December 28, 2023
Director Rajkumar Hirani finds himself in a challenging situation after his latest film Dunki got an underwhelming response at the box office.
Despite the film grossing 310 crores worldwide in its first week, It fell short of expectations, especially given the formidable combination of Hirani and Shah Rukh Khan, following their previous 1000-crore blockbusters like Pathaan and Jawan.
This setback is notable for Hirani, renowned for crafting blockbuster films such as Munnabhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Sanju, 3 Idiots, and PK. Dunki’s content, though not as exciting as those films Dunki might have fared better in the pre-pandemic era. However, times have changed significantly in the last three years, and today, Hirani’s cinematic style has fewer enthusiasts.
In an era dominated by films like Animals, Salaars, and Jawans, Dunki appears relatively soft and outdated, not aligning with todays audiences preferences. Such content is now typically consumed on OTT platforms rather than in theaters, lacking the theatrical appeal needed to draw audiences.
Nonetheless, the film’s global business surpassing 400 crores can be acknowledged as an achievement. The question now arises: what lies ahead for Hirani and his brand of cinema? Is this the end of the road for him?
Speculations surround his next project, rumored to be a biopic on cricketer Lala Amarnath potentially starring Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, or Vicky Kaushal. The uncertainty arises as to whether Aamir or Ranbir would take the risk of venturing into a genre currently facing challenges at the box office.
Sports biopics, in particular, have witnessed recent failures, exemplified by the reception of ’83. For Hirani to remain competitive in the industry, a reinvention of his cinematic approach may be necessary, especially against the formidable impact of filmmakers like Vangas, Kanagarajs, and Neels.
