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Lost childhood of baby stars

We all love to watch baby actors enacting various roles on screen. So sweet, we exclaim, when they charm us with their baby innocence and childlike acting. Hollywood films ET, the Peter Pan series films, Baby's Day Out, Home Alone, Paper Moon, Sixth Sense, and closer home in Hindi cinema, Masoom, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Main Aisa Hi Hoon, Bajrangi Bhaijan,wouldn't have been the same without their cherubic angels stealing our hearts.

But what about the child actors thrust under the limelight at such a young age? How do they cope with the loss of their childhood innocence and their freedom to enjoy the little joys of life? We know for a fact that Hollywood star Drew Barrymore resented her being forced into stardom at such a young age. MacCaulay Kulkin became a maladjusted adult when he grew up. So many Hindi child stars could not retain their stardom as adults and slipped into depression and anonymity.

How does the child cope with the glare of the harsh arc lights day in and day out? Her time for play is a distant dream for her, studies are relegated to the background and she hardly finds time to attend school. In short, all the things normal children take for granted are a mirage for this little child star. She is compelled to work, come rain or shine or poor health or plain lethargy. And before she realizes it, her childhood has passed her by.

When you smile indulgently next time on observing their antics on screen, spare a thought for the poor child behind it....and be thankful your child is not one of them.

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