Genie Bachchan to charm kids

He will don a new avataar for Sujoy Ghosh's upcoming film. National award for Bachchan? | Big B is the present, Jr B the future

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan will play a genie in his first children's film along the lines of the

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Arabian Nights

fantasies.

The film, tentatively named Alladin and the Mystery of the Lamp, will go into production next year, a newspaper said on Thursday.

"Right now, I am scouting for international talent to do the special effects," director Sujoy Ghosh said.

"Mr Bachchan is very clear about the fact that if he's doing a children's film its production values have to be on par with international standards."

Bollywood churns out popcorn romances and revenge sagas by the hundreds every year. However, a new boom in animation cinema is bringing about a change.