I Am Kalam - Movie review

Director: Nila Madhab Panda Producer: Smile Foundation Cast: Harsh Mayar, Husaan Saad, Gulshan Grover, Pitobash, Beatrice Ordeix

I Am Kalam - Movie review

I Am Kalam
Director: Nila Madhab Panda
Producer: Smile Foundation
Cast: Harsh Mayar, Husaan Saad, Gulshan Grover, Pitobash, Beatrice Ordeix
Rating: ****

Chhotu (Harsh Mayar) comes from a really poor family and works at his uncle Bhati's (Gulshan Grover) dhaba. At the outset, the story appears simple enough. But as it unfolds, deeper layers unfurl in the most magical way. Chhotu befriends Kuwar Ranvijay Singh (Hussan Saad). The rich prince suffers from loneliness until he meets Chhotu (flashing his trademark confident toothy grin) teaches him a few lessons, some obvious and some more subtle. While Chhotu's bullying and insecure colleague at the dhaba, Laptan (Pitobash) is a die-hard fan of Amitabh Bachchan, Chhotu has bigger aspirations. The kid is so inspired by former Indian President APJ Kalam that he confidently rechristens himself Kalam, thus explaining the title of the movie.

Nila Madhab Panda makes a confident directorial debut, with his head and heart in the right place. Among other things, I am most impressed by the way Panda cleverly passes on a social message that a child's brilliance shines through even the dreariest of circumstances. And in direct contrast, a child can't be made happy by bestowing him with costly toys and other comforts.

This film is the right combination of sparkling intelligence and well-placed emotions. For millions of child labourers across the country, there couldn't have been better representation of them than Chhotu, with his genius and undying optimism. The best thing about this movie is that it is happy, despite the grim reality of life it portrays. The positivity somehow manages to touch a chord.

While Harsh Mayar steals your heart right away (the National Award was so well deserved), it's the other child Hussan Saad who also impresses with his clear diction and natural performance. Gulshan Grover as a kind man, who has a secret crush on a French woman Lucy (Beatrice Ordeix), is very good as usual.u00a0 Pitobash does a very good job too.

I Am Kalam stands for what Chhotu firmly believes in. You make your own destiny, which he picked up from a speech by APJ Kalam.u00a0 At a time, when children seem bereft of the right idol to emulate, I Am Kalam shows the way.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels