Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is all set to deliver third mega hit of the year with his recent released film Dunki, directed by Rajkumar Hirani.
Dunki is a comedy-drama film that marks the first collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani, who is known for his blockbuster films like Munna Bhai series, PK, 3 Idiots and Sanju. The film also stars Boman Irani, Vicky Kaushal and Taapsee Pannu in pivotal roles. The film is co-written by Hirani, Abhijat Joshi and Kanika Dhillon.
We bring exclusively to you few questions answered by Shah Rukh, Taapsee and Rajkumar Hirani themselves with regards to the film in a video chat. Here are some highlights:
Can Dunki despite not being a mass entertainer like Jawan and Pathaan, revive the success of content driven films at box office?
Shah Rukh Khan answers saying that “The films are entertainment oriented, kisi bhi tarah se hamare dil ko bhaaye. I don’t think Pathaan and Jawan were mass films, they were entertaining films. With honesty I can say, there’s never been more entertaining director than Rajkumar Hirani. What I’ve learnt in last 8 years is that films are a director’s medium. We hero heroines we all play a part in it, we all try to be as good as we can be but it is ultimately a director’s medium. Inshallah, Dunki will be a very entertaining film and lots and lots of people will watch it because lots and lots of people watch Rajkumar Hirani film.” He wittily adds “aajkal meri bhi dekh hi rahe hain.”
Jab Dunki ki casting ke liye jo pehle phone aapke paas aaya tha, woh kya tha, kaise tha aur aapka reaction kya tha
Taapsee answers, “it was very funny because I received first call from Raju sir only but before that, it had appeared at a lot of places that I’m being considered for this film or I’m doing this film. Just like any other rumour I dismissed it saying that this is not possible. I was very happy just listening to this rumour only but then I got a call from sir and he said ki media ne toh bata hi diya hai, maine socha main bhi phone karke bata hi dun. I was shooting for a South film that time and he said I’ll narrate the story once you come back. That was the only rumour which was good and actually came true.”
One way in which Dunki is a typical Rajkumar Hirani film and one way in which it is not a typical Rajkumar Hirani film?
Rajkumar Hirani says, “There is laughter in the film, there’s a lot of emotion in the film, you will laugh and cry in the film. And what’s perhaps slightly different in the film is that this film has a little action too.” He cheekily adds, “inspired by Pathaan and Jawan” bursting all three of them into laughter.
What was your first reaction when you were told that the film would be called Dunki or Donkey
SRK says, “It felt really good, since I’m from Delhi I’ve a fair idea that in Punjabi accent, Donkey is called Dunki. I didn’t know about Dunki maarna or donkey route earlier, that was very new to me. Raju sir and I were planning film for sometime but one thing is very clear about him that unless he’s really happy with the story, he doesn’t make the film. That’s why this also took one to one and a half years and in his unassuming manner, Raju sir suggested we should call the film Dunki which I really liked too. It’s a fantastic title, despite the fact that many people may not understand but then I thought no one understood even PK as a title. When people went for that, so we thought they’ll come for this too. I really liked the title, I am one for interesting titles and Raju sir is one for interesting films and titles. It made me very happy that the film is called Dunki.”
Everyone wants to be a part of a Rajkumar Hirani film, what really sets him apart from other directors?
Taapsee says, “I think there are few directors whose name pulls the audience to theaters. Raju sir name belongs to such few rare directors, then by default no actor would want to refuse a Rajkumar Hirani film. Secondly, as an actor I’ve realised now that how simply he’s narrated a complex topic in this film. If someone wants to learn that he or she should learn from him. No matter who the audience is, Raju sir is able to make them understand any topic no matter how complex in a very simple way. That’s the beauty of his films.”
Shah Rukh Khan ko direct karte hue unke charm se bachna kitna mushkil hai?
Rajkumar Hirani said “Sir ye poori film maine aankhon mein patti baandh ke ki hai” upon which both SRK and Taapsee burst into a laughter. He continued, “Fir bhi awaz se charm ho jaata tha toh Kabhi kabhi earplugs bhi laga leta tha, fir assistant nakalta tha aur kehta tha ki shot ho gaya and maine kaha – Very good!”
The film is about immigrants. Jab aapne iss par research ki what were the stories that moved you the most?
Shah Rukh answered, “Jaisi meri zindagi beeti hai waise inn cheezon ke baare mein itni mujhe information or knowledge nahi thi. Jab Raju sir ne uss film ki kahaani batani shuru ki ki aisa hota hai Punjab mein aur baaki ke 2-3 ilaakon mein bhi, poore desh bhar mein, there area lot of places like this, even in South. Toh the most touching part of this thing was that inspite of all issues and troubles, apni zindagi ko aage badhane ke liye insaan kya kya hadd paar kar jaata hai kya sarhad paar kar jaata hai. I think to me that struggle makes other struggles like of ours seem very small. Kitni inteha kis limit par insaan pahunch chuka hai usko aisa kadam uthana padta hai apne parivaar ko chodh kar jana padta to make a future so that he or she can come back. Not just internationally, even inter state this is valid where people migrate for better earnings. During covid people needed to just go back home and there was an exodus. Even May be Raju sir subconsciously also felt it. For me someone leaving their house for a dream and internally realising even the dream may not come true. Har kisi ko mukammal jahan nahi milta. I think all that’s emotionally stirring and touching as a story especially in Dunki and otherwise also as a story of humanity.”
Shah Rukh even shared a picture that he found very interesting how people pray to go to abroad and how a Gurudwara is dedicated to it called visa wala gurudwara. Raju Hirani shared how there are toy planes sold outside the Gurudwara which people take inside as an offering and show passport to God to make their wishes fulfilled. There are 1000s of people who believe in this and do this everyday.
Shah Rukh adds that because it’s a factual story, emotion wise it’s based on homecoming, we all have moved to better pastures to make a better living. He shoes another picture and stares that 1 million people are caught crossing borders illegally every year. Hirani says that only 7 percent of population has passports and for first world country visa, only minuscule percentage is able to.
Watch the entire video exclusively here:
Dunki also stars Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Vikram Kochhar, Anil Grover, Boman Irani, among others in pivotal roles and marks the first collaboration of Shah Rukh Khan with filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani.
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