‘Why Dunki Didn’t Connect with everyone’: Rajkumar Hirani makes surprising claimabout visas and Middle-Class audiences

Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani has opened up about the mixed response to his 2023 film Dunki, offering an interesting perspective on why the movie may not have struck a chord with all sections of the audience.

Starring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role, Dunki explored the complex and often dangerous world of illegal immigration. While the film performed reasonably well at the box office, it failed to recreate the massive success enjoyed by Hirani’s earlier blockbusters such as 3 Idiots, PK, and Sanju. It also found itself overshadowed by Shah Rukh Khan’s other 2023 releases, Pathaan and Jawan, both of which shattered box office records.

‘Every Film Has Its Own Audience’

Reflecting on the reception of Dunki, Hirani explained that certain stories naturally appeal to a wider audience than others.

According to the director, films like 3 Idiots, which focused on India’s education system, resonated across households because the subject touched nearly every family. In contrast, Dunki dealt with the issue of illegal immigration a reality experienced by a much smaller section of society.

“Every film touches different people differently,” Hirani said, adding that while Dunki may not have connected universally, it deeply resonated with people who had lived through similar experiences.

Messages From Across the World

The filmmaker revealed that even today he receives messages from viewers living abroad, particularly in countries such as Canada and the United States, who relate closely to the film’s narrative.

Many of these viewers, he said, shared stories of hardship, loneliness, and regret after leaving their homeland in search of a better life. Their responses convinced him that the film successfully captured the emotional realities faced by migrants, even if the subject remained niche for mainstream audiences.

The Visa Factor

One of Hirani’s most talked-about observations was his belief that many middle-class moviegoers could not fully connect with the desperation shown in Dunki because obtaining visas is often not an impossible challenge for them.

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He pointed out that a large section of India’s theatre-going audience belongs to the middle class and generally has access to resources, documentation, and financial stability that improve their chances of receiving travel visas.

However, he emphasized that there are millions of people who do not enjoy those advantages.

According to Hirani, individuals without financial security, bank balances, or opportunities often find themselves trapped by circumstances, unable to legally travel abroad even if they desperately want to improve their lives.

A Film About an Overlooked Reality

At its core, Dunki attempted to shine a light on the struggles of people willing to risk everything in pursuit of opportunities beyond their borders. While the subject may not have enjoyed the universal appeal of Hirani’s previous films, the director believes it highlighted a reality that deserves attention.

Despite the divided response, Hirani remains proud of the film and the conversations it sparked among those who identified with its message.

As debates around migration and global opportunities continue, Dunki may ultimately be remembered as a film that chose a less-travelled path one that connected deeply with a specific audience, even if it didn’t become a unanimous crowd-pleaser.