Unlike Gaurav from Maneesh Sharma's yet-to-release Fan, there's something achingly innocent about the characters in Nagesh Kukunoor's new film, Dhanak.
While we only get to briefly see the two kids in the film's trailer that premiered yesterday, their playful smiles matched with a disarming wit are more than enough to win you over. With its fable-like treatment, the film tells the story of 11-year-old Pari and her little brother, Chottu, who cannot see. But if you were thinking of an arduous, back-breaking struggle as the film's story, stop right away.
Instead, the crux of the film lies in the promise Pari makes to Chottu wherein she tells him he'll be able to see the world before turning 9. No, there isn't a specialist flown in to fix Chottu — instead, the duo set out on a seemingly life-altering journey across the dramatic terrains of Rajasthan in the quest to meet, who else, Shah Rukh Khan. The narrative, from what one can tell, is peppered with wise-cracks and the stars of this show are undoubtedly the kids: Hetal Gada and Krissh Chhabria.
Produced by indie-stalwart Manish Mundra (previous credits include 2014's Aankhon Dekhi and 2015's Masaan), Dhanak had its world premiere at last year's Berlin Film Festival where the film inspired a standing ovation from a sold-out audience. It also bagged the prestigious Grand Prix award for the Best Feature film and also earned Special Mention by the Children's Jury in the Generation KPlus category.
Dhanak also seems to have found a fan in Shah Rukh Khan, who tweeted his wishes to the film's team.
My best wishes to these beautiful kids & to Nagesh & Elahe. https://t.co/K7zX9gpM55
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 6, 2016
The film opens in Indian cinemas on June 10.
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