Shah Rukh Khan's 'Dunki' may return as US deportations spark renewed interest

Over the past year, the Indian film industry has seen a growing trend of old movies, typically films from several decades ago, being re-released. This time, however, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s "Dunki" might be making a return to theatres much sooner than expected.

Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, "Dunki" originally hit the big screen in late 2023.

According to Bollywood Hungama, the film has regained relevance due to recent deportations of Indian immigrants from the United States. As a result, production house Red Chillies Entertainment is considering a re-release, with film distributors also showing interest in bringing it back to theatres.

In "Dunki", Shah Rukh stars alongside Taapsee Pannu, with supporting roles played by Satish Shah, Boman Irani, and Vicky Kaushal.

The story follows Hardayal Singh, or "Hardy", played by Shah Rukh, who helps his Punjabi friends migrate to the UK through illegal routes. The film sheds light on the hardships and dangers faced by undocumented immigrants.

When asked about the possible re-release, Hirani said he had no official confirmation but agreed that the film remains relevant in today’s context.

Shah Rukh made a grand return to the silver screen in 2023 after a four-year hiatus with the blockbuster "Pathaan", a film that not only revived his career but also played a key role in Bollywood’s post-pandemic resurgence. Later that year, "Jawan" was released and became another massive hit.

Capping off the year, “Dunki” premiered in December 2023. Though it didn’t break box office records, it received positive reviews from critics, and Shah Rukh himself described it as a deeply personal project.