Dunki

During World War II, England experienced a significant labor shortage that prompted the migration of workers from India, especially from Punjab. Many young Indians seized the opportunity to migrate, hoping for a better life in England.

The Commonwealth Immigration Act of 1962 was implemented, which drastically reduced the flow of immigrants from India to England. This change made it increasingly difficult for aspiring migrants to navigate the immigration process.

In the present timeline, an elderly Manu Randhawa escapes from a London hospital, desperate for help with her immigration issues. The escape marks the beginning of her quest to return to her roots in India.

After her escape, Manu meets immigration lawyer Puru Patel, who informs her that obtaining an Indian visa will be challenging due to her past. This meeting sets the stage for Manu's journey to reconnect with her long-lost love, Hardy.

Determined to find a way back to India, Manu reaches out to her old love, Hardayal 'Hardy' Singh Dhillon. This act of courage brings back memories and hope for her future.

After 25 years apart, Hardy is ecstatic to hear from Manu and agrees to meet her in Dubai. This reunion is crucial as Manu cannot secure a visa alone and needs Hardy's assistance.

Manu, along with her friends Buggu and Balli, boards a flight to Dubai. Their journey symbolizes their hopes and aspirations as they aim to reunite with Hardy and resolve Manu's immigration troubles.

In a flashback to 1995, we see younger versions of Manu and her friends in Laltu, struggling to realize their dreams of moving to London. Financial hardship looms large over their aspirations, complicating their plans.

Manu's group meets an immigration agent who misleads them into believing that learning wrestling could secure them a sports visa. This moment marks the beginning of their tumultuous journey filled with hopes and deceit.

Hardy, grateful for the past kindness shown by Manu’s deceased brother, promises to help her and her friends attain their dreams. He begins training Manu in wrestling, believing it could change their lives.

The group attends IELTS coaching classes, hoping to obtain student visas via the IELTS test. Despite Hardy's support, the majority fail, highlighting the challenges they face on their journey.

After realizing their agent's deceit, Hardy decides to take Manu and Buggu through the perilous Dunki route, a treacherous path for undocumented migrants. This decision signifies their desperate pursuit of a new life.

Upon arriving in London, the group's dreams begin to crumble as they encounter the harsh reality of living in a decrepit house and facing the constant fear of deportation. Their struggles highlight the dire consequences of migration.

In a critical court scene, Puru Patel suggests leveraging their asylum claim based on the dangers they faced to secure their status. While most are willing, Hardy's refusal leads to his deportation back to India, igniting a pivotal conflict.

The story concludes with Manu's heartbreaking journey back home, thwarted by visa challenges. Just before her death, a poignant moment occurs when Hardy proposes during Diwali, marking the end of their lost love and dreams.