Hanki Panki
{{Infobox film
| name = Hanki Panki
| image = Hanki Panki.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Poster
| native_name =
| director = Nileish Malhotra
| writer =
| screenplay = Nileish Malhotra
Martial Vout
Dr. Suraina Malhotra
Karyn Watt
Karen Havranek
{{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes
| label1= Dialogues by
| data1 = {{ubl|Dr. Suraina Malhotra |Karyn Watt}}
}}
| story = Karyn Watt
Karen Havranek
| based_on =
| producer = Nileish Malhotra
Karyn Watt
Karen Havranek
| starring = Nileish Malhotra
Karyn Watt
Karen Havranek
Vikas Shrivastav
| narrator =
| cinematography = Jaywant Raut
Stuart Greig
| editing = Umesh Rane
| music = Amar{{endash}}Amit Desai
Jonny Downie Junior
| studio = KaKaNi Ltd
Malhotra Productions
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|2013|4||Cannes Film Festival|ref1={{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13109638.decidedly-tasty-dahl-showed-correct-laugh-face-sell-by-date/|title=A decidedly tasty dahl that showed I was correct to laugh in the face of this sell-by date|date=15 June 2013|work=The Herald|access-date=14 April 2025}}}} {{Film date|2013|6|12|Scotland}} {{Film date|2013|12|14|Mumbai}}
| runtime = 35 minutes
| country = Scotland
India
| language = English
| budget =
| gross =
}}
Hanki Panki is a 2013 English-language short comedy film directed by Nileish Malhotra, who co-produced, co-wrote, and co-starred in the film alongside Karyn Watt, and Karen Havranek. Vikas Shrivastav also stars in the film.
Plot
The film follows two Scottish soman as they travel to Indian for a baking competition, but they end up marrying maharajas after meeting them in a nightclub.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/best-friends-karyn-white-karen-1984236.amp|title=Best friends celebrate turning 50 by writing their own Bollywood movie.. and it's been nominated for an award|date=23 June 2013|work=Daily Record|first=Emma|last=Smith|access-date=14 April 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-22862589.amp|title=From Holyrood to Bollywood: Scottish women's surprise movie hit|date=12 June 2013|work=BBC|access-date=14 April 2025}} They are later robbed and how they return to Scotland from India forms the rest of the story.{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqkUkBr6YFM|title='Hanki Panki' - A Pair Of Raja {{!}} Amit Desai {{!}} karyn Watt {{!}} Official Music Video|work=Panorama Visuals Music|date=22 April 2024|location=India|via=YouTube|access-date=14 April 2025}}
Cast
- Nileish Malhotra as Maharaja of Goa Gettum
- Karyn Watt as Madhoor
- Karen Havranek as Pretty Awful
- Vikas Shrivastav as Maharaja of Have to Pushcar
Other people that star in the film include: Dr. Suraina Malhotra, Martial Vout, Peter Fouin, Lesley Watt, Ronnie Williams, Jacqui White, Marcus Langley White, Lynne Anderson, Nikki Fouin, Bob Mayer, Raj Mair, Liz Bell, Dave Bell, Jonny Downie Senior, Manish Gray,{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/manish-gray-recounts-his-unique-journey/articleshow/21478178.cms|title=Manish Gray recounts his unique journey|date=30 June 2013|first=Ankur|last=Pathak|work=Mumbai Mirror|via=The Times of India|access-date=14 April 2025}} Abhiyaan Malhotra, Richa, Rena Havranek, Ivan Havranek, George Watt, Marjory Watt, Pierre Fouin, Arun Nemani, Ankush Tiwari and Prasoon Shukla.
Production
=Development and casting=
Karyn Watt worked as a solicitor in Edinburgh, Scotland and Karen Havranek is also not an actor. The scale of the film, which was initially made for their friends only, increased to a full fledged project after their friend director Nilesh Malhotra agreed to helm the project.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-22862589.amp|title=From Holyrood to Bollywood: Scottish women's surprise movie hit|date=12 June 2013|work=BBC|access-date=14 April 2025}} Vikas Shrivastav became a part of the film after being contacted by his uncle, who worked as a Bollywood producer. Malhotra's wife Dr. Suraina Malhotra, worked as a creative director, scriptwriter and actor in the film.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hellowomeniya.com/mumbai-doctor-dr-suraina-malhotra-turns-international-social-entrepreneur-joins-hello-womeniya-com-as-the-europe-chapter-head/|title=Mumbai Doctor, Dr. Suraina Malhotra, turns International Social Entrepreneur, joins ‘Hello Womeniya . Com’ as The Europe Chapter Head|work=Hello Womaniya!|access-date=14 April 2025}} Watt's husband, Peter Fouin, and their neighbour, Raj Mair, also star in the film.
=Filming and post-production=
The film was shot in an Indian restaurant in Edinburgh and India.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13102140.day-races-draws-catty-criticism---eight-year-ban-tricky-trainer/|title=When a day at the races draws catty criticism – and an eight-year ban for a tricky trainer|date=27 April 2013|work=The Herald|access-date=14 April 2025}} The film was made with the intention of raising money towards Lifeline Express and close to £4000 was sent to the organization.
Soundtrack
Release and reception
The film was screened as part of the Short Film Corner section at the Cannes Film Festival in April 2013 before being screened in Edinburgh.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/athit-naiks-short-film-gets-its-big-ticket-to-cannes/articleshow/20206123.cms|title=Athit Naik's short film gets its big ticket to Cannes|date=23 May 2013|work=The Times of India|access-date=14 April 2025}} The film was well received in Scotland. In December 2013, Malhotra received the Best Director award at the Mini Box Office Film Festival in Mumbai.{{Cite web|url=https://ecofindia.org/member/nilesh-malhotra/|title=Nilesh Malhotra|work=Ecofind|date=2025|access-date=14 April 2025}}
In an interview with The Herald, an anonymous reporter said, "I have never seen anything like it since Braveheart. Another anonymous reporter said, "Can Cannes cope with this cinematic currycane [hurricane]? Don't ask me".