Children’s Day is celebrated all across the nation every year on November 14. Children’s Day also known as Bal Diwas was chosen to celebrate India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's birthday.
Nehru was a great advocate for the rights of children. He advocated for an all-inclusive education system. So, November 14 is celebrated to spread awareness around the rights, education and welfare of the young ones.
On Children's Day, watch 'Shyam Ki Mummy', 'Budhia Singh-Born to Run', 'Dhanak', 'Raya and the Last Dragon', and 'Skater Girl' for some enlightening insights into the hearts and minds of the young.
If you’ve ever yearned to revisit the innocence of childhood and experience life through the eyes of the young, then these five stories could take you back in time. They will immerse you in the realms of imagination and connect you to the thoughts and feelings of the young.
'Shyam Ki Mummy'
Adapted from a two-act Marathi play by Ashok Patole and directed by Purshottam Berde, this Hindi teleplay depicts how the current education system is taking a toll on students. It portrays the personal journey of Shyam, who is preparing for his board exams and is being forced by his mother to forgo the simple pleasures of childhood to score great marks in his exams. This riveting production highlights the shortcomings of today's educational system and the impact of parental pressure on young minds. It stars Nirmiti Sawant, Milind Phatak, Dharmaj Joshi, Rahul Kumar, and Sayali Sudhakar.
'Budhia Singh-Born to Run'
'Budhia Singh – Born to Run' is a biographical sports film that won the honour of 'Best Children's Film' at the 63rd National Film Awards in 2016. Directed by Soumendra Padhi, it was based on the life of Budhia Singh, the world's youngest marathon runner, who ran 48 marathons, when he was only five years old. The film also depicts how the talent of underserved children can be turned into a media circus to benefit adults. Budhia Singh was sold by his mother to a travelling salesman for ₹850 at the age of two and then came to be trained by Biranchi Das, a local judo coach and orphanage operator. Was he ready for the rigours he was subjected to is a question that remains unanswered till date. The film stars Manoj Bajpayee as Biranchi while Mayur Patole plays the titular character. You can watch it on Netflix.
'Dhanak'
Having seen a poster of Shah Rukh Khan's eye donation campaign, 10-year-old Pari takes her 8-year-old brother Chotu, who is struggling with visual impairment, to the actor’s shooting venue in Rajasthan. She hopes that he will help to restore her brother's vision. Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, this story showcases the determination of a loving sister and the depth of the bond between two siblings. The heartwarming tale stars Krrish Chhabria as Chotu, Hetal Gada as Pari, Vipin Sharma, Gulfam Khan, Rajiv Laxman, and several others. You can catch it on Netflix.
'Raya and the Last Dragon'
This animated American action film directed by Don Hall and Carlos Lopez is centered around a mystical land called 'Kumandra.' The narrative unfolds within a vast kingdom divided into five distinct lands, forming a complex and multifaceted world that our protagonist, Raya, must skillfully navigate. But what makes this narrative remarkable is its groundbreaking portrayal of a Southeast Asian warrior princess. The cast/voiceover artists of this animation film are Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang, and Gemma Chan. It is available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar.
'Skater Girl'
'Skater Girl' takes us on a thought-provoking journey in the rural districts of Rajasthan, where a young teenager discovers her life-altering passion for skateboarding. Directed by Manjari Makijany, the film highlights the limitations imposed on rural girls who are often denied the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Available to watch on Netflix, 'Skater Girl' features Rachel Sanchita Gupta, Shafin Patel, Amrit Maghera, Jonathan Readwin, and Waheeda Rehman.
