Nagesh Kukunoor’s ‘Dhanak’ honoured in Berlin

“@Dhanakthefilm wins grand Prix for best feature at Berlinale. We also took special mention with the children’s jury,” Kukunoor tweeted Saturday.

The movie, which features Hetal Gada and Krrish Chhabria, was invited for the Generation Kplus programme at the gala, held Feb 5-15.

“Dhanak” was also screened at the prestigious film fest, where it had its world premiere.

“Dhanak” revolves around an eight-year-old visually challenged boy, whose elder sister promises him that his vision will return before his next birthday. This leads to a journey through Rajasthan.

‘Dhanak’s journey as magical as the film’s story: Nagesh Kukunoor

Nagesh Kukunoor is happy about his film “Dhanak” getting recognition at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival and hopes the honour is just the beginning of the movie’s next journey.

On Saturday, the movie bagged two awards — The Grand Prix for the Best Feature-length film and the Special Mention for the Best Feature Film by The Children’s Jury for Generation Kplus, at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival.

“Dhanak’s journey has been as magical as the film’s story. To have this Berlinale honour be the culmination of a fantastic trip is what dreams are made of. Or maybe this is just the start of Dhanak’s next journey,” Kukunoor said in a statement.

The film, co-produced by Manish Mundra, Kukunoor and Elahe Hiptoola, had its world premiere at the Berlinale, held from Feb 5 to 15.

“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 1,200 seats was sold out. At every screening, almost everyone stayed back for the Q&A and then mobbed the director outside the theatre,” said Mundra.