Inform us one thing about ‘Dunki’.
Lots of people had been confused about what the title of the movie ‘Dunki’ means. Dunki is a time period used for individuals who cross nationwide borders illegally with out a visa in quest of higher jobs and higher lives. In Punjab, there a kind of boat wherein 3-4 folks will be slot in. That boat is known as Dunki. That’s the place the movie’s title comes from.
The story is about crossing borders illegally and the issues that include it. Dunki sirf jaane ki baat nahin karti. Ghar waapsi ki bhi baat karti hai. Dunki is about homecoming. The central characters are performed by Shah Rukh Khan and Taapsee Pannu. Then there are parallel leads that are me, Anil Grover (Sunil Grover’s youthful brother), Vicky Kaushal, and Boman Irani. Different characters maintain going out and in.
Is the movie based mostly on a real story?
The movie is an amalgamation of true tales. After we accomplished the shoot in Budapest, there was a break of ten days so I considered roaming round in Europe. I used to be touring in a bus from Budapest to Vienna. There was a lady from Barnala sitting on the bus who was hassled and speaking to somebody in Punjabi. When she advised us her story, we realized that this was our movie’s story. She was going by means of the issues of unlawful immigration. A pal of hers had been arrested due to the identical. It was surprising.
We have now not talked a few subject that doesn’t occur in actual life. We have now dramatized it, certain, in order that it’s entertaining for folks to observe. However the tales are true.
How did you come on board for the movie?
I bought a name from casting director Mukesh Chhabra. He has been pushing me so much. He had pushed me for the function with Shah Rukh sir in Jab Harry Met Sejal which was ultimately performed by Chandan Roy Sanyal. I had met Imtiaz Ali sir who had favored me as an actor, however he mentioned, “Yeh naya hai. Pata nahin itne bade actor ke saath kaise tik payega? Kahin aware na ho jaaye.” Lower to 3-4 years later, I bought Dunki with Shah Rukh sir.
For Dunki, I did 6-7 rounds of auditions and look checks. Then Rajkumar Hirani sir gave a remaining nod after seeing my look check. It cleared all his doubts. Raju sir doesn’t allow you to take his script dwelling. So, we’d go to his workplace to learn the script. We did some workshops at Shah Rukh sir’s home. We began devising scenes. And after 2-3 months of preparation, we lastly went on flooring to shoot.
Bollywood celebs attend particular screening of Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu starrer ‘Dunki’
On the primary day of the shoot, one of many actors taking part in a small function couldn’t ship what he did in his audition. We spent three hours on that. Raju sir puzzled what’s going to occur to the movie if the beginning is such. Then the actor was paid his per day and advised, “Sorry, we must search for another person for this function. We’ll attempt to suit you in one other function.” Then Rohitashv Gaur was solid in that function and he did that scene very nicely. Anil Grover and I had been terrified after that incident. However Shah Rukh sir made us really feel snug and issues went fantastic. I don’t bear in mind a single scene the place Raju sir mentioned that he didn’t just like the scene.
Inform us one thing about your character within the film.
My character is a simpleton from Punjab who needs to go overseas to earn cash. He has a number of buddies who’re going through related issues. He believes in dwelling in right this moment even when confronted with the issues. He believes that if there’s an issue, there will likely be an answer. He’s a optimistic particular person.
How was it working with Shah Rukh Khan?
I labored with Shah Rukh Khan for the primary time. It felt actually good. He was so well-versed with the script and its particulars. We might focus on the whole lot throughout the readings. Once I met him for the primary time it was overwhelming however he made all of us so snug and that made it simple for us to include our recommendations. We might develop a scene collectively as we do in theatre.
Being an enormous star, Shah Rukh sir didn’t need to have a lot humility. He might have mentioned that his physique double would stand for sure scenes. However he would stand behind the digicam to present us cues in our scenes when he was not within the body. It helps preserve the authenticity of the scene. He loves motion pictures so much.
How was Rajkumar Hirani as a director?
He’s a gem of an individual. He’s very explicit about what he needs. Neither does he need to waste a second of the viewers nor does he need to curtail an actor’s efficiency. He tries to keep up a fantastic steadiness.
As soon as after Raju sir mentioned okay to a scene, I requested him whether or not I might do one other take. “I can do higher than this,” I mentioned. He mentioned, “I’ve bought what I needed. However if you wish to do it then go forward.” Once I work with Aamir Khan additionally, I work the identical means. We construct a scene collectively.
Are you able to share any enjoyable or attention-grabbing anecdotes from the time you had been rehearsing a scene with Shah Rukh Khan at his home?
There’s a scene the place I stand on a chair. So, I used to be in a drawing room at Shah Rukh sir’s home. I used to be so within the move that I bought onto a settee in his drawing room. I quickly realized what I had performed. Then Shah Rukh sir additionally bought onto the couch to form of inform me that it was okay.
My birthday was celebrated on the units. Shah Rukh sir wished me and made me reduce the cake. He didn’t have to do this as a result of it was after pack-up, however he stood there.
How was it working with Vicky Kaushal?
Vicky has the strongest function within the movie. He’s positioned on the centre and it’s an endearing character. I’ve labored with Vicky in Manmarziyaan. He’s so snug to work with. He is sort of a pal.
On the set, somebody mentioned that Katrina Kaif’s husband is an efficient actor. So, we advised this to Vicky. He laughed at it and mentioned, “If you already know your work you get what you need.” He’s such a cool particular person and such particular person.
How do you look again at your journey to date?
It has been powerful. Once I got here to Mumbai, I used to do a number of theatre. I got here to Mumbai two years after doing NSD. I didn’t get any work for 6-7 months. Then I began getting cameo roles in TV serials and adverts. When movies appeared to be in sight, folks mentioned he’s an advert man how would he act in an extended format?
I began doing theatre once more. As a result of I’m an NSD graduate, I bought to do theatre comparatively simply. I did a TV serial Sumit Sambhal Lega which gave me monetary stability. I bought a home for myself in Mumbai. To pay again the home mortgage, I knew that I needed to work extra.
Instantly, I bought Manikarnika. Whereas doing that, I bought a name for an audition for Sacred Video games and I cracked it. Throughout Sacred Video games, Anurag Kashyap solid me for Manmarziyaan. Then I bought Kesari and slowly I began getting extra work. In my 12 years’ journey in movies, now I’ve bought break in Dunki the place I’m taking part in a meaty function. That is an already written character wherein I’ve fitted myself. I’m nonetheless in search of characters which can be written for me.
