Kanku is a 1969 Gujarati social drama film, starring Kishore Bhatt, Kishore Jariwala, Pallavi Mehta, directed and produced by Kantilal Rathod. The film deals with struggles of a widow, Kanku. The film was adapted from Pannalal Patel's short story of the same name. The film won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati at the 17th National Film Awards.
Plot
The film is set in rural north Gujarat. Kanku marries Khumo and their marriage life is happy. Khumo dies at young age while Kanku is pregnant. She is a widow in grief but waits for birth of her son Hiriyo. When Hiriyo is born, she spends most of her time in raising him. Many prospective males proposes remarriage but she declines and does farming and raising his son in struggles of poverty.
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Luchchan Re Luchchan
| lyrics1 =Venibhai Purohit
| extra1 = Ismail Valera
| length1 = 3:18
| title2 = Aa Mast Ghatao Shravanni
| lyrics2 = Venibhai Purohit
| extra2 =Ismail Valera
| length2 = 3:28
| title3 = Mune Andhara Bolave
| lyrics3 = Venibhai Purohit
| extra3 = Hansa Dave
| length3 = 3:27
| title4 = Paglu Paglaman Atvanun
| lyrics4 = Venibhai Purohit
| extra4 =Hansa Dave
| length4 = 3:33
Release
The film was released in theatres in 1969. The film was released on Home Video DVD by Moser Baer. It has shorter cut of 136 minutes, 12 minutes less than the original. Film critic Amrit Gangar considered Kanku as the "first real spark in Gujarati cinema firmament".
Accolades
Pallavi Mehta won an award at 6th Chicago International Film Festival in 1970.