Box Office Verdict: Semi-Hit
Dunki, Rajkumar Hirani’s poignant immigration drama starring Shah Rukh Khan, collected ₹234.12 crore domestically (net), securing the #29 rank in Filmymojo’s all-time box office rankings. While not matching SRK’s 2023 action blockbusters, the film showed strong legs in the holiday season.
Box Office Breakdown
Key Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Collection | ₹234.12 crore |
| Rank | #29 (All-Time) |
| Genre | Drama/Comedy |
| Release Month | December 2023 |
| Director | Rajkumar Hirani |
| Lead Cast | Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu |
Genre Comparison
- Average Drama-Comedy Collection (2023): ₹92.5 crore
- Dunki vs. Genre Avg: 153% above the genre average
- Top 2023 Dramas:
- Animal (₹553.87 crore)
- The Kashmir Files (₹252.73 crore)
- Dunki (₹234.12 crore)
- 12th Fail (₹55.95 crore)
Shah Rukh Khan’s Historic 2023
Dunki completed SRK’s unprecedented hat-trick:
| Movie | Collection (₹ Cr) | Rank | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pathaan | 542.2 | #5 | 2023 |
| Jawan | 644.38 | #1 | 2023 |
| Dunki | 234.12 | #29 | 2023 |
| Total 2023 | 1420.7 crore | – | – |
Historic Achievement: First actor to deliver three ₹200cr+ grossers in a single year.
Rajkumar Hirani’s Filmography Comparison
How Dunki stacks against Hirani’s other works:
| Movie | Collection (₹ Cr) | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Dangal | 387.38 | 6.2x |
| PK | 340.8 | 5.8x |
| 3 Idiots | 202.5 | 7.1x |
| Dunki | 234.12 | 4.3x |
| Sanju | 342.53 | 5.5x |
Key Insight: While Dunki had lower multipliers than Hirani’s classics, it achieved higher gross than 3 Idiots (unadjusted for inflation).
The Christmas Clash Factor
Dunki faced unexpected competition from Salaar:
| Metric | Dunki | Salaar |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Day | ₹29.2 cr | ₹48.5 cr |
| Christmas Week | ₹148.6 cr | ₹175.2 cr |
| Final India Total | ₹234.12 cr | ₹308.5 cr |
| Overseas | ₹210.4 cr | ₹325.8 cr |
Remarkable Fact: Dunki showed better weekday holds (32% drop vs Salaar’s 48%) indicating stronger urban appeal.
Audience Reception & Controversies
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10 (Highest for any SRK 2023 film)
- Word of Mouth:
- Praised for emotional depth and Hirani’s signature humor
- Criticized for uneven pacing in second half
- Controversies:
- “Donkey Route” portrayal sparked political debates
- Punjab collections affected by local sensitivities
- Unique Factor: First major Bollywood film to depict the illegal immigration crisis
Final Verdict
With ₹234.12 crore, Dunki proved that content-driven cinema can coexist with mass entertainers in today’s market. While not reaching SRK’s action film numbers, its 4.3x multiplier from opening day demonstrates exceptional staying power.
Watch Recommendation: A must-watch for fans of meaningful storytelling, though less appealing to action-seeking audiences.
Data Source: Filmymojo Box Office Database