Blog: Make some more movies for kids 
By IndiaFM News Bureau, October 22, 2007 - 08:58 IST
Bollywood has always stayed away from films based on kids with very few exceptions . Those who dared to go into this lane got lost somewhere and ended up at a dead-end . I looked back in Film history & I could not find many good films whose central theme was based on kids . The number of such films is so less that it can be counted on fingers . Whereas on the contrary in Hollywood there have been numerous films that are made just for kids . In India some of the kids movies which have been made are just so pathetic and are so much inspired from Hollywood that it is even hard to watch them once . Indian film makers don't give any importance to such cinema whereas greats like Steven Spielberg have also made it .
I am glad that Aamir has ventured into this stream that too in his debut movie as a director . I would like to appeal to all the biggies who make so many melodramatic films but don't even think about Indian kids and just work for Money . They can risk a little bit money in this direction and they should , to start a new trend .
Still there are some films that have been made in India which are worth a mention . Here's my top 10 list of kids movies :
1. Mr. India : The best movie which is made for kids by far . It is not only first science fiction film of India but also a great movie for Kids. The emotional portrayal of Arun by Anil Kapur as the uncle of so many orphan kids is very moving .The legendary character of Mogambo (Amrish Puri ) creates a place in every kids mind. The kids that were selected for this movie by Shekhar Kapoor were just fabulous and they acted very naturally without any effort. The movie also sends out a message not only for kids but also adults. The science fiction element serves as a food for imaginative and creative minds of Kids. I have seen this movie well over 30-40 times as a kid and I still enjoy it. The best part in my opinion is the originality of Script. This movie deserves more applause than it has got.
2.Makdee: Directed by Vishal Bhardvaj this is a good kids mo vie which revolves around two twin sisters , Chunni and Munni . One sister in simple and the other one is naughty. This is a fun filled movie with some scary scenes for kids . Pure and healthy fun and also gives a good message to kids in the end. The songs are also quite good . Vishal Bhardvaj , I think is the only mainstream director who has made films for kids but this one was made before Omkara which got him fame . Shabana Azmi has given a splendid performance in the role of Makdee , the witch .
3. Koi ... Mil Gaya : This movie in my opinion is not a p ure Kids movie but I had to put it in the list because there are very few such movies . Still Hrithik's fabulous performance as mentally underdeveloped kid and Director Rakesh Roshan's sense of Direction make this movie worth a watch for every Kid . This movie does not send any message to the kids but some of the scenes are quite moving . Though the sequel is not at all a film for kids , this one has some elements of it . As a Director I think Rakesh Roshan can make a big budget full length feature film for kids .
4. Jajantaram Mamantaram :
This movie made under i-Dream production by Soumitra Ranade is a good attempt as a movie for kids . Based on the old Gujarati fable of Bakasur, which tells the tale of a sleeping giant who wakes up only to eat people. The film is also inspired by Gulliver's Travels . The stories of Bakasur and Gulliver have been adapted to a contemporary situation. Aditya (Jaaved Jaaferi), a Mumbaiite, reaches Shundi, a mythical island. To his surprise, he finds the inhabitants to be much smaller than him. Though initially the villagers feel that Aditya is there to harm them, they soon make friends with him. However, danger is lurking in the background. Chattan Singh (Gulshan Grover), the army chief, has with him a magical contraption with which he creates Jhamunda, a giant. Jhamunda terrorises the village. He coaxes the villagers into giving him children from time to time for food in return for a promise that he will not plunder the village. The movie didn't work due to little loose screenplay and boring songs in between . Yet it is a good attempt and worth a watch if you are a kid
5. Blue Umbrella : This movie recently won the National Award for kids film . Again , Directed by Vishal Bhardvaj Blue Umbrella is a screen version of Ruskin Bond's short story Blue Umbrella. It is about a young girl Binya (Shriya) who trades her superstitious lucky charm of bear nails in return of a Japanese Blue Umbrella with tourists. Instantly she becomes a center of attraction of the villagers. A small trader Nandakishore (Pankaj Kapoor) eyes of the Blue Umbrella and tries all ways of get the umbrella. When Binya's umbrella is stolen - the police raid Nandakishore's shop. Facing this humiliation and to show that he too can afford or buy an umbrella, Nandakishore orders a similar Japanese Red Umbrella. Once the Red Umbrella comes, he gains back popularity and respect from everyone in the village. The movie is well directed and just perfect portrayal of Ruskin Bond's story . Vishal is an excellent director and he should keep doing such projects . He also said in an interview that kids films are rarely made in India whereas films like Harry Potter are breaking Box Office records worldwide.
Oops!!! I ran out of movies , my Top 10 has just gone half way and thats it , I can't think of any other movie which is made for Kids . Well this is how pathetic the condition is . There were several unsuccessful attempts like "Raju Chacha" & "Chain Kulli ki main kulli" but I still would like to applaud their producers for at least attempting to make one .
So its high time that Indian Producers & Directors pay heed to my sincere request -- " Guys Please Make some more movies for Kids of India , they should not need to watch towards the Hollywood !!! "
Saurabh Jaiswal blog can be accessed at http://bollywoodrated.blogspot.com/2007/10/top-10-kids-movies.html
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