Shah Rukh Khan, known for his intense roles in Pathaan and Jawan, is closing the year with a change of genre in Dunki, a comedy-drama directed by Rajkumar Hirani. In a departure from his usual action-packed narratives, Dunki tackles the sensitive subject of illegal immigration, specifically shedding light on the ‘Donkey Flight’ technique, a clandestine method used for “back door entry” into the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Set for a Christmas release, Dunki follows Shah Rukh Khan’s character, Hardy, a Punjabi man eager to relocate to London along with his four friends. While the movie carries a light-hearted narrative, it also highlights the perils of traveling through this illegal route, as showcased in the first teaser released on the actor’s birthday.

What is the ‘Donkey Flight’ technique that Dunki is based on?

The term ‘Donkey Flight’ originates from the Punjabi idiom, signifying hopping from place to place, as explained by the Migration Policy Institute. This method involves Indians aspiring for a better life overseas using a backdoor route with multiple stops to ultimately enter their country of choice.

How does the ‘Donkey Flight’ work?

The desire for improved living conditions abroad has given rise to a burgeoning industry of touts and agents, colloquially known as hustlers. These individuals charge substantial fees to assist people in smuggling into countries such as the United Kingdom, as portrayed by Shah Rukh Khan’s character in Dunki.

For those aiming to enter the United Kingdom through the Donkey Flight method, unskilled laborers often sell their assets to pay travel agents for a Schengen visa. This visa allows easy travel within 25 European Union member countries. Once in populous countries like Germany or France, “consultants” aid in illegal entry into the United Kingdom, utilizing either fake documents or hiding in the trunks of vehicles.

The journey along this illegal route is fraught with dangers, including the risk of capture, imprisonment, and deportation. Traveling itself poses threats, with some individuals compelled to trek through challenging terrains like the Darien Gap, connecting Colombia with Panama, just to fulfill their “American dream.”

Why do Indians choose this illegal route?

Despite the visible dangers and the constant threat of detection, many Indians are driven by the prospect of a better quality of life abroad and the ability to send money back home. Jobs in nursing, driving, and store management are popular choices for migrants using the Donkey Flight method. The allure of significantly higher earnings abroad, as compared to their home country, remains a powerful motivator.

In the past year alone, around 42,000 Indians crossed the US border illegally, and the UK Home Office notes Indians as the second-largest group of migrants crossing into the UK over the English Channel on risky small boats. While the illegal business of Donkey Flights is primarily active in Punjab, it has expanded its reach to Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and now Gujarat.