The portrayal of the Indian immigration experiences, as depicted in films, shed light into the complex interplay between cultural identity, the illegal immigrant experience, and its impact on mental health.
These films depict the donkey flight or illegal immigration techniques used for unauthorized entry into countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Rajkumar Hirani's "Dunki" follows several Indian immigrants undertaking a blotched immigration through Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey to reach the UK.
The film tackles complex bureaucratic procedures like the right to asylum, processing of visas, etc. and highlights how these can have a long-term mental health toll.
"Dunki" agrees with a spate of studies and literary works that claim immigrants are more susceptible to: – Displacement trauma – PTSD – Depression – Anxiety – Social isolation - Adjustment disorders
"Aaja Mexico Challiye" (2022) charts a Punjabi man's "donkey flight" voyage to the United States through the jungles of Mexico.
Similarly, "Comrade In America" (2017) follows a communist from Kerala who travels to the US through Latin America and Mexico to save the love of his life.
These films are lauded for highlighting immigrant experiences of prejudice, discrimination, or persecution based on their ethnicity, race, etc.
These also show how hardships like unemployment, language barriers, health insecurities, and cultural differences can trigger mental health issues in immigrants.