Genre : Drama
Year : 2014
Running time : 1 hour 46 minutes
Director : Nagesh Kukunoor
Cast : Hetal Gada, Kkrish Chhabria, Vipin Sharma, Rajiv Laxman
Kid rating : G
Dhanak (Rainbow) is about Chhotu (Chhabria) and Pari (Gada), a brother-sister pair, who journey across Rajasthan to help Chotu regain back his sight. The two live with their aunt and uncle in a village. When Pari, the protective older sister, sees a poster in which film-star Shahrukh Khan promotes eye-donation, and giving sight to the sightless, she’s determined to get Chotu the ability to see again.
This film is carefully wrought. Pari and Chhotu are an endearing pair, and we are with them every step of the way. The characters seem real and are nicely built up. Yes, at some points you do have to throw cynicism out of the window and believe in the milk of human kindness, but you are happy to do so. Like a lot of other films by director Nagesh Kukunoor (Dor, Iqbal), Dhanak is strong on storyline and low on the star power. Most of the actors are unknowns (I only recognized Vipin Sharma), but the believable portrayals and the charm of the lead child actors carries this film through.
The music, like the music of many other Kukunoor films, is nothing to write home about, but does the job. It’s peppy and calm and fits the film – very of the ranbhoomi. The most interesting of them all was the fusion-y rendition of Dum-a-dum Mast Qalandar.
Dhanak is a simple tale pleasantly and engagingly told. Kukunoor definitely is a worthy addition to the Hindi film landscape – may he live long and prosper and continue to bring us more of such heart-warming tales 🙂 !
P.S. : Rajiv Laxman (of Roadies fame) makes an appearance here – and as a country bumpkin, no less!
Kidwise: Clean and made for kids. Family-friendly.
