Dunki: A Real-Life Immigrant Tale? Facts You Must Know Before Watching

Shah Rukh Khan's latest flick, Dunki, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, follows the successes of Pathaan and Jawan. This comedy-drama, featuring Taapsee Pannu, Boman Irani, and Vicky Kaushal, hit the screens today (December 21), generating rave initial reviews. With a storyline delving into the struggles of migrants in pursuit of a better life, the film has been buzzing since its announcement. Everyone's curious: Is SRK's Dunki tackling immigration issues? If you're planning to catch the movie soon, here's a rundown of what you need to know before heading to the theatres.

Some time back, a video shared by Red Chillies Entertainment featured Rajkumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Taapsee Pannu discussing various aspects of their film Dunki. During the conversation, the director explained how the idea for the movie originated. SRK displayed a picture of a house with an aeroplane fixed on its roof.

Dunki: A Real-Life Immigrant Tale?

Detailing the image, Rajkumar Hirani shared, "This house is in Jalandhar. You see, there's a big cemented aeroplane atop this house. It's not just this house; there are several houses in Jalandhar with aeroplanes on their roofs." He was fascinated by this sight and wanted to understand the reason behind it.

He explained, "There's a tradition where, when a family member from these houses goes abroad to places like London, Canada, or America, they put an aeroplane on the roof of their house to mark their journey. Additionally, beneath the aeroplane, they usually install water tanks." He highlighted that people initially thought life abroad was good, but visa issues prompted illegal crossings, leading to what's known as the 'Donkey route,' which inspired the storyline for Dunki.

Furthermore, Khan shed light on the movie, mentioning it revolves around 'Donkey Flights,' an illicit immigration method providing a "back door entry" into the US, UK, and Canada. He elaborated, saying, "Dunki is about an illegal trip. A lot of people take to get out of their country across borders all over the world. It’s called the donkey travel. People from our country, as well as other countries, undertake this journey."

But what exactly is this technique? How do Indians employ it to enter countries like the US and UK to pursue their aspirations? Here’s a closer exploration.

What Is Donkey Flight Or Back Door Entry?

Donkey Flights or the Donkey Flight method refers to a tactic employed by potential immigrants to enter a foreign country through a circuitous route involving stops in other nations before reaching their desired destination. The term originates from the Punjabi expression, implying moving from one place to another.

Simply put, donkey flights exploit immigration gaps by taking a route that involves stops in multiple countries to enter a foreign nation. For instance, individuals from India might obtain a tourist visa for a Schengen-zone country as a means to enter the United Kingdom. Similarly, for the US, they might travel via South American countries.

Roots and Challenges

The practice of 'Donkey Flights' is prevalent in Punjab, especially among the youth aspiring to settle abroad. This method has expanded to neighbouring states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh. Moreover, it's gaining traction in Gujarat due to a significant number of people from the region looking to relocate overseas.

However, using the Donkey Flight method to enter the US is far from easy—it's perilous. Clients often navigate the daunting Darien Gap, linking Colombia with Panama, facing dangers such as cartel presence, trekking for days without food, combating venomous snakes, and risking life-threatening diseases.

Watch how Dunki covers the issue.