I Am Kalam (2011)

Director: Nila Madhab Panda

Producer: Santanu Mishra

Starring: Harsh Mayar, Gulshan Grover, Pitobash Tripathy, Husaan Saad,

Beatrice Ordeix, Meena Mir, Sanjay Chauhan,

Release Date: 05-08-2011



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The title of the film itself describes what is the story all about. The film is a tale enthused by the maverick leader, India’s former president Dr Abdul Kalam.



The film traces the life of Chottu (Harsh Mayar), a poor kid with a million dollar smile. He is very sharp and interested in studies, but his mother can't afford to send him to school. So, at an age when children play with toys, he starts working in a small road side food stall under Bhati (Gulshan Grover).



Also working with him at the stall is the hardcore Amitabh Bachchan fan, Laptan (Pitobash Tripathy) who never leaves a chance to bully him. After listening to a speech by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Chottu changes his own name to Kalam and starts working towards his dream of becoming a bada aadmi one day.



Through an engaging, entertaining and fast-paced, fable-like narrative, the film takes the viewer to the world of Chhotu, who at one point starts



referring to himself as Kalam after watching on TV, Kalam speak about how he got his education fighting several odds.



He befriends a local price Ranvijay Singh (Hussan Saad), who hails from a royal family. The two kids become the best of friends and start helping each other. Ranvijay teaches Kalam English while Kalam teaches him Hindi. What follows is a heartwarming story about friendship, perseverance and pursuing dreams.



Nila Madhab Panda's directorial debut is a sweet little gem. It's one of those rare films that is simple and yet very moving. It shows in an absolutely non-preachy way that dreams do come true. And it's karma and not kismat that helps in fulfilling one's dreams. The narrative includes many brilliant moments that you'll remember for a long time. It also tackles the menace of child labour in a very mature way.



A sensitive film on the plight of the underprivileged, it is also about how the privileged class can play a role in the uplift of the less-privileged millions.