I feel strongly about entertainment for children, Says Mukesh Khanna

Actor Mukesh Khanna best known for his part as India's own super-hero Shaktimaan has just been appointed the new chairperson of the Children's Film Society Of India (CFSI). He discusses his connectivity with kids and his vision of a children-friendly cinema with dna.

In a country where children's films are almost non-existent you seem to have inherited a thankless job?
A huge responsibility has been placed on my shoulder. And I think I am up to it.I had been offered various other positions. I was even offered the chance to contest elections. But no, that wasn't my scene. I didn't have time to give to politics, so I declined. I didn't want to cheat on my job. I said yes to this because I feel strongly about entertainment for children.Yes, I've noticed that in India we consider children's film to be a minor thing. I have never thought like that.

Your connection with children is very strong because of Shaktimaan?
I made Shaktimaan specially for children.To this day I am asked to play Shaktimaan again by children everywhere. In my opinion entertainment for kids must be treated on a par with what's done for adults. I feel we don't give the same importance to children's entertainment as the Western audience.

In what way?
We feel children only need to be sermonized. Children must be entertained first. Only then will they accept the message that you want to convey . This is what I did in Shaktimaan. I implored children to drink milk. But that isn't the only thing we did on the serial.I only felt films for children in this country were not good enough. Now it's my turn to do something about it.

What do you have in mind?
I remember once I was in jury to judge children's films.Many members of the jury complained that there were no theatres for children's films. My response that was, 'Why ask for theatres for children? Why not make such films that exhibitors come to you for children's films?'I remember Amitabh Bachchan singing Mere paas aao mere dost for kids in Mr Natwarlal. Kids forced their parents to see the film. I want to do exactly that. Gets kids interested in films.

Enthused by the new responsibility?
I am really looking forward to doing something that kids can see. I was on the jury for the National awards once. I saw jury members walk out of children's films. If they couldn't sit through films meant for children how can children be expected to sit through them?