Rajkumar Hirani’s film ‘Dunki’, featuring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role, had a promising start at the domestic box office. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the movie managed to earn Rs 30 crore on its first day, which was December 21, according to industry tracker Sacnilk.
However, when compared to Shah Rukh’s other films in 2023, ‘Dunki’ had the lowest opening. His previous films, ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Jawan’, were blockbuster hits and earned Rs 57 crore and Rs 89.5 crore respectively on their opening days.
‘Dunki’, presented by JIO Studios, Red Chillies Entertainment, and Rajkumar Hirani Films, was released on December 21, a day before Hombale Films’ “Salaar”. While the film had a good start at the box office, its performance will be influenced by Prabhas’ “Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire”.
Film trade analyst Sumit Kadel shared the day 1 update of ‘Dunki’ on X (formerly Twitter) and mentioned that the collection is expected to increase over the weekend due to positive word of mouth.
“Dunki Day 1 is projected to surpass Rs 30 Cr in India, according to early estimates. This is a strong opening considering the social drama genre and the fact that it was released on a non-holiday midweek. Positive word of mouth could lead to excellent trending from Saturday to Monday!,” he wrote.
Dunki, a comedy-drama film centered around friendships, borders, nostalgia for home, and love, is renowned for its portrayal of the illegal immigration technique known as ‘donkey flight’. The movie boasts an impressive cast including Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Boman Irani, Vikram Kochhar, and Anil Grover.
During an event in Dubai, Shah Rukh Khan expressed his deep connection to Dunki. He revealed, “After making Jawan, a film for both boys and girls, I realized I hadn’t made anything for myself. That’s when I decided to create Dunki. This film holds a special place in my heart. Starting the year with Pathaan, which prioritized women, I wanted to conclude the year with a film that resonates with me personally. Therefore, I urge you all to watch Dunki on December 21. It is a movie that will touch your heart and bring laughter to your soul,” as reported by ANI.