Kids in Punjabi Cinema

There is dearth of Films for Children in Punjabi Language,There have been attempt,but very few in numbers.If looked at films made by Children Film Society,there will be many films in other regional languages,but hardly two Punjabi films were funded by Children Film Society that too way back in 80s,These two films Sajjre Phul & Kashmira were directed by Famous Punjabi Film Director Sukhdev Ahluwalia,Sajre Phull released theatrically,and was even made in Hindi under title Khilte Suman,it had stars like Raza Murad,Mehar Mittal,Manorama etc in principal cast.In early period of Punjabi Cinema,Noorjahan got huge popularity as child artist in Punjabi Films,but later on films with important children characters were few and far between.Apart from Sajjre Phull & Kashmira,there was a film in recent times Stupid 7 directed by Pali Bhupinder Singh,it successfully presented issues faced by growing children through seven teenagers characters.But Chaar Sahibzaade & its Sequel will remain most popular film,when it come to films for children in Punjabi.

In past there have been few films with kids playing roles of childhood of leading hero or heroin,At times kids related to producers would do such roles(Producer da Munda,Bhatija,Hero da Munda or randomly would select any kid where shooting would take place).
Harry Johal-A UK based Radio Host & Producer,who played the role of young Raza Murad in film Maawan Thandian Chaawan,recalls that time",Film's producer was known to us,I was interviewed by Sukhdev Ahluwalia,he found me perfect for the part,and got selected without any screen test".
In 90s Yuvraj Singh also acted in few Punjabi Films as Child Artist.Actor Vijay Tandon's daughter Pooja Tandon(Lion of Punjab fame) also acted as child artist.Jaswinder Bhalla's Son acted in Stupid 7 as young teen,and graduated to do role of young characters.
So most of times kids were selected just because they were related to people,associated with the film.
Jannatpreet Kaur,a former child artist from Ludhiana,acted in Hindi & Punjabi Films,says there was difference of approach when it come to working in Hindi & Punjabi Films.She was last seen in Stupid 7.
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Off late with new experiments and subjects,Child Artists played important roles in most of recent releases like Love Punjab,Ardaas,Sardaar Ji 2,Nikka Jaildaar etc.
But today things are more professional,Manvir Johal was important as Amrinder Gill & Sargun Mehta in Love Punjab.Even though Japtej Singh got more popularity as young Milkha,in Bhag Milkha Bhag,but Punjabi Film Industry also took notice of his work in  as main protagonist Mitti Na Pharol Jogiya.
Agamveer Singh became famous with Gurdas Mann's Song Punjab,and got huge praises for his part.Ask him about popularity,he says he feel blessed when people notice him and give blessings.
Dilnoor Kaur,daughter of Actor Vikram Chauhan,did her first short film Najarbattu at the age of 2,after that she also did Sarwan and currently doing Aalna and Daana Paani.
There is Ansh Tejpal,who was in both parts of Nikka Jaildaar,also actively doing more projects.
Now the big question is,how they manage their studies,
According to Agamvir,his teachers are very supportive,so he never had any problem in making a balance between acting and studies.
Vikram Chauhan father of Dilnoor,says she is very bright student,and cover two weeks syllabus in two days.
They are making parents,school and themselves proud as child artists,but will they continue with acting career as adult ?
Jannatpreet says,of course after studies she will pursue acting again.
Similarly Dilnoor's parents feel that it will be up to Dilnoor,if she continued with acting as adult as well.
Prince Kanwaljit Singh is currently making a film Rabba Rabba Meenh Varsa,keeping young audience in mind.Beside that Rana Ranbir and Gurdas Mann's forthcoming films will also have child artists in important roles.
Punjabi Film Industry is finally going a professional way,with now enough scope for child artists as well,With Popular Film Awards,they should announce an another category for children too.