news, alas for an unexpected reason - turns out that cinematographer Amit Roy has walked out of the project and already moved on with something else.

Following Amit’s departure from Dunki, rumour mills went into overdrive suggesting that leading man Shah Rukh had orchestrated his exit. In a conversation with ETimes, Amit set the record straight, and said that he had creative differences with Rajkumar and not Shah Rukh and was hence leaving the team amicably.

The cinematographer, who had shot for the film for about 18-19 days, confirmed that he was no longer working on Dunki. He was quoted as saying that he had creative differences with Raju Hirani on how to present the film. “We both couldn't see from the same angle. But the parting was very amicable. We both sat down and then I quit. Honestly, I didn't want it to reach a stage of friction," he told the publication.

Interestingly, Dunki was not Amit’s first collaboration with Rajkumar. He had shot the Baba Hai Bas Ho Gaya song from Sanju', as well as several television commercials with the filmmaker. Amit also said that while the circumstance that led to him quitting was unfortunate, the team would retain all the portions that he shot for the film.

Production on Dunki had begun in April 2022, with the first schedule wrapped up recently. In an earlier conversation with Pinkvilla, Rajkumar had said that a collaboration with Shah Rukh was high up on his wish list. “Through the course of my career, Shah Rukh Khan has always been on my wish list and after trying to collaborate several times in the past, we were finally destined to have Dunki mark our partnership. The energy, charisma, humour and charm that he brings to a film is unparalleled and I look forward to bringing that magic to the big screen,” the filmmaker was quoted as saying.

On the work front, Shah Rukh will return to the big screen after a four-year hiatus with Pathaan, a film directed by Siddharth Anand, which also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham. He is also preparing for his forthcoming film Jawan, directed by Atlee Kumar, in which he will co-star with Nayanthara and Sanya Malhotra.

As for Taapsee, well, the actress is gearing up for the release of the sports drama Shabaash Mithu, which is due to hit theatres on July 15. The film, directed by Srijit Mukherji, is the biopic of Indian cricketer Mithali Raj. Additionally, Taapsee is working on a few other movies, including Do Baaraa, Blurr, and Tadka.