Mega Reg

*Potential Spoilers* Dunki" attempts to address the issue of illegal migration and its emotional toll, but falls short of delivering a cohesive story. The film's exploration of characters' lives post-deportation could have delved deeper into the harsh realities of illegal immigrants working in the UK - we skip forward 25 years. The forced humor in scenes like Buggu's mop incident in the pub felt out of place. The film does well in portraying the extreme challenges illegal immigrants face during the Iran journey, shedding light on the additional struggles women endure with sexual abuse/harrasment. However, a forced sense of patriotism permeates the movie, particularly in SRK's courtroom monologue, which feels detached from the likely reaction a true asylum seeker would express. The movie's overarching message on immigration is puzzling. The assertion that 140 years ago there were no visa requirements oversimplifies the complex present-day dynamics, like 1000’s of daily flights that travel around the world. The argument about the British staying in India for a century without visas or learning the language is a valid point in debate but the characters are saying it to try justify their actions, which turns them from someone you’re sympathetic towards to someone who seems arrogant. SRK's comments on UK visa standards and the £1 million+ requirement oversimplify the immigration process. While the film is not a documentary, accuracy matters. The portrayal of living conditions for illegal immigrants is a plus, it is accurate and shows the true reality of immigrants in the UK, but the Dubai/Saudi Arabia sequences feel like it was out of ‘Happy New Year’. The film struggles with its identity, fighting between serious emotional moments and forced comedy. SRK's attempt to recapture past glory seems mismatched with the film's mature theme. Taapsee Pannu delivers a compelling performance, bringing authenticity to her character. The supporting cast excels, and technical aspects, aside from minor location discrepancies, are well-executed. In conclusion, "Dunki" earns a high 2 stars, possibly reaching a low 3. While the cast and acting impress, the film's message and jittery story shifts make it a difficult watch. Despite its flaws, the movie contributes to shedding light on the issues of illegal immigration and the struggles faced by Indians abroad, an important step for mass media awareness so I would still recommend people watch. It is a shame though that so much more could have been done with this topic/story.