I would say the highlights are the stellar acting by the brother-sister kids, the music and the dialogues( the chats between the kids are endearing!
Once again, the kids in a Nagesh Kukunoor movie shine, unlike the adult actors who paled here in comparison.
The end is uplifting and I felt the movie renewed in me a sense of magic & hope about life. It may not have glossy locales or extravagant dance & song routine that one usually associates Bollywood with and therefore, it is not an entertainment for everybody.
Dhanak is without frills( simple yet serene) which is how I like it too yet there are scenes where the brand of chocolates or biscuits showed up so close on camera that it felt odd to watch on a big screen and we almost suspect the film makers of brand promotion.
On a bigger note, let me say that I am a big Nagesh Kukunoor fan. Ever since I saw & got inspired by his Iqbal, I watched every movie he has directed and what I enjoy about them is the portrayal of the human spirit, a perseverance that sets in motion chain of events that successfully guide his characters in their mission. But also I find a divine providence in play in the stories, and it's not only about will power.
That sense of mystique is what drives me to watch his movies and Dhanak is no exception. It, or more aptly, two little kids prove what a wise man once said - the world is larger and more beautiful than my little struggle.
