A special child makes history by featuring in a full-length feature film

A differently abled child will play the lead inMakan: The Kid , a movie directed by actor-singer Rajeev Rangan.

Seventeen-year-old Eldo will don the greasepaint for the venture. “As far as I know, this is the first time in Indian cinema a differently abled child is playing the lead in a feature film,” says Mr. Rangan.

He does not plan the movie as a regular commercial one, but promises that it will be an entertainer.

At the same time, it is an entertainer. “The main objective is to create awareness about the challenges faced by children with Down’s Syndrome,” he says.

In the movie, Eldho plays Varun, the child of theatre artistes John and Bhuvana. The plot revolves around the parents’efforts to help him realise his potential. And, in turn, through him, the parents overcome a difficult phase in their lives.

“Society is not still aware of the fact that all people with Down’s Syndrome need to live full and rewarding lives. Even in the West, with all its material achievements, the awareness has not sunk in.

In Italy, a boy with Down’s Syndrome was recently rejected from a summer school because the staff said he was too difficult to manage. Parents often have negative thoughts after having a baby with Down’s Syndrome. But with most of them, a special relationship develops as the child becomes more responsive,” says Mr. Rangan.

He has been associated with a few schools for children with special needs.

“I have closely watched and interacted with the children. So, I may claim this is a movie straight from the heart,” he says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / by Special Correspondent / Thrissur – June 29th, 2014