Rajkumar Hirani Opens Up on Dunki Underperformance at the Box Office

Rajkumar Hirani has admitted that his film Dunki, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Taapsee Pannu, failed to meet box office expectations. In a recent interview, Hirani shared that the film's underperformance was a disappointment, despite its unique storyline and talented cast. Dunki, which also featured Vicky Kaushal in an extended cameo, tells the story of four friends from a small Punjabi town who embark on a daring journey to reach their ideal homeland.

Hirani discussed the making of Dunki and its box office results in an interview with Komal Nahta. The filmmaker, who collaborates with Abhijat Joshi, strives to come up with unique ideas for his films. The story of Dunki began when Hirani heard about individuals lacking proper documentation to leave India, particularly in Ludhiana. The stories were both humorous and tragic, and Hirani was drawn to the idea of creating a film around it.

Hirani admitted that creating the screenplay for Dunki was a challenging task. Despite their best efforts, it's difficult to predict how audiences will respond to a film. "People respond differently to different stories," Hirani said. "I haven't figured out what works yet." The filmmaker acknowledged that luck plays a role in a film's success, but emphasized the hard work that goes into creating a movie.

Despite its underperformance, Dunki has still managed to leave a mark on audiences. The film's lifetime collection was Rs. 454 crore, a respectable amount considering its unique storyline and talented cast. While Dunki may not have met Hirani's expectations, it remains a notable film in his oeuvre, and its legacy will continue to be felt in the years to come.