From Taare Sameen Par to Secret Superstar: Bollywood Movies with Childhood Narratives for the New Age

Author: JE Entertainment Desk
Sunday, 23 July 2023 04:15 PM (IST)
Source: JND

Over time, the style of Bollywood movies has changed and there has been a noticeable change in how children are portrayed. Recent years have seen the rise of a wave of new-age Bollywood films that are redefining how children are portrayed. Beyond common stereotypes, these films have adopted a more accurate and nuanced portrayal of childhood experiences. Let’s take a look at Bollywood movies that capture the essence of childhood in a refreshing and empowering way that resonates with young and old alike.

Taare Sameen Par (2007)

Directed by Aamir Khan, ‘Taare Sameen Par’ is a heartwarming story of Ishaan, a dyslexic boy played by Darshil Safari. The film beautifully highlights the struggles of children with learning disabilities and the importance of nurturing their unique talents and abilities.

Stanley Ka Dabba (2011)

Amol Gupte’s ‘Stanley Ka Dabba’ is a fun film that follows the journey of Stanley, a schoolboy played by Partho Gupte. The film sheds light on the importance of empathy, kindness and every child’s right to education.

Chiller Party (2011)

Directed by Vikas Bahl and Nitesh Tiwari, ‘Chiller Party’ is a heartwarming story of a group of young children who take it upon themselves to stand up against injustice and fight for their rights. The film emphasizes the power of unity and friendship between children.

Bhootanath (2008)

Directed by Vivek Sharma, ‘Bhootanath’ features a friendly ghost played by Amitabh Bachchan who befriends a young man named Banku played by Aman Siddiqui. The film explores themes of friendship, imagination and childhood innocence.

Secret Superstar (2017)

Advait Chandan’s ‘Secret Superstar’ tells the story of a girl played by Saira Wasim, who aspires to become a singer despite her restrictive family environment. The film is a moving portrait of a child’s passion and determination to follow her dreams.

Dangal (2016)

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, ‘Dangal’ is based on the true story of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters Geeta and Babita Phogat, played by Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra. Celebrating the spirit of women empowerment, the film breaks gender stereotypes.

Super 30 (2019)

Directed by Vikas Bal, ‘Super 30’ is based on the life of mathematician Anand Kumar played by Hrithik Roshan. Highlighting the importance of equal opportunities in education, the film showcases Anand Kumar’s efforts in training poor children for the prestigious IIT entrance exams.

These Bollywood films represent a new wave of storytelling that empowers children and challenges social norms. These films have struck a deep chord with audiences of all ages as they highlight the struggles, hopes and goals of young characters. As Bollywood has evolved, the portrayal of children in films has grown more diverse, reflecting the changing dynamics of new-age cinema.