Family fare pushing out children's films: Nandita Das

New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS) Actress Nandita Das, head of the Children's Film Society, rues that unlike other countries not enough films here focus on children and blames the economics of the trade for this.

"In our country, a lot of so-called family films push out children's films. Unfortunately, economics is always interferring with art. Every decision is governed by finances; obviously, they want more eyeballs," Nandita told IANS.

"Even though many of them (family films) are like children's film, they want to call it family films and insert certain things for the young, certain things for the old and package it as family films -- it's really sad," she said.

The actress was in the capital to inaugurate the three-day children's film festival, organised by Children's Film Society Oct 20-22 at the Siri Fort Auditorium.

The films that will be showcased are "Krish, Trish and Baltiboys", "Lilki", "Chutkan Ki Mahabharat", "Karamati Coat", "Halo", "Sunshine Barry and Disco Worms", "Yeh Hai Chhakad Bakad Bumbay Boo" and "Charandas Chor".

"We have selected eight films because it's a smaller festival and we wanted to give children a variety for three days. As we do regular screenings, we get encouraging feedback from children," said Nandita, who has films like "1947 Earth", "Bawander", "Aks" and "I AM" to her credit.

The 41-year-old, who is busy organising International Children's Film Festival that will be held in November, says it is time to find an alternative and start focussing on children's films like other countries.

"When were curating international film festival we saw lot of countries, governments, organisations really focussing on children's films, whether its Denmark, the Netherlands, China, Taiwan or the US," said Nandita.

"Recently, there has been a spate of children's films, but we have to see whether it's a passing phase or a trendsetter. But, yes, instead of criticising the kind of stuff children get to see, I think we need to create an alternative and that is what we are trying to do at the children's film society," she said.

"(We should try to) create fun but good quality films that are enriching and entertaining and not sort of preachy and boring. We have to balance it well with right kind of values (without getting) heavy handed," she added.

Nandita Das Pictures