Dunki Review: Simplistic Storytelling With a Rousing Vicky Kaushal Cameo

Prathyush Parasuraman

The LCD Principle of Emotion

Rajkumar Hirani's creative approach, defined by the LCD principle (Laugh, Cry, Drama), employs careful emotional manipulation, aiming to make scenes resonate with the heart, showcasing a unique and meticulous approach to storytelling.

Heart-Head Dichotomy

Exploring the conservative notion of a dichotomy between heart and head, Hirani challenges the idea that thinking and feeling are separate entities, emphasizing the difficulty in bridging the emotional and intellectual aspects of storytelling.

Emotional Chasms

Examining the challenge when viewers can see through narrative manipulation, Hirani's film Dunki is described as an exploration of emotional chasms, where the audience's emotional state clashes with the director's intended impact, creating an unbridgeable gap.

Hirani's Sincere Revolution

Rajkumar Hirani's cinema, characterized by sincerity and a lack of irony, is portrayed as a revolutionary force poking holes at societal institutions with the powerful tool of the glycerine monologue, showcasing a unique and earnest filmmaking style.

Ambition of Characters

Dunki's ambitious exploration of the immigration system, including visas, passports, and borders, is examined, emphasizing the grandeur of tackling a global institution. The critique suggests that such ambition requires both heart and thought for a compelling narrative.

Awkward Emotional Landscape

The film Dunki's awkward emotional register, marked by a combination of toying scores and fragmented writing, is criticized for characters living too much off-screen, relying heavily on backstories and struggling to be present, resulting in a disjointed and unsatisfying narrative.