Tollywood ignores kids films

Every two years, Hyderabad grabs the attention of filmmakers and movie buffs across the globe in mid-November. The fixed venue for the International Children’s Film Festival (ICFF), the city pulsates with excitement for a week. And when the celebrations come to an end and the last of the speakers, who talk about the need for children’s cinema, head home, the spotlight turns off.

Only a few Indian films qualified to be screened at the 16th International Film Festival, to be held from November 14 to 20 in the city. Of them, only two are Telugu. In fact, less than five children’s movies are made annually by Tollywood, which churns out more than 150 movies a year.

Industrywallahs, who have swept the genre of children’s cinema under the carpet, blame it on the scarcity of funds and lack of interest. P. Sarath Kumar, member of the Censor Board, says, “What is the point in taking home a Golden Elephant when you suffer losses? People talk about children’s films only on November 14 and then forget about them.”

The economic hurdles are far too many, lament the few directors who have tried their hand at this genre. Umesh Shirupalli, the director of Circus-Circus, one of the two Telugu movies being screened in this festival, says, “After I finished Circus-Circus, I approached the Film Development Corporation (FDC) to get funding. They claimed that they did not fund movies that are already made. Distributors too don’t realise that there is a huge market for children’s movies,” adds Umesh.
Director Jaya couldn’t agree more. “Earlier, the government used to grant Rs 25 lakhs for every children’s film. Now the aid doesn’t exist. The government should at least give tax exemptions to exhibitors willing to screen children’s films.”

K.S. Rama Rao, former president, AP Film Chamber of Commerce, says, “The FDC comprises politicians, who have nothing to do with films. One can’t expect them to be sensitive towards the cause. The government should take steps to make it feasible to provide meaningful entertainment to children.”

Talking about the issue, actor Nandita Das, chairperson, Children’s Film Society of India, says, “The quality of children’s films is poor. I wanted to come up with an awards category for Indian movies for children, but we found that not more than six movies are eligible for screening in the festival. We are going to address this issue in an open forum this time.”
The quality of children’s films in india is poor. Not more than six movies are eligible for screening this time.Nandita Das, chairperson, CFSI