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Rajkumar Hirani admits Shah Rukh Khan's Dunki didn’t live up to expectations: 'Difficult to say how people will react to the story'

Rajkumar Hirani shared that his film Dunki, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Taapsee Pannu, didn’t meet box office expectations. He admitted its underperformance.

Rajkumar Hirani admits Shah Rukh Khan's Dunki didn’t live up to expectations: 'Difficult to say how people will react to the story'
Shah Rukh Khan in a still from Dunki

Last Updated: 02.57 PM, Feb 03, 2025

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According to recent comments made by Rajkumar Hirani, his most recent film, Dunki, failed to meet his financial objectives. In addition to Shah Rukh Khan, the film also featured Taapsee Pannu in the major female role. Vicky Kaushal, who received multiple praises for his role in the 2023 film, also made an extended cameo appearance.

Making of Dunki and its unique story

Interviewed by Komal Nahta for his YouTube channel Game Changers, Hirani discussed the making of Dunki and the film's box office results. The filmmaker, in collaboration with Abhijat Joshi, consistently strives to come up with a unique idea for a film that has never been seen before. The story of Dunki began when he heard of a place in the world where individuals lacked the proper documentation to leave India, particularly in the city of Ludhiana. The stories were humorous and tragic at the same time. The funny thing is, these so-called English teachers have no idea what they're teaching.

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Hirani went on to say that creating the screenplay for the film was undoubtedly no lightweight undertaking. After a while, though, they came to believe that the film actually delivers on its promises of entertainment and plot. But it's hard to predict how viewers will respond to the narrative. People respond differently to different stories. He hasn't figured out what works yet.

Though they claim luck, they work hard on all their projects and sometimes succeed.

Rajkumar Hirani admits Dunki underperformed at the box office

On the other hand, Hirani wasted little time responding to the question, "One film that did worse than you anticipated at the box office," with Dunki.

An English escape is the lifelong goal of four friends from a small Punjabi town. The issue they are facing is that they do not possess either the visa or the ticket. When a soldier gets off a train one day, everything changes. With the oath of a soldier, he promises to lead them to their ideal homeland. What follows is an entertaining and touching account of a daring voyage across the sea and desert, but most importantly, through the hinterlands of their thoughts. Their bravery, intelligence, and the strain of their competing philosophies will be tested and defined on this journey. Above all else, Dunki is a love story about friendships, boundaries, homesickness, and love.

Dunki box office lifetime collection

According to Sacnilk, the film's lifetime collection was Rs. 454 crore.

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