Published By: Nirtika Pandita

Bollywood: Must watch movies with children

Get a bowl of popcorn, sit with your children and binge-watch these films

Drawing, pottery, and dancing are enough activates to keep your child busy and be involved with them. But have you tried watching children friendly Bollywood movies. Indian cinema has a plethora of films to choose from and to indulge your child.

Stanley Ka Dabba Amol Gupte’s debut film deals with food in a sensitive yet funny manner. The story revolves around a boy who brings to school empty tiffin and how he is confronted by his teachers. The twist comes when the boy takes ways for filling his lunch box. The movie explores self-esteem and the spirit of friendship.

Makdee Directed by Vishal Bharadwaj, this film is a mix of fantasy and reality, exploring themes like witches, haunted houses and powerful myths. At times scary and most of the time funny, Makdee will make your kid laugh and cry. With Shweta Prasad and Shabana Azmi’s strong performances, the song ‘O Pappad Wale’ will make your child dance with joy.

The Blue Umbrella Also by Vishal Bharadwaj, but this film is based on Ruskin Bond’s book of the same name. Every single word from the book comes to life when you watch the film. The story revolves around a little girl called Biniya with a bright blue umbrella and the tussle that starts after, between her and the village shop owner Khatri who wants the umbrella.

Anjali Not many people are aware of this film by Mani Ratnam. It is an emotional story about a cute little girl born with mental problems, whose existence is kept hidden by her father. The story is emotionally gut-wrenching as the mother and daughter discover and accept each other. The film won three National Film Awards and was chosen as India's official entry to the Oscars in 1991.

Iqbal This is about Iqbal, a deaf and mute boy from a remote village that lacks opportunities as he dreams of becoming a cricketer. The story gets interesting as it starts to follow Iqbal in his transformation and the struggles he surpasses to achieve his dream.

Chillar Party A comedy family drama directed by Nitesh Tiwari and Vikas Bahl, it is entirely led by innocent but feisty kids who live in Chandan Nagar colony and how they take on the world of politics when one of their friend's life is endangered. The kids are given funny names as per their quality in the film, like ‘Silencer’, ‘Aflatoon’, etc. It won the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film and has an underlying message of how small children can bring a huge change in society.

Cute, innocent, inspiring and bold, these children films are a must-watch for every Indian household. With entertainment, you will have a few life lessons to teach your children.