The Death Of Bachpana: Why Did Bollywood Stop Making Good Children's Movies?

There was a time when an entire genre of Bollywood films existed for children. You could grow up on masterpieces like Bhootnath, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, Tara Rum Pum, Toonpur ka Superhero and so many such films. They had big-name celebrities in lead roles and the films were primarily meant to cater to a younger audience.

In a time when commercial films are growing in importance, it is understandable why such films for children won’t garner as much money as a Disney film like Zootopia 2. However, an entire genre of films now simply not existing feels like rubbing salt on a wound.

The Death of Experimental Films for Children

© Baba Films

For most of us growing up, cable TV offered a variety of children’s films that had morals and that factor of excitement that made you want to watch more. Taarzan: The Wonder Car, Ferrari Ki Sawari, Bhoot and Friends, and many more may not be the critically acclaimed masterpieces you’d want them to be. However, they were an integral part of most of our childhoods.

Whether they were animated films, live-action films or a mix of the two media, there was always something available for children to watch that was foundational to their growth. You cannot expect a film like Janataram Mamantaram to be released in today’s time.

The more expensive it is becoming to create films and to actually screen them on theatres, the less likely such films are to exist. It isn’t the fault of actors who want to earn money either since movies like these releasing in theatres meant a weekend outing for families.

Going to the Theatre Is as Good as a Luxury

© UTV Spotboy

Now, a family outing to the theatre would be as good as visiting a semi-luxurious restaurant. As such, films that aren’t commercial in nature are made less frequently. This kind of experimental genre is very risky to dive into since it contributes very little to the filmography of those actors as well.

An independent film that doesn’t make so much money would still help classify an actor as someone who is talented and worthy of awards. A children’s film that means very little to the overarching audience cannot exist without preparing for major losses.

Chillar Party, Abra Ka Dabra and Jumbo would barely make a fraction of the money it would take to actually make the film.

For cartoons and children’s media, there are always OTT platforms like Netflix and JioHotstar, as well as the flexible availability of YouTube. You can find almost anything that is kid-friendly on YouTube now. This renders the need for cinematic and theatrical films, no matter how foundational they may be.

As much as we may miss them, their era has since ended, and it is, begrudgingly so, something we must accept. Family films can exist, stuff that wouldn’t hurt the parents’ pockets when they have to spend so much money, but the same isn’t the case for films specifically made for children.