Rasika Dugal opens up on the importance of children’s films ahead of Little Thomas: “Cinema for all must include children too”
After Mirzapur The Movie, Rasika Dugal turns her attention to children’s cinema, highlighting the need for films that engage young audiences and encourage their curiosity.
Discussions around inclusive cinema often focus on diverse representation, varied storytelling and reaching audiences across different backgrounds. However, children remain an audience that receives relatively less attention. Actor Rasika Dugal believes that cinema should also cater to young viewers with stories that entertain them while encouraging them to ask questions, explore their imagination and understand the world around them.
Directed by Kaushal Oza, Little Thomas follows Thomas, a curious young boy whose questions about where babies come from and his desire for a sibling form the central part of the narrative. Rasika plays Jessie Miranda in the film, which explores everyday situations through a child’s perspective and examines the conversations that can emerge from childhood curiosity.
Speaking about the importance of making more films for children, Rasika Dugal said, “Cinema is a wonderful way to expand your world and fuel your imagination. Many of the thoughts and ideas we have as adults can be traced back to the films we watched growing up. We therefore need films that children can relate to — films that embrace their curiosity rather than dismiss it. Children’s cinema can be entertaining without being frivolous and meaningful without becoming preachy. I would love to see more filmmakers explore stories that children can enjoy and that open up new possibilities for their imagination.”
With Little Thomas, this approach finds expression in a familiar family setting, where a child’s determination to find answers drives the story forward. Instead of dismissing Thomas’s questions as insignificant, the film places his curiosity at the centre of its narrative.
Through this premise, the film explores childhood, family relationships and the ways adults respond to children’s questions. It also highlights the importance of creating space for young minds to express themselves and seek answers without feeling discouraged.
Rasika’s comments underline the need for children’s cinema that balances entertainment with meaningful storytelling. By presenting situations that young viewers can relate to, films such as Little Thomas can encourage children to think independently and approach the world with curiosity, while offering adults an opportunity to reflect on how they communicate with younger members of the family.
The post Rasika Dugal opens up on the importance of children’s films ahead of Little Thomas: “Cinema for all must include children too” appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.