Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Dunki’ Makes Surprise OTT Debut on Netflix

In a sudden midnight announcement on February 15, Netflix India revealed the availability of Shah Rukh Khan‘s film ‘Dunki‘ on its OTT platform. Directed by renowned filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, the movie initially hit theaters on December 21, 2023.

‘Dunki’ marks the first collaboration between iconic actor Shah Rukh Khan and director Rajkumar Hirani. The film, which follows Shah Rukh’s successful releases ‘Pathaan‘ and ‘Jawan‘ in 2023, was described by Khan as part of his ‘Tan Man Dhan‘ trilogy, focusing on body, mind, and soul. However, its box office performance was not on par with his earlier ventures.

Despite missing expectations at the box office, ‘Dunki’ managed to gross ₹454 crore worldwide, with ₹272 crore coming from India and an impressive ₹182 crore from overseas. This placed ‘Dunki’ as the 6th highest-grossing Bollywood movie of 2023, surpassing several other major releases like ‘OMG 2’ and ‘Adipurush’.

The digital premiere of ‘Dunki’ on Netflix came unexpectedly, with fans and critics anticipating its release on JioCinema. The film’s storyline delves into the theme of immigration, symbolized by the term ‘donkey journey’, capturing the challenges faced by migrants worldwide. Starring Shah Rukh Khan alongside actors like Vicky Kaushal and Boman Irani, ‘Dunki’ became a notable addition to Shah Rukh’s filmography.

Shah Rukh Khan’s production house, Red Chillies Entertainment, reported ‘Dunki’ crossing the ₹470 crore mark worldwide, reflecting the movie’s substantial commercial success. While not in the league of blockbusters like ‘Tiger 3’ and ‘Gadar 2’, ‘Dunki’ secured its place in the top-grossers club of 2023, further establishing Khan’s enduring presence in Indian cinema.