Easiest to work with kids: `Jalpari` director

Nila Madhab Panda shares a special connection with kids.

New Delhi: Orissa-based film director Nila Madhab Panda, whose films saw children playing major roles, shares a special connection with kids and says it is easiest to work with them.

The 38-year-old made his debut in 2010 with National Award winning film ‘I Am Kalam’, about a poor Rajasthani boy, who is inspired by former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam`s life and has a strong desire to read and write. "I have a special connection with kids. I believe the way a child can narrate a story in his innocence, an adult can never do that," Panda said. Citing an example, Panda added that when a chainsmoker is asked by people to quit smoking, he may not do it. "But when a child says the same, it hits you and the person stops it. When a child puts up questions, it touches your soul." His second film ‘Jalpari: The Desert Mermaid’ came this year and talked about female foeticide and received good reviews. Children will be a part of his film in future too, says the director. "Children are a major part of the society and they will always be a part of my films. My next two films are not children`s film. They are family entertainers, but yes, there are kids playing important characters," he said. Didn`t working with child artists restrict you? "Not at all. People think there are restrictions with children but I feel working with them is much more easier. You can`t always treat them as children. The moment you start treating them like a person and understand them, they are the easiest people to work with." "Adults complain, throw tantrums and sometimes lie too, but children never do that. When a child says he is tired and can`t work, then it is genuine," said Panda. IANS