I Am Kalam
Encyclopedia
I Am Kalam is a Bollywood
film directed by Nila Madhab Panda
. The plot revolves around Chhotu, a poor Rajasthani boy, who is inspired by the life of the former President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. and his strong desire to learn to read. The character of Chhotu has been performed by Harsh Mayar, a Delhi slum boy. The film premiered at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival
on May 12. It has been showcased in various film festivals and has bagged various awards and honors.
The film was released in August 2011.
. Born into poverty, he is forced to find work at a roadside food stall under the somewhat kind owner, Bhati. Chhotu is quick to learn and impresses Bhati with his abilities. Near the food stall is a heritage hotel in the palace of an erstwhile royal family. Chhotu strikes up a friendship with the lonely Prince of the royal family, but the Prince is forbidden by his father from mixing with commoners .
One day Chhotu watches President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on television and it inspires him. Chhotu changes his name to Kalam and decides he wants to meet the president. He studies in his spare time and writes a speech for the Prince for a contest. The speech wins first prize at the contest, but soon after palace guards search Kalam's room and find the Prince's clothes. Kalam is labeled a thief and the rest of the story deals with how his actions lead to his destiny.
Even though Kalam is accused of being a thief, he does not reveal the source of his clothes in order to protect the Prince from his father. Kalam hitches a ride to New Delhi where he tries to meet the President. Meanwhile, the Prince tells his father that it was he who gave the clothes to Kalam and that Kalam wrote the speech which earned first prize. The nominal King realizes his mistake and sends the prince to find Kalam in New Delhi. Kalam is found near the India Gate and is brought back home. The King tells him that he can study in the same school as the Prince and employs kalam's mother as well.
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
film directed by Nila Madhab Panda
Nila Madhab Panda
Nila Madhab Panda is a film maker and director from Subarnapur district of Orissa. Nila Madhab Panda’s I Am Kalam has won many national and international awards.-Early life:...
. The plot revolves around Chhotu, a poor Rajasthani boy, who is inspired by the life of the former President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. and his strong desire to learn to read. The character of Chhotu has been performed by Harsh Mayar, a Delhi slum boy. The film premiered at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
on May 12. It has been showcased in various film festivals and has bagged various awards and honors.
The film was released in August 2011.
Plot
Chhotu is an intelligent boy who belongs to a poor family in RajasthanRajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
. Born into poverty, he is forced to find work at a roadside food stall under the somewhat kind owner, Bhati. Chhotu is quick to learn and impresses Bhati with his abilities. Near the food stall is a heritage hotel in the palace of an erstwhile royal family. Chhotu strikes up a friendship with the lonely Prince of the royal family, but the Prince is forbidden by his father from mixing with commoners .
One day Chhotu watches President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on television and it inspires him. Chhotu changes his name to Kalam and decides he wants to meet the president. He studies in his spare time and writes a speech for the Prince for a contest. The speech wins first prize at the contest, but soon after palace guards search Kalam's room and find the Prince's clothes. Kalam is labeled a thief and the rest of the story deals with how his actions lead to his destiny.
Even though Kalam is accused of being a thief, he does not reveal the source of his clothes in order to protect the Prince from his father. Kalam hitches a ride to New Delhi where he tries to meet the President. Meanwhile, the Prince tells his father that it was he who gave the clothes to Kalam and that Kalam wrote the speech which earned first prize. The nominal King realizes his mistake and sends the prince to find Kalam in New Delhi. Kalam is found near the India Gate and is brought back home. The King tells him that he can study in the same school as the Prince and employs kalam's mother as well.
Cast
- Harsh Mayar as Chhotu
- Hussan Saad as Prince Ranvijay.
- Gulshan GroverGulshan GroverGulshan Grover is an Indian actor, who has acted in over 400 films through a career spanning over 30 years.Gulshan Grover is one of the first Indian actors to have made a successful transition from Bollywood into Hollywood and international Cinema....
as Bhati the dhaba owner - Beatrice Ordeix (a French actor) as Lucy
- Pitobash as Laptan
- Meena Mir as Chhotu's motherkuijhio
- Suresh Acharya as Lakha's Assistant
- Biswajeet Bal as Sukha Singh
- Rajat Bhalla as Police Havaldar
- Garima Bharadwaj as Rani Sa
- Sanjay Chauhan as Raja Rudra Pratap Singh (as Sanjay Chouhan)
- S.D. Chouhan as Ranvijay's Servant
Release
I Am Kalam released in India screens on 5 August 2011. A special screening was held for Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam at his Delhi residence on 29 July and also to take his blessings.Critical reception
It is critically acclaimed movie. The film was rated 4.40 on 5 by audiences at the Transilvania International Film Festival recently. Generally, film is rated between 3.5 stars to 4 star. Critic Vianayak said "This film is an example of how a children's film can regale with solid storytelling, at the same time creating space for undercurrent comment." TOI wrote " It's inspirational, intelligent, topical and entertaining too. More importantly, it brims over with heart and soul, leaving no one untouched with its simple message of providing an equal opportunity". DNA appreciate movie - "At a little over 90 minutes, I Am Kalam is a gripping watch that leaves you feeling uplifted and positive. Try not to miss it.". Rediff.com stated that I am kalam is a winner. Taran Adarsh inspired movie by saying "On the whole, I AM KALAM is an inspiring and motivating film that deserves to be encouraged. Recommended!".Wins
- Golden Elephant in Best Screenplay in 17th International children Film Festival, India
- Int'l Film Festival of India(IFFI),Goa by Young Jury for Best Feature Film
- National Film Award for Best Child ArtistNational Film Award for Best Child ArtistThe National Film Award for Best Child Artist winners:-References:*...
2011 - Harsh Mayar. He won it along with two other children - Lucas Film Festival, Germany for Best Feature Film
- Barbican Children's Film Festival, London for Audience Favorite
- Cinekid Int'l Film Festival, Amsterdam for Special Mention
- Int'l Jury at Ale Kino Int'l Film Festival, Poland for Special Mention
- Don Quixote Prize of the International Ciné-Club Federation (ICCF) at the Lucas Film Festival
- Special Diploma at Minsk Int'l Film Festival, Listapadzik
- Aravindan Award for Best Debutante Director
Nominations
- Cinekid Film Festival, Amsterdam for Cinekid Lion Award
- Cinekid Film Festival, Amsterdam for Cinekid Audience Award
- Buster Film Festival, Denmark for Politiken Audience Award
- Mumbai Int'l Film Festival (MAMI) for Indian Frame Showcase
- Cinekid Film Festival, Amsterda, for Cinekid Lion Award