With Karnataka government announcing subsidy of Rs.25-lakh each to four children's films, the trend of making Kannada children’s films has picked up. Earlier, there were not too many producers interested in making films for children, since it was not economically viable.
There is at least a subtle difference between films about children and films for children. A majority of children's films that are being produced today do not have content that portrays the world of a child. Producers are now keen on availing themselves of the attractive incentive, but very few have the conviction to make films that really focus on the children’s world, without making it preachy. Even the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has objected to the trend. CBFC has recently rejected certification for a children's film, which was ridden with violence against children.
Two films, which hit the screens last week dealt with the education system, mother tongue, regionalism, man and animal conflict, cow politics which have dominated political discourse, subtly in the language easily grasped by the children.
The first one being Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shale, Kasaragodu, Koduge Ramanna Rai (SHPSK) by Rishab Shetty. This film stresses on education in the language that children dream in , and has been given “U”, certificate by the CBFC. “We applied under C (Children) category, but, we got Unrestricted Public Exhibition (U) Certificate.”
SHPSK which enjoys the credit of being a movie with the longest title (nine words) in the 85-year old history of Kannada cinema, was screened by Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy along with Ondalla Eradalla by D. Satyaprakash.
This film is relevant as the issue of Karnataka government’s plan to shut down government and aided schools and Kerala government appointing Malayalam teachers in Kannada Medium Government Schools in Kasaragodu are being debated furiously.
Besides raising a pertinent issue, SHPSK is an eye-opener to the government, which is apathetic to government schools in the border areas of Karnataka. Many schools in the border of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are being closed down because of lack of facilities as well as shortage of teaching faculty.
SHPSK will force Karnataka State Border Area Development Authority to improve the condition of Kannada medium schools in border areas, at least by deputing Kannada teachers and providing basic facilities.
The film underlines the argument being presented by writers and linguists that imparting education to children in the language they dream and converse is a must. Rishab focuses on a school in Kasargod which forces children to dream and converse in a language alien to them -- which is the language of their neighbouring State, geographically close. Rishab also stresses the need of having healthy linguistic relation with the neighbouring states. He has achieved this skilfully, without seeding parochial feelings.
While dealing with such a complex issue through the eyes of children; Rishab Shetty does not make the film preach chest thumping regionalism. This is where exactly film differs from other Kannada films which have dealt with similar subject. Though the film could be viewed as children film, SHPSK is an adult film (not in terms of censor certificate). He narrates the story of a Kannada medium school in Kasargod, which gets closed because of a corrupt Malayalam Education Officer, who finally discredits a neighbouring State. Rishab Shetty's understanding of native culture and using it effectively provides different treatment altogether to the film.
Ondalla Eradalla, is the second experiment of D. Satyaprakash, whose critically acclaimed debut film, Rama Rama Re won critical acclaim. Though Satyaprakash doesn't want to dub it as a children’s film, it was screened under the children’s category of Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy. “This is not a children’s film. But a film to be watched by children. This film will be loved by innocent minds or those who turn innocent on watching it.” His earlier film was viewed as "philosophical", and in this second venture he wanted to explore "innocence". He says: "innocent peoples are the greatest philosophers of society". He highlights and emphasises the term innocence right from the beginning. Through innocence, Satyaprakash tries to unveil various kinds of inequalities the society is ridden with. The film is a perfect emotional journey altogether.
By his own admission, he has taken a cue from the popular Punyakoti story. The story speaks of the ecological damage man has done for greed, not out of need. He metaphorically presents people with malice as the tiger in Punyakoti and the innocent ones to Punyakoti, the cow. Finally, it is a tussle between the hunter and the hunted and Satyaprakash succeeds in communicating it. The cow in contemporary times is also used as a communal tool, and to divert attention from real national issues.
“Responsibility on the director making children’s film will be more, compared to adult film,” says Satyaprakash. These words also sound like a caution to each and every one who is eager to churn out children’s film with an eye on subsidy.