Do you watch movies with your kids? Here is a list of 10 Indian movies which you must watch with your kids 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 kids can be a very moving experience.
Here is a list of 10 movies that you can or should watch with your kids.
1. Taare Zameen Par:
Ishaan an eight-year-old who excels in art but has a terrible academic performance is troubled by his parents’ constant complaints. Ishaan’s teacher diagnoses him with dyslexia and then starts the struggle to help him overcome the disability. Along with educating parents on dyslexia and other lesser-known problems, Taare Zameen Par makes for an enjoyable and inspirational watch.
2. Stanley ka Dabba:
A school teacher forbids Stanley from entering the school until he brings his own tiffin box and this puts him in a fix, as unknown to others, he is an orphan. The story of Stanley is a heart-wrenching tale with an inspiring endnote.
3. Makdee:
Twin sisters, Chunni and Munni are trapped by the village witch. The evil witch demands some difficult tasks be done by the girls to save their life. How the girls get out of the trap makes for a fun-filled and adventurous story. Definitely a good watch for kids!
4. Jajantaram Mamantaram:
Inspired by Gulliver’s Travels, this film has Javed Jaffrey playing a Mumbai-based sailor who is trapped on a remote island surrounded by tiny people. The movie also shows some great graphics and an interesting war fought between the sailor and the villain Chamunda. A great entertainer, this one will teach your kids about friendships, favours, and undying love.
5. Chillar Party:
A tale of a group of carefree children who try their hand at politics when a new rule is made to capture all stray dogs! Chillar Party is truly an inspirational story of children being independent and fighting for what they believe in. Let your kids watch and learn.
6. Gippi:
A 14-year-old fun loving girl in Shimla, Gippi lives with her mother and brother. The story of how she deals with common teenage problems and the physical, emotional and social changes adolescence brings with it is what this movie is about. It will inspire kids to love themselves for who they are and be happy in their own little world without striving to live like someone else.
7. Gattu:
Gattu is the story of a small town boy who is determined to defeat a black kite named Kali, which dominates the sky. Kids in the town believe Kali has some mysterious origin. Every kid dreams of defeating the black kite, but Gattu has a very strong will power to do so. A tale of undying determination and faith, this one will have your child hooked.
8. My Friend Ganesha:
An eight-year-old boy whose parents have no time for him becomes friends with Lord Ganesha who stands by him through thick and thin. Together they help the needy and share some fun moments teaching the cruel a lesson. This movie will instill in your little one faith in the Almighty.
9. Bumm Bumm Bole:
This is a story of a family who lives hand to mouth, working for a tea plantation. Misplacing a pair of shoes creates havoc in the lives of the children as they can’t attend their expensive and respectable school without shoes. How the little kids work around this situation is worth watching.
10. Do Dooni Chaar:
This movie chronicles the life of a school teacher with meagre means and growing needs. How this school teacher resists the urge to accept a bribe and sticks to his morals even in tough times makes for a great watch. A delightful and light-hearted movie with an important lesson to take away, your child will love this one.
11. I Am Kalam:
An intelligent boy born into poverty, Chhotu is all of 12 years when he is forced to work at a roadside tea stall. He aspires to study but has no resources to go to school. This story is about how Chhotu, inspired by watching Ex-President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on television decided to become a better person.
12. Halo:
Halo is a heart-wrenching movie that traces the journey of seven-year-old lonely Sasha, who loses her dog Halo. This little girl tackles all kinds of people and situations in the city in search of her pup. Finally, when she finds him she sets him free. Her journey makes for a gripping tale with a great lesson.
13. Hanuman:
This animation film traces the life of Lord Hanuman right from his birth to when he goes on to rescue Goddess Sita from Ravan’s Lanka. It’s an action-packed movie that will acquaint children with mythological characters and teach them morals too.
14. The Jungle Book:
Another classic that cannot be missed is the story of Mowgli and his friends in the jungle. This animation movie set in the deep jungles of Madhya Pradesh combines a brilliant story and tons of suspense with lovable characters!
15. The Blue Umbrella:
This movie is based on a novel by Ruskin Bond and follows young Binya, from a small village in Himachal Pradesh who manages to get her hands on a blue umbrella. Soon people start getting jealous of her new possession and scheme against her. A film that will teach kids about jealousy and greed, this one makes for great cinema for kids.