Pandit Nehru and his love for kids rechristened 14th November as Children's Day in India, a day dedicated to all kids of our nation. While kids may consider 'playing' the best form of entertainment, Bollywood time and again doles out stuff that more or less succeeds in attracting and appeasing kids. We list out some of the best-known children's films to have released in Bollywood.
Chota Chetan
Perhaps the best ever kid's film to have come out in the 90s. Chota Chetan had all the ingredients that one needed to keep his or her kid hooked. From magic to fantasy to fun, Chota Chetan was a runaway blockbuster not just with kids but adults as well. The 3D effect, the first ever in Indian cinema, only increased the thrills.
Chillar Party
Kids dressed in their cute little underpants and sporting fancy names like Fatka, Jhangiya, Aflatoon, Panauti, Silencer immediately attracted attention for all things good. Two highlights of the film were the Chaddi march where all kids marched in their underwear and Ranbir Kapoor special item song called Tai Tai Phish.
Mr India
Oh yes! Has there ever been a villain more loved than Mr. Mogambo (Amrish Puri). Has there ever been a character as quirky as Calendar (Satish Kaushik). Has there ever been a movie in Indian cinema where an invisible actor (Anil Kapoor) kept audience riveted? Mr. India and his pack of orphan kids along with Sridevi thrilled everyone of us to bits and pieces. Among the many highlights of the movie, the one that still stands out is the fight sequence at a gambling den between Sridevi and the local thugs.
Stanley Ka Dabba
A school-teacher, who forces children to share their food with him, forbids one from entering the school until he brings his own lunch-box. Watch Stanley Ka Dabba for child actor Partho Gupte's powerful performance and his dad Amol Gupte's brilliant direction.
Koi Mil Gaya
Hrithik and Papa Roshan joined hands to give kids a new character to love and adore, a cute alien named Jadoo. Jadoo and his supernatural powers that transformed the underdog kids into superheroes along with Hrithik turned Koi Mil Gaya in to one of the biggest ever blockbusters. Hrithik's kiddish act as a school going boy was well appreciated as well.
Rockford
This coming-of-age movie is more for the kids entering their early teens when raging hormones and other teenage issues come to fore.
Krrish
Kids needed a superhero and Rakesh Roshan provided them one. The cape wearing masked Hrithik Roshan made kids come back to the world of Indian superheroes with great vigour. Hrithik was much loved in his supernatural avatar and kids went crazy forcing their parents to buy them the Krrish merchandise which included the mask and the cape.
Hawaa Hawaai
When underdog kids surpass mounting obstacles to emerge winners, it makes for a great visual spectacle. Hawaa Hawaai deals with the story of a poor kid becoming a national skating champion courtesy the great help offered by his selfless slum dweller friends. Watch this one for its pure emotional content.
Bhoothnath
When an old ghost befriends a kid on earth, masti is bound to happen. And so it did when Amitabh Bachchan played Bhoothnath and tickled all bones with his funny antics. Kids ofcourse found it easier to connect to Bhoothnath Amitabh rather than the superstar Amitabh.
Taare Zameen Par
Aamir Khan found out a unique way to combine entertainment with education. No film could ever educate masses about dyslexia like Taare Zameen Par. Darsheel Safary played the role of a dyslexic child to the T while Aamir as his saviour ended up winning hearts.
I am Kalam
An impoverished boy inspired by the life of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam develops a strong desire to learn. In his journey, he ends up forming an unlikely and unstable friendship with the lonely son of a nobleman, The movie will tug the heart strings of every Indian and it ends up giving a strong message, "Children come to school not only for information but also for transformation".
Makdee
Haunted mansion, evil witch and kids running scared. Vishal Bhardwaj's debut film had a riveting story and an exciting star cast and all elements that kids would love to see in a movie.
Bal Ganesh
The best way to get kids interested in mythology is by creating characters that they could easily identify with and Bal Ganesh succeeded in doing just that. It was animation and innovation at its very best.
Which is you pick for the day? Let us know in the comment section below.
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