A sneak peek into the top three children's movies in Kannada and why they are considered the best to date.
Top three children's films in Kannada. (Supplied)
Childhood memories have a special place in all our hearts. Despite growing up to become adults, the child in us never dies.
Most of us still love to watch the famous Tom and Jerry cartoon shows and hum the “Jungle Jungle baat chala hai, chaddi pehan ke” song from the Jungle Book animated series whenever we accidentally hear it online.
As a child, we all had our favourite films and characters from it that we adored. India has produced some of the finest children’s films that are an integral part of millions of lives over the decades.
As we celebrate 14 November, India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday as Children’s Day, let us take a sneak peek into the top three best children’s films in Kannada and why they are considered the best to date.
The Kannada film industry has made some of the finest children’s films over the decades. Of the several popular ones, tracing the top three best children’s films is as good as asking a mother to pick her favourite child.
Released in the year 1960, this one is probably the first ever full-fledged children’s film in Kannada that was made on par with other commercial films back then.
The movie was simultaneously made in Tamil and Kannada by veteran filmmaker BR Panthulu, arguably the first pan-Indian filmmaker who directed and produced several successful films in multiple languages including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.
In Kannada, the project was titled Makkala Rajya; in Tamil, it was released as Kuzhandhaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu.
Tamil thespian Sivaji Ganesan made a special appearance as a scientist in the Tamil version, while BR Panthulu and MV Rajamma played the lead characters.
Master Umesh was among the other child actors who acted in the film.
The plot was way ahead of its time, with a scientist taking children to an unknown planet, where children establish their kingdom. Hence, the title Makkala Rajya (meaning a place ruled by children).
Master Umesh, who played the lead child, became a popular comedian in Sandalwood.
Directed by popular lyricist and filmmaker Geetha Priya, Putani Agent 123 (1979) is considered one of the best children’s films in Kannada.
It is still the number one choice at the Children’s Film Festivals.
The movie featured Ambareesh, Uday Kumar, Srinath, Manjula, Shakti Prasad, Sundar Krishna Urs, and Tiger Prabhakar.
Master Bhanu Prakash, Master Ramakrishna Hegade, and Baby Indrani played the lead child actors.
Putani Agent 123 is about the adventurous escapades of three brave children.
Directed by veteran filmmaker Rajendra Singh Babu, Simhada Mari Sainya was released in 1981.
It marked the entry of Arjun Sarja as a child actor, who went on to become the “Action King” in the South film industry.
Bollywood actor Amrish Puri also made a special appearance in this flick.
Simhada Mari Sainya has a long list of child actors, including Baby Rekha.
Its story revolves around a team of children headed by Master Arjun Sarja, who heads for a daring rescue mission.
Arjun Sarja’s breathtaking stunts were a highlight of this film. It also had the much-needed humour and fun for a children’s film.
The Kannada movie went on to win the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Female Child Actor and Best Editing in the year 1981-82.
A few other notable children’s films in Kannada include Eradu Nakshatragalu (1983), Bettada Hoovu (1985), and Chinnari Mutha (1993).
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