'Kaphal' kids set for first theatre experience

The child artists of Batul Mukhtiar's "Kaphal" will get a chance to watch a film in a theatre for the first time at the forthcoming 18th International Children's Film Festival.

"Kaphal" is selected for the Competition Live Action category at the seven-day festival, popularly known as The Golden Elephant, commencing Nov 14 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

Coming from the villages of Garhwal region in Uttarakhand, child actors Harish Rana, Pawan Negi, Anuraj Negi, Ajay Rana and Anjali Negi, never got an opportunity to watch a film on the 35mm screen.

It is very important for them to get the chance to view their film on a big screen, said Amole Gupte, chairman, Children's Film Society, India (CFSI).

"The 'Kaphal' kids have never been to a cinema hall before. They only had an access to a television set in their villages. For the first, time they will see films on a big screen at the 18th Golden Elephant," said Gupte who has directed children film "Stanley Ka Dabba" and scripted "Taare Zameen Par".

The director further added: "We have invited them to the festival not only because they are the lead actors of 'Kaphal' but also because we felt it was really important to provide them with a first-hand experience of what they deserve."

"Kaphal" is the story of two brothers, who join forces with an alleged witch of the village, and come up with a plan to make their father disappear.

The film's selection for the competition section comes as a source of encouragement for Mukhtiar.

"It gives me a lot of hope that there will be more platforms available for children's films and this will give them the importance they deserve," Mukhtiar said.