Nagesh Kukunoor’s Dhanak makes it to Berlin

Nagesh Kukunoor’s venture Dhanak which revolves around a young Rajasthani girl who vows to restore the vision of his blind brother, seems to win hearts at Berlin Film Festival. “I am absolutely thrilled! We made it,” said an excited Kukunoor to a leading English daily. Directed by Kukunoor and produced by Manish Mundra, the film has won the Grand Prix for Best Feature. “I couldn’t believe it even when we were selected for Berlin. I was running around in my apartment screaming,” added Nagesh.

Source: www.thehindu.com 

“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 is irresistible… Filled with colour, 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!” read the statement of the International Jury.

Nagesh had earlier made Dor and Yeh Honsla which were also based in Rajasthan. “I am repeatedly drawn to Rajasthan because I’m fascinated by how small and insignificant humans become in vast open spaces,” said the director.

“The moment I had this image of a brother and sister against the desert landscape, I rushed to my computer and wrote the script right away. I couldn’t stop.” added Nagesh.

Kukunoor thanked co-producer Elahe Hiptoola for her dedication. “Elahe is always invaluable. I had hired her as an actress two days before we shot Hyderabad Blues, but her skills were so good, she was Assistant Director on Hyderabad Blues, and then we formed SIC Productions, and she has been my Creative Producer since. She totally gets my back, above and beyond the call of duty,” he explained.