MELBOURNE, 19 August 2024: Childhood is a fascinating period. As one catches up with life and starts to wonder how some things happen, the riddle takes a while to open up. For example, a question like, how a baby is born or created or, where did I come from and so on.
In ‘Little Thomas’, two hours long, premiered today at the IFFM 2024, a seven-year-old boy (Hridansh Parekh) tries to stop his parents (Gulshan Devaiah, Rasika Dugal) quarrelling and having a brother. This children’s film genre movie, tackles a subject faced by many parents as their kids start to grow up. Based in the 1990s Goa, the movie is a light comedy with a big relevant message.
The parents struggle with their bakery business along with raising a growing child. The bakery business has its ups and downs which creates ripples in their relationship. The school-going child ‘s mind-set is influenced by his school-mates and they often talk about subjects that create an ambience from a kid’s perspective. Their talks are some of the best moments in the movie.
Director Kaushal Oza (Film & Television Institute of India) smartly weaves the feel-good movie into the positive direction, despite some rather moderately-tense situations and happenings. The child’s obsession is now settled on one premise that if his parents kiss each other, that can lead to having a brother. While one of the school-mates talks about a rational way for it.
Gulshan Devaiah (father), Rasika Dugal (mother) and Haridansh Parekh (son) give stellar performances. Rasika is composed and looks realistic in the Goa milieu. The movie is a big relief on big-screen after the not that long back violent stuff moving around from Bollywood and Hollywood as entertainment.
Whether the boy gets a brother or not should be seen in the movie. I am sure you will like this family movie.
Little Thomas is a as much a movie for adults, as much it is for children. A family film that gives a pragmatic message. – Talk to your kids and answer their questions realistically. Kudos to all those who helped produce the movie including Anurag Kashyap (one has to believe it).
The ‘Little Thomas’ team needs to be commended for this movie. And, a hug to IFFM-2024 for premiering it.
I give it 4 & half stars out of 5.
Cast: Gulshan Devaiah, Rasika Dugal, Hridansh Parekh, Hridyansh Gokani, Ninad Pandith, Mahabanoo Mody- Kotwal
Director: Kaushal Oza
