Do you watch movies with your children? Here is a list of 11 Bollywood movies which you must watch with your children to teach and learn important life lessons and values.“Cinema is the mirror of life” is a popular adage but sometimes Cinema moves beyond the realms of mere entertainment to become educational or inspirational. In Bollywood there are many fine examples of movies that inspire, educate and broaden the mind. Watching such movies with your children can be a very moving experience. Here is a list of eleven movies that you can or should watch with your kids.
1. Stanley Ka Dabba
Stanley ka Dabba is the young Amol Gupte’s debut film and yet it has all the makings of a masterpiece. The subject deals with food in a very sensitive yet delicious way and the mouth watering visuals are enough to make any child fall in love with the movie. The movie explores themes like sharing,
self esteem and the spirit of friendship that encompasses all boundaries. This is a beautiful heart-warming story that every child should watch.
2. Taare Zameen Par
Taare Zameen Par is a movie starting Amir Khan and Darsheel Safary is a story of a child suffering from learning disability called dyslexia. It is very challenging for this child as his parents are also unaware that he is coping with
dyslexia. They feel that the child is being mischievous and not showing interest in studies. This movie delivers an important message that if children are unable to learn the way we are teaching them, we must try to teach them the way in which they want to learn. Another message hidden in this movie that every child has a hidden talent but it is very important to identify it at right time before it is too late. This movie is a must watch for every parent.
3. Makdee
With Makdee Vishal Bharadwaj entered a realm he had not attempted before i.e. children’s movies. He delivers a marvellous juxtaposition of fantasy and reality with this movie. Makdee explores themes like witches, haunted houses and powerful myths while probing the deep seated fears that live in everybody’s minds. This is a funny and a very brave film that upholds the values of sisterly love which conquers sibling rivalry. Makdee will make your kids laugh and cry and it is especially good for nurturing sibling bonding.
4. The Blue Umbrella
Blue Umbrella is another wonderful children’s movie directed by Vishal Bharadwaj. In this movie he has done a stunning job of adapting the simple story penned by Ruskin Bond. This is a movie that is full of dark corners but they will enthral rather than frighten. The story is about a little girl with a beautiful blue umbrella and how the entire village starts lusting after it. The movie delivers a profound learning; that even the worst human beings need to accepted and forgiven.
5. Anjali
Very few people know about the existence of the movie “Anjali” which is really sad since it is one of the finest works by Mani Ratnam. Anjali is a thoughtful and emotional story about a pretty little girl who was born with mental problems. Her father hides her existence from her mother with the former telling the latter that Anjali was born dead. How the mother and daughter discover each other and finally accept each other is the story and it will surely make both you and your kids fall in love with the main character.
6. Iqbal
Iqbal is a great movie to watch with your kids especially if they are a little older. The lead character Iqbal is deaf and mute and belongs from a very remote village where there are no opportunities and existence is a struggle. Iqbal dreams of becoming a cricketer and the process of how he translates his dreams into reality forms the main crux of the story. Eventually Iqbal achieves his dream and the way in which he does that is an inspiration for every child with a dream.
7. Hum Hain Rahee Pyar Ke
In case you love comedy then Hum Hain Rahee Pyar Ke is the ideal film for you and your kids. This movie narrates the story of Rahul a.k.a Amir Khan who is entrusted to take care of his dead sister’s kids. The children hate him and he too tolerates them grudgingly. However, things change when the feisty Vyajanthi or Juhi Chawla enters their lives. How she wins over the hearts of the kids and all of them are transformed into one happy family comprises the rest of the story. This is a typically feel good movie which will succeed in winning over your kids.
8. Hathi Mera Sathi
This is a movie that explores the special bond between humans and animals. The story explores the deep friendship between Raju (played charmingly by Rajesh Khanna) and an elephant. How the duo stick together through the various changes that come in Raju’s life is explored in the movie. This movie was earlier screened in schools and movie halls on Children’s Day such was its popularity.
9. Koi Mil Gaya
The 2003 Rakesh Roshan directed Sci Fi film Koi Mil Gaya is only the first in the series. However, the presence of the cute alien Jaadu who is a hot favourite amongst the kids is enough reason to give the movie brownie points over its rather insipid sequels. The lovely songs and the bubbly Priety Zinta are the icing on the film which your kids are sure to love.
10. Do Dooni Chaar
Your kids will learn the powerful values of sharing and support in the family context from the Habib Faisal film. The story revolves around Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia who play a middle aged struggling couple with a powerful dream of buying a car. How the family manages to make their dream true is a hilarious yet touching story. All of you are going to love this film.
11. Tahaan
Santosh Shivan’s beautifully made yet woefully under rated movie Tahaan is something that every child should get an opportunity to watch. The movie explores the deep affection a little boy holds towards his pet donkey. The backdrop is the dazzlingly beautiful Kashmir. This is a movie that will teach your kids about the value of unconditional love.
So the next time you go to a DVD rental store or are stuck thinking of what movies to show your kids, you will know which ones to look out for.
Are movies good for children? What can children learn from movies? Which are the best Bollywood movies for children? Discuss here.
