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BOMBAY TIMES (June 12, 2016)
Clik here to view.
BOMBAY TIMES (June 12, 2016)
Acclaimed filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor talks about Dhanak, which is written and directed by him, and on finding innocence, hope and joy in a cynical world.
What was your inspiration behind making this film?
When I started writing it, I wanted to remind myself and the audience that there is still goodness left in the world. I wanted to go back to the India I grew up in, where people trusted each other. Dhanak reinforces the belief that in a world full of cynicism, life can have a happy ending.
How did the collaboration with Drishyam Films happen?
When I met Manish Mundra, (the founder of Drishyam Films) in 2014, I had pitched another film to him. I learnt that he's from Rajasthan, so I told him I had a script about two kids who embark on a magical journey across the desert. Manish was convinced that he wanted to make this film with me.
What was your biggest challenge?
Whenever you shoot in Rajasthan, you realise the landscape is as lethal as it is beautiful. It's dry, hot and sandy - your skin literally sizzles when temperatures soar over 50 degrees. And I had two kids as my lead actors. But they were beyond adorable and a million times better than any adults.
How integral are the songs to the story?
We had a great opportunity to explore the folk sound since we were shooting in Rajasthan. Composer Tapas Relia recorded with real Manganiyars in Barmer and this has lent the movie a lot of authenticity.
What kind of cinema do you admire?
Hrishikesh Mukherjee is one of my favourite filmmakers. His films spoke about every day India, his characters were real, everybody had shades of grey, but nobody was a villain. His movies are true family entertainers. Family values, relationships and friendships are all essential to the fabric of a Hrishida film and I have tried to embody the same qualities in Dhanak as well.
Dhanak releases this Friday.
What was your inspiration behind making this film?
When I started writing it, I wanted to remind myself and the audience that there is still goodness left in the world. I wanted to go back to the India I grew up in, where people trusted each other. Dhanak reinforces the belief that in a world full of cynicism, life can have a happy ending.
How did the collaboration with Drishyam Films happen?
When I met Manish Mundra, (the founder of Drishyam Films) in 2014, I had pitched another film to him. I learnt that he's from Rajasthan, so I told him I had a script about two kids who embark on a magical journey across the desert. Manish was convinced that he wanted to make this film with me.
What was your biggest challenge?
Whenever you shoot in Rajasthan, you realise the landscape is as lethal as it is beautiful. It's dry, hot and sandy - your skin literally sizzles when temperatures soar over 50 degrees. And I had two kids as my lead actors. But they were beyond adorable and a million times better than any adults.
How integral are the songs to the story?
We had a great opportunity to explore the folk sound since we were shooting in Rajasthan. Composer Tapas Relia recorded with real Manganiyars in Barmer and this has lent the movie a lot of authenticity.
What kind of cinema do you admire?
Hrishikesh Mukherjee is one of my favourite filmmakers. His films spoke about every day India, his characters were real, everybody had shades of grey, but nobody was a villain. His movies are true family entertainers. Family values, relationships and friendships are all essential to the fabric of a Hrishida film and I have tried to embody the same qualities in Dhanak as well.
Dhanak releases this Friday.
