If novels could slip between frames, they’d look something like a Nagesh Kukunoor film—rich in character, steeped in atmosphere, and alive with quiet, unfolding drama. Not just because of his storytelling finesse, but because of his extraordinary attention to detail, the way he lingers on the small moments most directors would skim past. His worlds aren’t merely backdrops; they breathe, they shift, they hold their own narratives.

With Iqbal and Dor, Kukunoor gave us stories that felt both deeply personal and universally resonant. His latest, Dhanak, feels like a tale straight out of a children’s book—whimsical, dreamlike, and yet grounded in something profoundly human. It’s the kind of film that gently tugs you along for the journey.

At its heart, Dhanak is about two orphaned siblings—Pari (Hetal Gada) and Chhotu (Krrish Chhabria)—who set out on a journey driven by a hope so innocent, so unshakable, that reality hardly seems to matter. Pari, wise beyond her years, dreams of getting her blind younger brother the gift of sight. And so, armed with nothing but belief, they embark on a cross-country adventure, with Bollywood dreams and an unyielding optimism.

But this isn’t just a story about reaching a destination. It’s about the strangers they meet along the way—some kind, some dubious, but all instrumental in shaping their odyssey.

A Film That Feels Like a Fable

There’s something almost surreal about the way Dhanak unfolds. It’s not realism in the conventional sense; rather a heightened, storybook reality—one where faith and kindness don’t just exist but thrive.

It’s no surprise, then, that the film was later novelized into a book—a rarity in Indian cinema. And yet, it feels like it was meant to be that way. Dhanak doesn’t just tell a story; it invites you into a world where wonder is still possible, where the impossible still holds a glimmer of hope.

Kukunoor isn’t interested in melodrama or grand spectacle—he works in subtleties, in gestures, glances, and moments of stillness. And in doing so, he reminds us that the best stories aren’t about the destination, but about the journey itself.

Performances That Steal Your Heart

Of course, none of this would work without the two young leads. Hetal Gada and Krrish Chhabria carry the film effortlessly. Their bond is so pure, so unaffected, that you forget you’re watching “performances.” Chhabria, in particular, is a revelation—his effortless charm and comic timing make Chhotu instantly lovable, while Pari’s quiet strength gives the film its emotional anchor.

They bicker, they tease, they laugh—their chemistry is the kind that can’t be manufactured. And through their eyes, we see a world that is both cruel and kind, heartbreaking and hopeful.

And then, of course, there’s Rajasthan itself, captured in all its golden, sun-drenched splendor by cinematographer Chirantan Das. Both Rajasthan and its folk melodies have a character of their own, breathing color and meaning into the title, which means a ‘rainbow.’

More Than A Feel-Good Film

To say Dhanak is a feel-good film would be underselling it. It’s more than that. It’s a reminder of childhood optimism, of how the world once seemed limitless, before life told us otherwise. It’s a story of faith—not in miracles, but in the kindness of strangers, in the belief that even the smallest dreams deserve a chance.

It’s no wonder the film garnered critical acclaim at international festivals and won several accolades. Easily one of the finest you’ll see this year!

Watch it if you haven’t. Not because it’s a spectacle or because it reinvents cinema, but because it reminds you of something you might have forgotten—that sometimes, a little hope can take you a long way.

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