Dunki song Banda, dropped by the makers on Monday, introduces Shah Rukh Khan’s Hardy as a lover, a true friend and a patriot as he and his group of friends embark on a mission to relocate to London and stay there against the odds.

The fourth track from the upcoming Rajkumar Hirani directorial is sung by Diljit Dosanjh. The one-minute-30-second-long video introduces Shah Rukh as the only person in town who can get Taapsee and their group of Punjabi-speaking friends to their dreamland, London.

It also shows how Hardy tries to impress Manu with his passion for wrestling. Besides portraying him as a man in love, the music video goes on to show Hardy having fun at an IELTS training centre with his best friends who are also planning to migrate to London.

While Shah Rukh’s Jawan song Zinda Banda celebrates the joy of being alive, the new Dunki song is all about Hardy’s love for Manu which gives him the strength to pursue his dreams.

At the end of the video, we see Hardy in a courtroom explaining to a judge that he won’t speak ill of his motherland in order to stay in London.

Composed by Pritam, Banda is penned by Kumaar, known for his songs like Rula Ke Gaya Ishq (2022), Dil Ki Aadat (2022) and Kala Chashma (2016).

Soon after the song’s release, Shah Rukh took to X (formerly Twitter) and penned a note alongside the music video. “Tum jo maang loge dil toh yeh jaan dega banda….vaadon ka iraadon ka aur apne yaaron ka yaar,” he wrote.

The Jawan star then went on to heap praise on Diljit."Aur ek aur yaar @diljitdosanjh paaji ne is gaane mein jaan bhar di hai. Thank u and love u paaji for making Hardy a banda for everyone to love,” he wrote, mentioning how the Hass Hass singer’s voice added life to the song.

Shah Rukh also reshared Diljit’s tweet where the latter posted the music video and wrote, “Paaji @diljitdosanjh you are the coolest. You have always shown so much love to me and been kind. Full full Punjabiyon ki fitrat hai aap mein!! Hum Dil mange aap se, toh aap jaan lekar haazir ho jaate ho!!! Big jhappi.”

Marking the first collaboration between Hirani and Shah Rukh, Dunki also stars Boman Irani, Vikram Kochhar, Vicky Kaushal and Anil Grover. It is slated to hit theatres on December 21.