The 2023 Indian comedy drama film Dunki is based on the illegal immigration tactic known as “donkey flight.” Produced under the aegis of Red Chillies Entertainment, Jio Studios, and Rajkumar Hirani Films, it was directed and edited by Rajkumar Hirani from a script he authored with Abhijat Joshi and Kanika Dhillon. Boman Irani, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal (who is listed as making a special appearance), and Shah Rukh Khan are the main stars.

Dunki, which was directed by Rajkumar Hirani, is the tale of four friends who set out on a trip to fulfill their desire to go overseas. The method of illegal migration that many of Indians use to migrate abroad is the basis for the movie.

The real Dingucha in Gujarat, when 2800 out of 3000 inhabitants departed to seek a better life abroad, served as the inspiration for the narrative of Dunki. To cross borders without the proper documentation and illegally, they chose the perilous “Donkey Route.”

2020 sees the escape of an aged Manu Randhawa from a London hospital and the meeting of immigration lawyer Puru Patel. She asks him to put her in touch with Hardayal “Hardy” Singh Dhillon, her former flame. An elderly Hardy in Laltu, Punjab, is overjoyed to hear from Manu after a quarter of a century. She can’t get an Indian visa, so she begs him to meet her in Dubai so he may take her back to India via the Dunki route.

Manu, along with her companions Buggu and Balli, were living in Laltu in 1995 when they decided to move to London in search of a better life. Despite trying several different approaches, these poor and illiterate people are unable to obtain a visa. Hardy, a former army officer, shows up in their community one day. After realizing that Mahinder, Manu’s brother, had perished in an accident, Manu finds herself and her family in a precarious financial situation. Mahinder had saved Manu’s life during a battle. In exchange for Manu’s brother’s generosity, Hardy pledges to assist her in getting to London. They sign up for an IELTS tutoring session offered by Geetu after hearing that passing the exam will make it simpler for them to obtain a UK student visa.Gulati, the place where Sukhi is met. Sukhi wishes to go to London in order to rescue Jassi, his ex-girlfriend, who was given in marriage to an NRI who mistreats her physically. Eventually, Balli passes the tests while the others don’t.

The global theatrical debut of Dunki took place on December 21, 2023. Critics gave it varying ratings. With a production and marketing budget of ₹120 crore (US$15 million), the movie has made approximately ₹470.60 crore (US$59 million) in total revenue globally, making it the eighth highest-grossing Indian film and the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2023. The movie was nominated for nine Filmfare Awards, including Best Actor for Khan and Best Actress for Pannu.