Directing a film with children is never child’s play. With over two hundred little voices raising a din on set, you might end up tearing your hair out. Tamil director Pandiraj agrees, but it’s not his first time doing this.
“The effort you put into such a film is double that which goes into a regular film,” he said. Pandiraj’s debut film, Pasanga, about schoolchildren, was a National Film Award winner.
“After Pasanga, I decided that I would not work again on a similar film.”
But then this father of two boys had to eat his own words.
It happened two years ago, when he was searching for a good school for his oldest son, Anbukkarasu.
“During discussions with friends, some shared the woes their children with ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder] faced at school. In fact, some were forced by the authorities to remove their children. That set me thinking,” he said.
Two years of research about ADHD culminated in a script and set rolling Pasanga 2. Pandiraj’s story revolves around two seven-year-olds, Kabin and Nayana, and their families.
New child actors, Nishesh and Vaishnavi, play the lead. The supporting cast includes Karthik Kumar (of Evam theatre group) and Bindu Madhavi. Actor Surya, who has produced the film under his banner, 2D Entertainment, has a cameo and is paired opposite Amala Paul.
“Children with ADHD have an IQ of 120-130 and are geniuses. They need innovative methods of teaching to hold their attention,” Pandiraj said.
Pasanga 2 looks at their world through the eyes of their parents and teachers, too.
“It’s quite a challenge for teachers when they are given a class with around forty students as is prevalent today,” Pandiraj added.
“This is a film for the entire family,” he promised. “Watch it with your children.”
So will he work again with children?
Pandiraj laughed. “Despite the challenges, it’s a joy working with kids. I will be making more films on them and with them.”
For now, Pandiraj who has two other films (Idhu Namma Aalu and Kathakali) ready for release, is relaxing at home with his two pasanga (children), 6-year-old Anbukkarasu and 3-year-old Shri Ranjan. Now that is child’s play.
Pasanga 2 releases in India on December 4.
