CHILDREN’S MOVIES TO SEE DURING LOCKDOWN:

For the past couple of weeks, there seems to be nothing to talk about except one thing. CORONA. The situation is serious and we know that at present the drastic measures taken is possibly the only major way to deal with  the rising menace. It will not only help stopping the spread of infections, but also make it easier for authorities to monitor and trace any cases already present.

As grim as the situation is, I can’t keep one thought off my mind. Whether this closeness will strengthen the bond between families or will we end up suffering from an overdose of each other. Therefore, it’s really necessary to find the kid in us again. I will tell you why.

CHILDREN AND LOCKDOWN:

Most of the children haven’t been to school for over a month, with exams of some schools being over early. Since then they have virtually been inside. And now they can’t even cross the home boundaries. My 7 year old niece says that when these 21 days end she will take her 2 friends, no more, and celebrate with band-baaja on the road. No wonder children are restless. But restless as they are, they are showing exemplary restraint and understanding. More than the compulsive morning walkers/ joggers. More than some educated people who find it funny to post mocking or irresponsible messages on social media.

Picking up scraps of conversations between elders they understand the graveness of the situation. Sometimes helping with the chores, sometimes chiming in a few suggestions for easing out the situation. It’s rather endearing to see them inventing ways to keep themselves busy and from being bored. There is T.V. of course, but I often find that the cartoons themselves are quite violent at times. But “Ramayan” & “Mahabharat” have started and we hear that some other older serials might also be re-run. A good way to introduce the time of our childhood to the younger generation. Nostalgia has struck, hence, another suggestion to get back to time when many of us were kids.

CHILDREN’S MOVIES AND THOSE DAYS:

During 1980’s and 90’s the DD telecasted children’s movies made under the aegis of CFSI, especially during summer vacations. These films made with children and youth in mind have a lot to offer.

So to keep your young ones engaged and entertained for a while during this lockdown, here’s a list of some of the best children’s movies. These are pure pleasure and will uplift everyone’s mood in these tough times.

1. TRIYATRI (1990):

The movie is a story of three friends- Ravi, Surya & Aadi. The 3 go out on a cycle trip from Bombay (now Mumbai) to Kanyakumari, to find out the true meaning of “shiksha” (education). Among my all time favourites, it can possibly be called India’s first travel movie.

2. NETRAHEEN SAKSHI (1991):

Based on Arup Kumar Dutta’s, The Blind Witness (1983), the movie was directed by veteran screenplay writer Nabendu Ghosh. As the name suggest the movie is about Ram, a blind boy. He has a friend, philosopher and guide in Gopalan Uncle, his neighbour. When Mr. Gopalan is murdered one day, Ram, being a witness, sets out to prove his Gopalan Uncle’s innocence of involvement in any crime as well as helping the police to catch his murderers.

3. RHINO (1987):

It is also based on Arup Kumar Dutta’s book, Kaziranga Trail, which incidentally won the first CBT award for best children’s book. Jonti, Dhanai & Bulbul are enjoying their holidays in a small village in Assam. Their Mamaji is the forest ranger of the area. After learning about rampant poaching of rhinoceros in the area the boys take it upon themselves to help their Mamaji. Thus begins the adventure.

4. WRONG MAURITIUS (2004):

A story woven around a postage stamp. A wrong postage stamp and one in reality worth $ 2 million. This entertaining story comes from noted Marathi writer B. R. Bhagwat (creator of Faster Fene). The central character of the movie, Bipin Bukalvar, first appeared in Lagi Sharth (2001), which is next on the list. To find out what’s wrong about the stamp just watch the movie.

5. LAGI SHART (2001):

Bipin Bukalvar loves books. It’s because of this love for books that Bipin makes a bet with Atul, who has a habit of making bets. Atul is proud that he has never lost any bet. He receives a gift of encyclopedias from his uncle. Since Atul is not much interested in the gift he makes a bet with Bipin. In case Bipin wins the bet he will get the whole set. Watch and find out who wins.

6. KATT KATT KAD KADDU (2000):

Sourabh’s parents have to go to another country for his father’s job. So they leave him at his uncle’s house for the period. Being a stiff retired naval officer Sourabh finds it difficult to adjust. But Morse Code helps him. To find out how, just watch it.

7. YEH HAI CHAKKAD BAKKAD BAMBE BO (2003):

An Indian version of “Famous Five”. Cousins, summer vacations, a village near the sea, a criminal plot being carried on secretly. All elements of a good old mystery. So join Ganesh and his cousins in the Koli village of Vangaon as they get entangled in a smuggling racket and face the wacky Don Douglas.

8. CHOO LENGE AAKASH (2001):

Sonu suffers from a slight handicap on her leg. Everyone in her village shows concern towards her, but without hurting her. One of her dreams is to climb the mountain near her village. Watch this one for the simplicity of story telling and to see how Sonu or rather anyone can overcome their disability to scale any mountain (literal or metaphorical) in life.

9. DHUMKETU (1985):

Dhumketu is based on a short story “The Comet” by Dr. Jayant Narlikar. Amateur astronomer Mr. Kailash Dutta lives with his family in Pune. His lifelong dream is to find a comet. Which he does one night. But that comes along with a bad news. The bad news is that the comet is going to hit Earth and bring destruction. Watch to find out how the tragedy is averted. 

10. LILKEE (2005):

Diected by Batul Mukhtiar, Lilkee is a simple and heartwarming story of how small things done by us can change a life. And changing even one life is enough. But wait, by that don’t get the idea that the movie might be heavy or preachy. It certainly isn’t. It’s just a simple tale of Lilkee, from a small village in Garhwal, who has to move to Mumbai to earn and support her family. How she adjusts in this life makes the basic story. The overall positivity of this movie is sure to lift your mood up.

FIND THE CHILD IN YOU:

As I said before, children are showing more patience than some elders. So it might be a good idea to utilise these days of lockdown and find that child inside you. The child who is restless, yet shows lot of patience. The child who can find ways to keep themselves busy, without much at hand. The child who can keep away all kinds of bias and forget any tiffs of the yesterday and start afresh. I hope the movies listed here help you to find that way to the inner child. Enjoy them with your kids. In case you don’t have any, enjoy it with the one inside you.

A REQUEST:

We are all going through a hard phase. A phase that no one ever imagined, let alone face. Not the public in general, not those in power, not the cops, not the administration. And no one knows how long this will continue. We are all equally worried. When we, sitting inside the safety of our house are worried about our supplies, just imagine how worried those who have to see to everyone’s supplies must be. How worried and tired those cops, the doctors and nurses must be. So, it would be lot better that instead of playing a blame-game or making complaints, let’s come together to find solutions. People will face some problems initially, administration will take a little time to figure out few things. As I said this situation is new to everyone. So, do make the problems known, but without that hint of sarcasm. Bring issues to the notice but without the touch of mockery in tone. Raise your voice, but also make suggestions. We need each other’s help and support. And people are helping. If we are not in a position to help, suggest solutions. What we do not need right now is finding faults and making hateful, mocking or irresponsible statements. A country is akin to a family and a family should stand together in such times, leaving aside all tiffs and differences. Just like the children forget their fights and come together.

DISCLAIMER: The screenshots, stills and videos from the movie are included here only for the purpose of information, entertainment and propagation of children’s cinema. The copyright over the film rests with the owners/ producers of the movie.