There’s a growing buzz in the entertainment world about the potential delay of Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film, ‘Dunki,’ possibly to the year 2024. Shah Rukh Khan, who is currently riding high on the success wave with his recent hits, ‘Jawan‘ and ‘Pathaan,’ had earlier set the release date for ‘Dunki,’ directed by the acclaimed Raj Kumar Hirani, on December 22.
The ‘Dunki’ Postponement Speculation
Recent reports are indicating that the creators of ‘Dunki’ are contemplating the idea of pushing back its release to 2024. This decision is significantly influenced by the fact that this year has already witnessed the release of two major Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) blockbusters, namely ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Jawan.’ Film analyst Manobala Vijayabalan hinted at this possibility on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “There’s a buzz that #SalaarVsDunki suggests #ShahRukhKhan’s #Dunki might be postponed. #Prabhas’ #Salaar is going for a solo release.”
Supporting this, Aakashavaani remarked, “Yes, the rumors seem to be true. ‘Dunki’ is ‘likely’ to be postponed. Post-production work is taking longer than expected, and the team might not be able to complete it in time for the December 22 release. We eagerly await official confirmation.”
Insights from a Close Associate of SRK
In an exclusive conversation with the entertainment portal Koimoi, a confidant of SRK shared valuable insights, saying, “I believe they are seriously considering moving ‘Dunki’ to early next year. This year, SRK’s ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Jawan’ have set new records in the blockbuster department. Releasing a third film in the same year might not be the wisest choice. It’s better to wait a few months and allow SRK fans to savor the success of these two movies.”
He further elaborated, “Let’s not forget that ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Jawan’ still have a long journey ahead. While ‘Pathaan’ has already started streaming on Prime Video, ‘Jawan’ won’t be available until November. This means that the excitement around SRK will continue until the year-end. Releasing ‘Dunki’ this year might just be more of the same. Moreover, if ‘Dunki’ is released this year, SRK won’t have any releases lined up for the following year.”
A Glimpse into ‘Dunki’
Starring the talented Taapsee Pannu alongside SRK, ‘Dunki’ was anticipated to be SRK’s third cinematic venture of 2023. His return to lead roles commenced with ‘Pathaan’ in January, a movie that not only received critical acclaim but also amassed an impressive global box office collection exceeding ₹1000 crore. Following this success, SRK’s latest offering, ‘Jawan,’ directed by the renowned Atlee, hit the screens on September 7 and quickly crossed the ₹1000 crore mark in worldwide earnings. The potential delay for ‘Dunki’ indicates a strategic decision, ensuring that SRK’s significant impact on the big screen continues in a thoughtful manner.
