“How can birds fly freely without needing permission to cross a country, while we, humans, have to meet many requirements to enter and move around?” That’s one of the dialogues from the movie “Dunki”.
Dunki is directed by Rajkumar Hirani, known for his works on “3 Idiots” and “PK,” both of which received significant attention in Indonesia a few years ago.
The film narrates the journey of a group of friends trying to live a better life in a foreign country, in this case, moving to England. However, administrative obstacles in the complex relocation process lead them to choose illegal or unofficial routes.
Starring Shah Rukh Khan, a renowned name in Indian cinema, Dunki carries important messages, much like Rajkumar Hirani’s other films. It explores how borders and national boundaries only create divisions, criticizing the discriminatory barriers between nations.
For a Better Life
The dream of a decent life often involves moving to a distant place, a place that was once only in one’s imagination. Success stories often inspire people to flock to these envisioned locations.
Sometimes, the pursuit of this dream involves any means necessary. In the case of Dunki, several years ago, based on the events around the aftermath of World War I, there was a significant migration of Indians to England, driven by the desire for a better life.
However, in 1962, and effective in 1968, the UK implemented immigration laws restricting the influx of people from India and Commonwealth countries into their territory.
After these restrictions, entering the UK became increasingly difficult, leading some to opt for illegal routes to achieve their aspirations of a better life.
In Dunki, Shah Rukh Khan’s gang chooses this path because they have no other choice. Deceived by a visa agent and struggling with the English language to obtain a good IELTS score, this group of friends resorts to a dangerous and illegal route to grasp their dreams of a more prosperous life in England.
The journey to reach England through illegal means is far from easy; it can be perilous. During their journey, the group is even held hostage by military forces when they reach a Middle Eastern country, resulting in the loss of four friends.
However, the dream of a better life keeps them going until they reach the shores of Queen Elizabeth’s country.
“The grass is always greener on the other side,” a saying I read somewhere when I was a child. And this is the reality they face upon arriving in England.
The envisioned better jobs and decent living conditions are not found. Immigrants, especially those taking illegal routes, only secure “lowly” jobs that native Britons would not consider.
Once again, the dream of a better life compels them to persevere, even if it means lying in court as asylum seekers to obtain permanent residency.
Coach Hardy, played by Shah Rukh Khan, refuses this path. He returns to India, stating that India still provides him with the dignity he won’t find in a new place.
Separating Barriers
When I watched the movie Dunki, it immediately reminded me of a few years ago when I read an article titled “The Unbearable Whiteness Of Tourism” by Sri Lankan writer Indrajit (Indi) Samarajiva.
There’s a common thread regarding how national barriers can become increasingly discriminatory, especially for Global South or third-world countries. In the article, the author specifically discusses the tourism sector, which tends to give preferential treatment to white tourists and how the world complicates travel for people of color.
“They call tourism a hospitality industry, but it is far from that. Hospitality should be a two-way street. I am welcome in your home, and you are welcome in mine. But tourism is not like this. White people are welcomed everywhere. People of color have to show a receipt (purchase proof),” reads the first sentence of the article.
National borders indeed enable such discrimination. Countries and their boundaries often act as dividers, keeping people apart. Consequently, travel becomes more complicated, especially for third-world countries.
I remember a few years ago when I had to apply for a visa to a country, and it took at least a week to prepare the necessary travel documents. It couldn’t be done in my hometown; the documents had to be processed in the capital city.
Various documents had to be prepared, and I had to allocate funds to cover the costs of the documents that had to be created well in advance. And, of course, there was the possibility of the documents not being accepted, perhaps due to not meeting the requirements, and so on. If that happened, it meant losing money and being denied entry to the destination country.
In situations like these, some people might choose the illegal route to their destination country. Like the characters in the movie Dunki they opt for a risky journey because national barriers leave no room for them.
The Bittersweet Life in Dunki
It’s been a while since I felt such satisfaction after watching a movie until a few days ago when I watched Dunki, an Indian film that delivers a profoundly important message about the bittersweetness of life.
I had no expectations when I went to watch this film. I just wanted to be entertained and enjoy the story presented on the big screen. However, Dunki offered more. The film provides hope that, no matter what happens, life is hope itself.
Dunki emphasizes how life can feel incredibly unfair, yet that’s how life is. You can’t keep wrestling there; sometimes, what needs to be done is to leave a little space for hope amid the pit of despair.
In this film, I was led to cry, be happy, moved, sad, laugh, and experience life. Life that feels like what most ordinary people go through.
Moreover, the theme songs in this film are also pleasant to listen to. “Lutt Putt Gaya,” “O Maahi,” and “Main Tera Rasta Dekhunga” are songs that resonate well with the heart.
There was a time when someone said that Indian films always have singing scenes that can be distracting. However, I reconsidered that this is just the way the film tells its story. And if the songs are good, it becomes a bonus.
In conclusion, “Dunki” is a medium to see life and learn from it.
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