Arun Vaidyanathan is the Director of Achchamundu! Achchamundu!, Peruchazhi and Nibunan. He recently directed the children’s film, Shot Boot Three and says, “When the National Awards removed the Children’s category and no-one is bothered it’s so sad. None of the filmmakers, the big stars or production houses raised their voices, they cannot say that even a single film is good. Ī was so disappointed. I would blame the media too.

“Children’s films need support from both the industry and audience but this is negligible. I had a good cast such as Sneha, Venkat Prabhu, Nazar and Yogi Babu in Shot Boot Three, yet to make people even watch the film we had a tough time. Everyone wants to run in the same direction. Violence sells, if you analyse the films that have become hits in recent times, either there is violence or caste related issues or both. Tamil cinema has locked itself into these two genres. There is a dearth of good humorous movies with intelligent jokes because the makers feel that the audience won’t support these. Whatever sells is being made.

“We reached over 1500 schools with Shot Boot Three but only 30 schools supported us. We screened the film for many principals and correspondents and they liked it, but they did not want to bring the children to theatres to enjoy. Kids who came to see the film clapped and cheered for it the way they would a Vijay, Rajinikanth or Ajith film. However, to multiply this, as an independent producer I did not have the funds. We had a tough time getting theatres and even OTT support. We thought it was only our film but then realized Sivakarthikeyan’s Kurangu Pedal which faced issues.

“Shot Boot Three was screened at several international festivals but many think that only if films are at Sundance, Cannes or Berlin they are worth it. They think that winning at other festivals is not so significant but they can just google to check see how long a festival is running and its prominence. The Atlanta International Film Festival has been running for 9 years and they select just 30 or 40 films out of 200 to 300 and Shot Boot Three got selected.

“Today, we hear of students entering classrooms and assaulting others, students beating up teachers, in our days, we would get off the cycle if we saw our teachers on the way, such was the respect. This news is shocking but what we read and what we see definitely affects our brain. Blood has become normalised, earlier kids would close their eyes if they see blood. Parents still want to take kids to a Vijay or Ajith film even if there is violence. Kids copy what adults do.”

Some have the question, why should we? “Amongst the 8-crore people in TN, atleast 2 crores are kids, what films are you making for them? It’s a huge responsibility as they are our country’s future. As for the studios, they don’t want this small money, they think it’s too much of effort for small profit. However, everyone has to chip in.

“In the US, they target 4 children’s movies each for Summer, Thanksgiving and Christmas. In an industry that produces at least 220 films a year, if there are 20 films for children, there will be a space for them. The Government should support this move and give a subsidy. We are requesting production units to charge less. Schools can support by taking it as a field activity, imagine the joy of sitting with your classmates and watching a film, cheering and hooting.

“It can be taken as a CSR activity by all distributors and companies. For instance, studios producing films for 200 crores a year can allocate 10 crores for 3 films, even if it’s a loss. A good kid’s film promoted well will win, there are so many brands that want to reach kids. Shot Boot Three kind of films can be distributed in a better and bigger manner. We tried to achieve production quality, something like Home Alone meets Stan Baby.

“Learn from foreign films and do it in our own way and use their marketing techniques, the kind of money they make with children’s films in the USA is phenomenal. Bring in the best brains for children’s films. Big production houses can use stars and bring excitement to kids.

Mahesh Babu dubbed for Lion King but why not create our own. When you present something through audio visuals, it will stick in the mind. Certain movies in childhood such as My Dear Kutti Chaathan leave a lump in the throat, the same as when the alien leaves in ET. Values like friendship stay in our heart.

“If all work together we can bring out quality children’s films.”