I am Kalam review

Film: I Am Kalam
Director: Nila Madhab Panda
Cast: Harsh Mayar, GulshanGrover, Pitobash Tripathy
Rating: ***1/2

Answer these questions, one by one.

Who is your idol?

Did you love to go to school? College?

What games did you enjoy? How did you treat your pet?

How many times have you taken for granted your education and position?

How sensitive have you been to the needs of those less-privileged, seeking you help without asking for it?

Chances are you may write me off a Catholic convent-educated oldie brainwashed to put the world before yourself.

I Am Kalam is one of those films which asks you questions of your own upbringing, how many times we value it an dhow many times we take it for granted.

Eight-year old Chhotu (and endearing Harsh Mayar) is sent away by his mother to work at his uncle Mamasa’s (Gulshan Grover) dhaba in the desert of Rajasthan. The boy is bright, friendly and most importantly willing to learn so he can change the circumstances he’s thrown in. His idol is India’s former President APJ Abdul Kalam. So inspired Chhotu is by Kalam’s own inspiring story that he rechristens himself Kalam, a beginning of much bigger dreams coming true. He loves reading and depends on patrons of the dhaba to learn words of foreign languages. All this he does with ease, a big smile and eager eyes.

His choice of idol and ambition is in stark contrast with that of his uncle’s assistant at the dhaba. Laptan (Pitobash Tripathy) dreams Bollywood, adores Amitabh Bachchan and wants to be paired with the industry’s best heroines. An anti-hero in I Am Kalam, Laptan’s greatest enemy is Chhotu’s hunger for education, a better life and willingness to work towards realising these dreams.

Director Nila Madhab Panda has a heartfelt and simple story, which he peppers, very subtly with social messages that get the audience thinking. A strong comment on the differences in modern society, how one’s karma can upstage one’s kismet and how one man’s story can change the outlook of the many following in his/her footsteps.

Mohana Krishna’s cinematography captures the barren lands of Rajasthan perfectly, juxtaposing it with the fertile mind of Chhotu. Harsh Mayar is a gem, his eyes expressive, his acting skills natural. The background score minimal, while the running time is just about perfect.

Watch this one for a heartfelt account of what happens to those who dare to dream. No one can come between you and your dreams, not even fate, is what I Am Kalam conveys, subtly and beautifully. A must watch, touching and inspirational.