After winning hearts last year with Lakshmi, Nagesh Kukunoor is back to doing what he is best at – winning award. The acclaimed director’s next movie Dhanak (Rainbow) wowed audience and critics alike at the 65th Berlin Film Festival. In yet another high, the film also bagged two awards, the prestigious Grand Prix for the best feature-length film and a Special Mention for the best feature film by The Children's Jury for Generation Kplus, at the just concluded 65th Berlin International Film Festival.
The film, which is co-produced by Manish Mundra, Nagesh Kukunoor and Elahe Hiptoola, had its world premiere at the prestigious film festival and was the only Indian feature film selected in the festival.
Nagesh who attended the festival himself is understandably ecstatic. Describing his joy, Nagesh said, ‘Dhanak's journey has been as magical as the film's story. To have this Berlinale honor is the culmination of a fantastic trip. Or maybe this is just the start of Dhanak's next journey.”
Producer, Manish Mundra of Ankhon Dekhi fame was equally thrilled and said, “ The film received an overwhelming response at Berlinale. All the screenings of the film saw a fully packed house and cheering audience. The premiere screening, which was held at massive theatre of 1200 seats was sold out. At every screening, almost everyone stayed back for the Q&A and then mobbed the director outside the theatre.”
The International Jury that adjudged Dhanak as the winner also lavished praise on the film. The jury was quoted saying, "This dynamically-directed film delivers joy and heartbreak in equal measure - the young brother and sister at its heart and the unbreakable love between them are irresistible. As we journey across the country with these two young people, we become deeply invested in their quirky “against all odds” quest. We were constantly surprised by the twists and turns in their journey, and the unusual, eccentric characters that awaits them at each and every juncture! Filled with color, magic, music, spontaneity and a plenty of emotion, this film lives up to its name and delivers a celebration of life to savor long after the end credits roll!"
Dhanak which stars child actor Hetal Gada and Krrish Chhabria in the lead roles is about an eight-year-old blind boy whose 10-year-old sister promises him that he will get his vision back before he turns 9. The film follows the duo on a magical journey through the sand dunes of Rajasthan. Like Nagesh’s Iqbal, Dhanak too explores the beautiful relationship of a brother and sister and the central character suffers from a disability, but in a dramatically diverse setting. This is also Nagesh’s second film with children after the much acclaimed Rockford.
The film is yet to release in India.
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