Rajkumar Hirani directed Dunki starring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead has released in theaters worldwide today [December 21, 2023], and early reviews of the film suggest that despite appearing in an extended cameo role, actor Vicky Kaushal has left the viewers impressed with his character's emotional connect and performance.

Vicky Kaushal plays Sukhi (Mangal) in Dunki, who is Shah Rukh Khan's village friend in the movie. His short appearance in being deemed as one of the praise-worthy highlights of the movie, which is based on the eponymous illegal immigration technique known as 'Donkey Flight*'. Interestingly, Vicky Kaushal's Sam Bahadur [December 1, 2023], a biographical war drama in which he plays the lead character of India's first field marshal - Sam Manekshaw, is also still running in theaters alongside Dunki. 

* Donkey flight originates from a Punjabi idiom that refers to hopping from place to place. It is widespread illegal immigration technique found in Indian states such as Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat. 2017 Malayalam film Comrade in America (CIA) has previously touched on the topic. 

 

[Left: Dunki poster feat. (L-R) Karan Grover, Taapsee Pannu, Shah Rukh Khan, Vicky Kaushal  Right: Sam Bahadur poster feat. Vicky Kaushal]

Vicky Kaushal appeared on the 7th episode of the English talk show Koffee with Karan Season 8 earlier this month [December 7, 2023]. During the famous 'Rapid Fire' round of the Disney Plus Hotstar OTT show, host Karan Johar asked Vicky, "Who was the last person who left you completely starstruck?". Without missing a beat, Vicky Kaushal replied, "Rajinikanth sir. I met him during the semis at Wankhede He was there, and I got to meet him. So completely star-struck."

Vicky Kaushal about Rajinikanth on Koffee With Karan Season 8 Ep 7

Rajinikanth and Vicky Kaushal were guests from the entertainment industry, invited to attend the semi final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, which took place in Mumbai. The Indian cricket team was playing New Zealand on that day [November 15, 2023] and won by 70 runs.