He may have charmed an entire generation of kids as 'Shaktimaan' but actor Mukesh Khanna feels it is truly sad that children today have no options to watch good quality content on TV or films.
Khanna says no big producers are willing to put in money in children's films, as a result kids are deprived of their kind of cinema.
"I think children don't get children's films. They either watch Saas-Bahu serials, which they shouldn't watch, or watch films with dialogues like 'Itne chhed karuga, itna maaruga'.
"It is a sad part that our so called big producers are shying away from making a children film," Mukesh told reporters here.
Citing an example of the blockbuster "Bahubali", Khanna said it is good that such big budget movies are being made in India, but it would be good if even a small percentage of the money is put to make children's films.
"We are yet to prove that even we can make a 'Harry Potter' here. We make big films like 'Bahubali', and I had even said that you spend Rs 250 cr to make a 'Baahubali', but you should also spend Rs 10 cr and make a children's film."
The 58-year-old actor was speaking at an event of Children Film Society of India (CFSI), of which he is the chairman. Shravan Kumar, CEO of of CFSI was also present.
Khanna said CFSI is trying to make films and make sure they get a proper release so that other producers get interested in making them.
"We organise festivals, go to schools, have apps. We not only want to make children films but also want them to be successful. One children film works, ten will be made.
"We need to make successful films so that the big-wigs of the industry come and make such films. Then we will have our own 'Harry Potter', 'Spiderman', and even 'Shaktimaan' once again," he added.
Children's Film Society, India along with Government of Rajasthan will be organising the second edition of National Children's Film Festival in Jaipur.
The three-day fest will begin from November 14 and the theme this year is "Make in India."
The film festival will kickstart with the screening of 'Gauru- Journey of Courage'. The movie, filmed in Rajasthan, has been produced by CFSI and directed by Ram Choyal.
The festival this year will be showcasing around 40
films, including movies like "Gopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiyaa", "Budhia Singh (On the run)" among others.
Apart from the movies, there will be a series of 3-4 cultural programmes based on the 'Make in India' theme by Terrence Dance Group, puppet show by Satyajit Padhye and Assam's "Bihu" dance.
The inaugural function of the festival will happen at Birla Auditorium, Jaipur and will see a host of workshops, open forum, discussions around children cinema.
