TOI Article on Toddlers being TV stars

The extracts in the article pertaining to Balika Vadhu is shared as under:

The mother is always around
While one might think that these children are being 'taught' to cry or laugh on cue, the makers tell us that no such thing happens. Their parents are always around to guide them. "We try to capture natural expressions of the kid, and the mother is always standing somewhere near the child while the camera is rolling and giving them cues. If we have to capture a child crying, we try and capture it when he is in a cranky mood," says Gajra Kottary, writer of Balika Vadhu and Ek Veer Ki Ardaas...Veera.

Dolls instead of kids when there's a safety risk

Kottary says that the safety of the child is the most important thing while shooting scenes with them. "For instance, in Balika Vadhu, when there were chase sequences which required Ganga (Sriti Jha) to run with her kid, we gave her a doll. We took long shots or shots from the back. Even though we received a lot of flak from our viewers for shooting the scenes in that manner, we couldn't risk the safety of the child," she says.

The audition process of these little stars
"Before selecting a kid, we see to it that they are not generally cranky. There are some babies who start crying when they are surrounded by many people, so we try not to choose them," says Kottary.

Rules for shooting with toddlers
"According to the rules, the production houses can't shoot with toddlers for more than one hour at a stretch and for more than six hours a day. One of the parents has to be present on the sets at all times. All these rules are laid out in the agreement signed between the parents and the production house. There should be all kinds of facilities available for the kids - proper food, hygiene, books, toys and a clean washroom," says Gajendra Chauhan, vice president, Cine and TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA ). While CINTAA doesn't have any rules that determine the pay package of these toddlers, industry insiders say that these kids are paid anywhere between '2,000 to '5,000 per day.

TFS.

"For instance, in Balika Vadhu, when there were chase sequences which required Ganga (Sriti Jha) to run with her kid, we gave her a doll''

Then, what was this all about ?

Anandi - A true heroine in reel and real life

''While shooting an action sequence in Balika Vadhu where the culmination of an important track is going on, our Anandi faced a small mishap and like a true heroine saved a child's life.

While shooting the prelude chase sequence the actors had a small accident where Anandi (Toral) and the kid fell and doctors were called on the set .

Fortunately, Toral didn't let the kid get hurt as she saved him by putting with her hand underneath him. In the process , Toral bruised her hand.

Really, Anandi is a true heroine in real life. Just like her character, Toral showed real strength and helped save a child's life. We salute her on this women's Day and wish her a speedy recovery!''

Thanks for sharing..nice to know they care for childs.

Toral is real heroine 😆

Joke of the century. From the next point on mannu is replaced by a different child character as the parents of that kid left with their kid.