'Dunki' opens with a decent start at the box office; trails behind earlier blockbusters of Shah Rukh Khan

In the latest cinematic offering from the renowned director Rajkumar Hirani, "Dunki" hit the theaters on Thursday, unveiling a star-studded cast led by none other than the 'King of Bollywood,' Shah Rukh Khan. However, the film's opening day at the domestic box office, as reported by Sacnilk.com, has been described as a "good start," albeit marking the lowest for Shah Rukh Khan in the current year.

According to Sacnilk.com's insights, "Dunki" managed to rake in ₹30 crore nett across India on its first day, encompassing all languages. While this achievement is commendable, it falls short in comparison to Shah Rukh Khan's earlier releases in the year. For instance, "Pathaan," as per the same source, soared to ₹57 crore on its opening day, while "Jawan" set the bar even higher at ₹89.5 crore.

The film, not just a Shah Rukh Khan vehicle, boasts an ensemble cast including Taapsee Pannu,Vicky Kaushal, Boman Irani, Vikram Kochhar, and Anil Grover. Despite the powerhouse performances, "Dunki" faces stiff competition from "Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire," a period action drama starring Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, releasing on Friday.

While "Dunki" explores the theme of illegal immigration in the guise of a comedy drama, it seems that the film has yet to capture the audience's imagination as fervently as Shah Rukh Khan's previous releases. 

India Forums review for the film read, "The film opens on a promising note with SRK's iconic Bollywood entry, coupled with humorous character introductions. SRK emerges as the messiah, the astute problem-solver, setting a positive tone. However, the film falls short in terms of depth, as Hirani attempts to seamlessly blend humor and emotion, resulting in moments that feel contrived and excessively staged. The second half, in particular, tends to drag, veering off course and leaving the audience's attention waning. The predictability and overextension of the storyline contribute to a lackluster experience, diminishing the film's impact."

Several critics expressed a level of underwhelm, noting that the anticipation and buzz surrounding "Dunki" didn't quite match the frenzy generated by the actor's earlier cinematic endeavors.