2015 seems to have started on a great note for desi indies. After Umrika’s win at Sundance, Nagesh Kukunoor’s film Dhanak bagged top awards at the 65th Berlin Film Festival.

The film was competing in Generation Kplus category. In this section, the jury members are no older than those of the audience. Eleven children and seven teens award the best films with Crystal Bears. Special Mentions are given for outstanding achievements. Two international juries present further prizes in the Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus competition.

Dhanak has bagged two awards – In the the Children’s Jury, it has been given a “Special Mention” – This year, we chose a colorful, touching and humorous film. The story and the performances of the young protagonists impressed us deeply.

And in the International Jury, it has bagged the Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus for the best feature-length film, endowed with € 7,500 by the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk:

This dynamically-directed film delivers joy and heartbreak in equal measure – the young brother and sister at its heart and the unbreakable love between them are irresistible. As we journey across the country with these two young people, we become deeply invested in their quirky “against all odds” quest. We were constantly surprised by the twists and turns in their journey, and the unusual, eccentric characters that awaits them at each and every juncture! Filled with color, magic, music, spontaneity and a plenty of emotion, this film lives up to its name and delivers a celebration of life to savor long after the end credits roll!

Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, the film stars child actors Hetal Gada and Krrish Chhabria in the lead. It’s produced by Manish Mundra, Elahe Hiptoola and Kukunoor.

The film is about an eight-year-old blind boy whose 10-year-old sister promises him that he will get his vision back before he turns 9. The film follows the duo on a magical journey through the sand dunes of Rajasthan.

Last year, Avinash Arun’s Killa had won the Crystal Bear in the same category.