If I have to list one of my favourite SRK movies, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa would make a mention most definitely. A movie ahead of its time that made us realise we are all blessed to be unique, blessed and comparing one thumbprint with another is the biggest mistake we can make. The mistake our parents make.
In so many ways as parents, we are as guilty as Boman Irani ( Virus) in the movie 3 idiots. We are constantly scouting for what our kids are good at and assuming this will be their career. We make labels faster than the Barista at Starbucks calling out our name.
We just need one aunt to tell us “Oh! your daughter sings so well, why don’t you get her to join singing classes?” and there we go. The hunt for a good music teacher begins and we channelise all our (and our child’s) energy in doing that. If your child enjoys cricket we make it like ours and their full-time job. So much so that the child hates cricket after that and wants to quit it before or soon after they reach their peak.
And when they do that- we go ahead and ruthlessly label them a quitter. And if they don’t reach their peak we end up saying- “iska kya hoga? He/she is not good at anything, wonder – is he/she average – how will he/she earn a living?”
As we take on the new year head-on and approach the exam season, I suggest 6 movies that you and the kids must watch- whatever be their age. They will love the experience of cuddling with you watching them!
1. Tamasha:
One of my favourite movies that didn’t fare well at the box office- but taught me a lot of lessons! Read my take on why this movie should be on every parent’s watch list.
Let’s open the playgrounds, ask our children what they want to be, and smile at that answer. Let us enable them to be the best at whatever they want to be.
2. Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa:
Sunil was that average boy, who was distracted, the world told him he was useless and that soon became the norm of his life. He chose to lie versus disappoint his parents because as parents we’ve already burdened our kids with our expectations.
Woh toh hai albela, hazaaron mein akela, sada tumne aib dekha hunar toh na dekha.
3. Chhichhore:
The story of a teenage son of a divorced couple, and his fear of being labeled a “loser’ in life. The father recounts his journey when he was young to his son, and how he was a part of a ‘loser’ gang of 6, and how things turned around for them because of their hard work. It is important to teach our kids that life is about living in the present – not focusing on failure and success. We need to be dedicated to our craft, be honest, and win with integrity.
Success ke baad ka plan sabke paas hai …lekin agar galti se fail ho gaye…toh failure se kaise deal karna hai…Koi baat hi nahi karna chahta
4. 3 idiots:
This movie needs no introduction at all and it is on everyone’s must-watch list. There is no average. Whether it was Farhaan who could have been a good engineer but ended up as an exceptional photographer or Raju – who could have been a good engineer but ended up as a famous blogger. What we choose to do with that knowledge is more important.
We are that generation where our kids are at a cusp of studying for careers that do not exist.
For me as a parent today the most important thing my child should know is adaptability, agility, flexibility, and knowing what she doesn’t want to do. There are so many things we all want to do that even at 40, the list of things I want to do and be are long and frankly, confusing!
5. Taare Zameen Par:
Again needs no introduction but especially for parents with 2 kids this one is gold! Trust me being 1 of 4 was hard for me. My sisters were so sharp, focused, obedient that my natural instinct as the youngest one was to not be like them. I hated my parents ever telling me to be good at everything my eldest sister was good at. I made up my mind to not do anything remotely like my eldest sister. According to my father she was the perfect child he always wanted. As years progressed and I made my choices he came around but the middle/teenage years explaining to him who I was was tough!
Har bachche ki apni khoobi hoti hai, apni kaabiliyat hoti hai, apni chahat hoti hai.
6. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander:
This one is again a classic – filmy of course but it reflects on a large part of the youth today, who have tons of ideas and have gone on to create their own paths. Being disillusioned is not always bad.
Not knowing what you want at that very moment is not bad. The only thing bad at that moment is running away from decision-making and not taking responsibility for your decisions.
So to all those parents who are stressed/anxious about their kids, their exams, their kids being average, just breathe!
Maybe binge-watch these movies, be that punching bag your kids need in this very hour. Think about what you knew at 13, what are you expecting your kids to know at 13, and what you are doing today.
Did your 13-year-old self know you were made for this or you will enjoy doing this? For some of us who are stuck in jobs we don’t enjoy – do we want our kids to be caught in the same trap of doing something that they don’t love? Start thinking.
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Rati Ramadas Girish
KSP Team
KSP Team
Rati Ramadas Girish
KSP Team
KSP Team
