Child actor or Superstar ???

Child actors are now as big as superstars. They get the same kind money and even have the same attitude

POST the success of Taare Zameen Par, Darsheel Safary reportedly quotes 75 lakhs for a film. And Swini Khera, the Cheeni Kum kid, refused a Shyam Benegal movie as she had a ‘dates’ problem. Today’s child stars not only have a keen business sense but are also media-savvy and sport an attitude befitting a superstar. While kids their age are busy packing their bags and doing their homework, these little stars get ready for photoshoots and fashion shows.
Jugal Hansraj, who started his career as a child actor in Masoom, thinks the change in attitude is because of all the exposure children get today. “Now every little detail becomes headlines. So kids have become more aware and media-savvy,” he says.

The change in the economics of the film industry is also why child actors can afford to have the attitude of a mega star, says Manjunath Nayake, who played Swamy in Malgudi Days. He has also portrayed various roles as a child in Kannada films alongside some of the leading stars of the industry. “Commerce plays a major role. There wasn’t so much money in movies then and the media wasn’t so diversified. Now there are numerous ads and a lot of money going round. It’s a simple question of demand and supply. The demand is more today and kids are making sure they get what they deserve,” he explains.

There’s another reason their priorities have changed, says Manjunath. “Earlier, we had to make sure that we finished our studies. There was not much security in the film industry. That’s not an issue these days,” he says. Jugal agrees and points out that a few years ago movies weren’t made on a huge scale. “Masoom was made with just 27 lakhs. Today, stars themselves earn in crores so the value of a child star has also increased,” he says.

So has fame and the numerous opportunities. While Jugal did one movie a year as a child, Swini Khera and Aman Siddiqui (who will make his debut with Bhoothnath) have three to four films a year in their kitties. Bijayan Bose, regional head of a multiplex, believes that’s because of the different kinds of movies being made. “A child actor has more scope to perform. And Darsheel has become a trendsetter. With his performance, he proved he could carry a film on his shoulders. The kind of impact he has made is huge. People want to watch his next movie. He is cashing in on his success, which he totally deserves,” he says.

When it comes to ascertaining their market value and fixing their fees, it takes some good business sense. “And all the media glorification makes sure that kids know what they are worth,” explains Manjunath. “That’s a positive change. I’d put in Rs 100 for a movie featuring Darsheel. So why shouldn’t he get his due?” he says, adding that in his days, name was bigger than money and, “it was more important to earn goodwill than lakhs”.