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Well the movie has something in it. It may start without a hope and continues as a normal routine but the way the child strives to fight his destiny with hope and hard work will never be calculated. People who recognize the talent and can do much to help this kid reminds us a current society we are living in. The child being truthful ready to take responsibility for his actions not neglecting his passion and hard work to get a hold on education reminded me of how unlucky most kids are in the third world countries this is not a lesson to kids but a realization for all the elders that he can be a successful person not materialistic wealth wise but he will achieve what he loves.

A small note : the letter which was addressed to Kalam in the climax was simple but full of words that can get through anyone.

As I am talking about the film "I am Kalam", it simply reminds me of the lines which former president of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam wrote in his memorable book "Wings of fire":

"I am a well in this great land

Looking at its millions of boys and girls

To draw from me

The inexhaustible divinity

And spread His grace everywhere

As does the water drawn from the well."

And I think the director Nila Madhab Panda was superbly taken this valiant poetry forward by transpiring this into a inspirational plot. Offcourse he created a fable, a fairytale along the line of Prince and Pauper but the thread that keep this tale magical was this poetry. Before I give any actual review I must tell that this is really a great film not only for its message but also because it chooses a leader (who has proved ability to inspire) from new bright colorful India, beyond B&W eras of Gandhi and Nehru (though apart from Dr. Kalam, we really have long 64 years of drought of the leaders who we can count on). Every generation needs a leader to inspire its young people to put aside their sorrows and guilt and ascend towards where the sky is. This time its our beloved Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

"I am Kalam" is a story of a two child one who is from 'havenot' class and other from 'have' class. Former is alive with his all innocence and aspires to become what he can not in normal circumstances. He has examples of Dr. Kalam and Lal Bahadur Shashtri to follow. Other is a Prince-with all the palace to wander, but is lonely. His heart too is innocent. So when they meet they simply bond with each other. They simply complement each other. And at the end they both write their own destiny. So how it is inspiring? It is where the spin of fairytale was yarned that shows the determination and perseverance of one side to acceptance and true friendship of other side.

The film is brilliant and optimistic. No doubt about it. But is this fun to watch? The answer is yes. The writer and director both has put a great effort to never slip in regression of darkness which is cliché in Indian Cinema esp for plot like this. So between those pivotal characters they splattered color, harmony and light so precisely that this film comes as worth watchable.

And this movie sends a clear message to all the people that as Panda said in an earlier interview:

"The idea of the film is to give a message that every child should go to school which is relevant to the right to education and that effort is more powerful than fate. It also urges the privileged masses to join the effort to educate the children and help them to dream and turn their dreams into breathing reality,"

and as writer Sanjay Chauhan said: "Every child has the right to live his childhood, childhood way."

As for the acting everyone does his/her job according to their role.

So for this Indo-French collaboration I will give 9/10.

After seeing the movie it simply reminds us of awe-inspiring book "Ignited Minds".

It also reminds me of the famous quote "Fortune favor's the brave" and think that "brave and witty" should be added in it, as the movie clearly depicts that the imagination of a child cannot be kept under wraps by the mere present circumstances he is facing!!!

The direction of the movie and cast is brilliant, their is a real-life touch to the little love-story added. I think that the movie should be screened all over India and not only in tier-1,2,3 cities, as it is the rural population which could be maximum beneficiary. The foundations like "SMILE"," Against Child Labour " should be supported. The government should take initiative and support the film by promoting it in one of their child welfare programs.

The movie is simply awesome.

I just attended the screening of the movie and I must confess that I was overwhelmed with emotions.

Debutant director, Nila Madhab Panda has woven a beautiful story with some heart touching moments which will bring a tear to your eyes. There are superb performances by veteran Indian actor Gulshan Grover, both the child protagonist (the child playing Kalam even won a National award for the role) along with Pitobash,and French theatre actress Beatric Ordeix as Lucy.

The story is about friendship, love, truthfulness self belief and dreams.

Shot in the beautiful and colorful Rajasthan, the movie realistically portrays the relationship between various communities and touches upon topics like child labor, caste, class and the value of education and friendship.

When the director introduced the movie before the screening, he said that the movie was made with very little budget but with a lot of passion, I must say that the passion was evident in each shot. the topic is so sensitive that it could have gone easily into the clichés, thankfully the director remained true to his believes and the final product is one of the masterpieces which have taken the Indian Cinema into a very different and exciting platform.

I would suggest that this movie should not be missed by anyone, especially by children.

Go and watch the movie, you won't regret it.

India is considered as third world country and the reason is justified with over 70% population below the economic level. Whenever we move out in the open we tend to forcefully ignore the scenario. As passerby we observe little kid working in tea stalls to meet their day's meal. Rarely one bother to feel for him, his wish and needs. Even being ignored they tend to build their own world of dreams and live optimistically. This year two brilliant cinema dealt with those kids for whom the world hardly cares – "Stanley Ka dabba" and then this week release "I am Kalam". Both the films are very different in their execution but both sensitively dealt with the issue of Child labor, a poignant problem of his otherwise "prosperous" nation. It also reflects that the young generation is more responsible and sensible than the orthodox old ones and they have the power to build the nation through their liberal views.

The film directed by Nila Madhab Panda straightaway comes to the point without beating around the bushes. It introduces Chotu (one of the best child performances in recent times by national award winner Harsh Mayar) who comes with his single mother to the town to earn for living. While on the way the bright eyes of Chotu stares earnestly at the school bus and the uniformed kids.It seemed the whole audience in the theater desperately wanted to see his dream fulfilled. His mother left him in arms of his distant Bhatti Mamosa meaning uncle (a superlative performance by Gulshan Grover) who owns a tea-stall and serves tea to the nearby Haveli (King's palace) and the surrounding hotels where the foreign tourists are lodged. Chotu remains true to his claims picks it up instantly whatever he see, be it making world class tea or understanding the small nuances which are liked by the foreign tourists. Sooner he becomes the blue eyed boy for Mamosa and the foreign tourists.So much so that the filmy bug Laptan (worth mentioning performance by Pitobash) who is the other assistant in Bhatti's shop started becoming jealous of him. Amidst all this Chotu become friends with Kumar Sahab, the prince of the haveli. Chotu also aspires to become like President Kalam and thus starts the heartwarming journey of education and friendship. Even he calls himself Kalam and copied Dr Kalam's hairstyle.

Already the film has received national and international awards and acclaims before hitting the silver screen. Indeed the film rightly deserves the accolades it is receiving. Debutant director Nila Madhab Panda knows his craft and with co-writer Sanjay Chauhan they created magic on screen. The character of Chotu aka Kalam is written with utmost sensibilities. The way his intelligence is gradually depicted is noteworthy. It is not only a tale about education but also about friendship and changing mindset. The director first created an invisible mirror to showcase some stark contradiction in the society by the way he depicted the scenes of Chotu and Kumar Sahab. Chotu trying to read under the street lights while Kumar Sahab is at his luxurious best. The contradiction is depicted and it ends there only. The rest is a heart warming tale of two young bright boys who are mutually exchanging education in their own ways. While Chotu is teaching Kumar Sahab Hindi the same is happening other way round and thus build a strong bond of trust. The writers carefully tried to capture the changing mindset of young generation and the stagnating mindset of the older one as the king plays chess leisurely and talks about "time" flowing by. While on one hand the king believes in kismet (destiny) the Kumar (prince) rightly retaliates by pointing that "karma" (deed) is bigger and thereby showing the liberal new generation. The way Kumar goes against his father's orders by becoming friends with a low caste guy it shows the strength of his character. And similarly for Chotu who didn't befriend Kumar as he saves him in the pre-climax. Without telling the climax the directors successfully portrayed the need for changing mindset which will change the future generation. Harsh Mayar as Chotu or Kalam is a spontaneous performer and was given a deserving national award for his realistic performance. He is one of the best child actors in the business. His performance was so earnest that every audience in the theater stood for a standing ovation as the end credit roles. Gulshan Grover sheds his bad man image and molded himself with ease as he plays the kind hearted Bhatti. French actress Beatrice Ordeix did a splendid job as Lucy, the benevolent tourist who feels for Chotu. Pitobash (after his marvelous performance in Shor in the City) excels in the role of Laptan.The jealousy within him was reflected in each expression of his. Hussan Saad is also talented and quiet confidently plays the role of Kumar Ranvijay. The supporting castes with less known faces gave commendable performances. Technically speaking the landscape of Rajasthan is captured with picturesque perfection by Mohan Krishna whose debut in Ishqiya was also worth mentioning. Prashant Naik craftsmanship as editor needs mention for his flawless juxtaposition of frames. Music composer Abhishek Ray did his job well whose music had the local flavor in it. There is a sequence where different person starts playing different instruments with a mellifluous amalgamation of music of both east and west. On the whole I Am Kalam is a fine piece of art which has its heart and soul in the right place. SMILE foundation needs to be applauded for producing this film and taking the issue to an elevated level. With changing mindset of people one hopes more will contribute to child education thus witnessing a far more developed India in coming years. Hope movies like I am Kalam will change the mindset of those audiences who are watching it and they would eagerly take the cause forward. Cheers to whole team of I Am Kalam.

Tonight, I attended a screening of I AM KALAM, starring Gulshan Grover, along with a superb cast. It is a charming story that speaks to the truth that one's life is guided much more by one's actions than by a predetermined destiny...The main setting, at a roadside snack stand near Delhi is, at once, mundane and exotic, as the workers and foreign visitors interact on a daily basis. And, glimpses inside the private quarters of a royal family are nothing less than eye candy for viewers.

The meat of the story derives from the delightful performances of Mr. Grover and the charming young actor who plays Kalam with fearless truthfulness. Even Laxmi, the camel, draws us in with her gentle ways.

As of this writing, the film lacks a US distribution company...some smart executive should pick it up and get it to American audiences!

This is one of the best movies I have seen so far. So simple, yet so touching.

It inspired me to think of our people, of our great country and our incredible culture (as depicted in the Rajasthani styles). Need me to say that the Rajasthani setting was just apt and everything was sown in very creatively.

I hope this movie sets the trend for many more such movies. It is worth every penny and every second of yours.

It brings me to think of the state of millions of children out there who have so much of aspirations but not the means.

I wish the government officials (all of them) see this movie and get inspired by it.

Now here we have a film which helps to maintain faith in Bollywood. Clearly the strongest part of the film is its script. After completing it I was wondering whether it was meant for a short film and then converted in to a feature film. It employed a lot of elements in between which made me think so, but they were so nicely placed that I did not even for a moment think of their significance while viewing. The story seemed to flow very smoothly all the time.

However I did notice some plot holes but they don't matter much when we are given films like cocktail in present day bollywood. Apart from the screenplay what made the film great to watch was the acting of KALAM alias chhotu. His acting always looked real, mature and at par with other actors. The film explores sentiments in a new direction with a very soothing atmosphere all the time. The ending is incredible and couldn't have been better. Clearly the director wants to take Indian cinema to greater heights and it can be achieved by making strong screenplays or at least by films based on a subject matter other than Love and Romance. Looking forward for more films like this.

MESSAGE: "Believe in working rather than destiny."

VERDICT: "A must watch for all the Indian Viewers at least."

I am Kalam, follows the story of a boy - living in poverty, having to work at a dhaba to make ends meet and support his mother. But this is no ordinary boy. He is brilliant and ambitious. He cannot go to school due to his limited means, but that does not stop him from dreaming big and continuously working towards that dream. His passion further fuelled by a speech of then-Indian-president, Abdul Kalam. How the entire world around him comes together to get him there, is what the film is about. Shot in picturesque Rajasthan and with a strong support cast in Gulshan Grover, I am Kalam is a movie that inspires. Do watch.

This week's release, 'I am Kalam' has already bagged accolades at some international film festivals. It may not be far from the truth that Western audiences have an eye for movies portraying poverty in the less developed world. But, this film is different since its director Nila Madhab Panda keeps the story focused on the tale of a poor boy's will to change his destiny rather than to dunk the story into predictable emotional trappings.

Chhotu is a young Rajasthani village boy whose poor family needs him to earn a living by working at a roadside dhaba run by Bhati (Gulshan Grover). Amidst a life of dish-washing and sundry chores, Chhotu impresses Bhati with his learning skills and wins the hearts of the dhaba's multi-ethnic patrons with his language skills.

Across the street, he spots a boy sporting a crisp tie; it turns out to be the son of an erstwhile local ruler. Chhotu's aspirations start to take shape. He wants to study, wear a tie and be successful. One day, he hears a televised address by Dr Kalam and is inspired by his story of hard work and promptly renames himself after his role model.

The movie becomes worthwhile thanks to its child stars Harsh Mayar as Chhotu and Hussan Saad as Ranvijay. The portrayal of the boys disregarding the class barrier and becoming good friends feels realistic. Here, writing too deserves credit as one doesn't see over-smart kids with wisecracks, usually seen in movies starring kids.

The film also offers food for thought. There is a time in the movie when Bhati implores Chhotu not to fight with destiny, to which the boy retorts saying that he believes in his work over destiny! Although poor, the protagonist doesn't envy the rich kid's wealth; a contrast to this is portrayed in the talentless Laptan who envies Chhotu.

Among the supporting cast, Gulshan Grover is endearing as the dhaba owner who speaks broken English and Pitobash who impressed audiences as 'Mandook' in 'Shor in the City' gives the film its comic moments as he plays Laptan, the dhaba helper who thinks no less of himself than a Bollywood star. A French actress Beatrice Ordeix plays Lucie, a westerner who has made India her home and offers hope to Chhotu.

The film is not without shortcomings and they hit a low in an unrealistic scene where some of its characters are seen searching the megalopolis of Delhi for one missing scrawny kid. Also, the cinematography could have been much better.

'I am Kalam' seems like a story told in world cinema in many different versions. Still, it has has enough to keep viewers engaged and impresses with its simple storytelling.

TL;DR

I AM KALAM is a low-budget drama that aims to instill hope and inspire children to follow in the footsteps of former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam. Before serving as president from 2002 to 2007, Kalam was a rocket scientist who played a key role in India's nuclear program during the 70s. He was a respected teacher and mentor to millions, having risen from extreme poverty himself. This film is a plea to educate children in poverty-to give them an opportunity they may desire but rarely get. It's heartbreaking to realize how many kids in poor countries like India live on the streets, work long hours at tea stalls, and often go to sleep on the ground hungry. Too many people take their own lives for granted or choose to ignore the harsh realities others endure. This movie portrays an idealistic individual who aspires to be like Abdul Kalam and even adopts Kalam as his name, despite lacking the means. If people dream big and spread their dreams, anything is possible against overwhelming odds. The movie begins with Abdul Kalam's fitting quote: "Great dreams of great dreamers are always transcendent." My rating is 8/10.

Plot

Chhotu, the young son of an impoverished single mother, is dropped off at his Uncle Bhati's (Gulshan Grover) tea shop. His mother couldn't provide for him, and he needed work to keep him fed. School appeared unlikely because of his 'destiny' according to Uncle Bhati. He instead serves tea and snacks at a tea stall. He calls himself Kalam, befriends the local prince Ranvijay, and takes an interest in reading books. The juxtaposition of their lives highlights how their fates diverge not because of their actions or mindset, but because of their lineage. Regardless, it's a feel-good story of improving each other through their friendship.

Technicals

I AM KALAM is a beautiful little movie that emphasizes the optimistic aspect of dreams and inspirations. The child actor, Harsh Mayar, is outstanding in the lead role. Grover usually plays a villain in his movies, but he was excellent as a mentor. Traditional music pieces place you in the atmosphere, situation, and location. The low budget limited the locations and visuals, but I didn't sense a shortcut in direction or storytelling. They conveyed the story sufficiently in the 90 minutes while keeping you entertained and smiling with light humor. I don't think you can do much else. It's also not preachy or fatiguing to watch, which speaks to a decent script. I AM KALAM focuses on themes such as curiosity, dreams, wonder, imagination, and determination in the face of poverty.

Issues?

I was hoping for a biopic or something centered on APJ Abdul Kalam's childhood. Instead, Kalam serves as an inspiration for the main character. The movie loosely borrows from his curiosity, open-minded thinking, and impoverished circumstances without being about him. You can plug in any great Indian scientist or enlightened thinker, and the film's message wouldn't change much. While the leads stood out, a few supporting performances fell flat. My other gripe was later when the characters search for Kalam. The filmmakers likely ran low on funds and wrapped it up. Finally, the pacing often seemed slow. More content and sharper editing could have strengthened the movie.

Would I recommend this?

I AM KALAM aims to uplift, and it delivers. The film is not without its flaws, but the pros hid the cons. It's worthwhile if you enjoy inspirational films. I had a difficult time finding acceptable subtitles and ended up watching on YouTube. Bollywood seldom releases a movie that has a respectable message.

*Obtained trivia facts from IMDB's trivia page and plot/basic history/names information from Wiki.

I am Kalam will take you on a journey of a boy. yes the journey is worth the time.

Horrific storytelling. Horrific Acting. Just plain horrible. Bollywood has some great movies. This is one to skip.

Nila Madhab Panda's 'I Am Kalam' tells the inspiring tale of an impoverished boy, Kalam, forced by circumstances, to work at a local tea shop owned by Bhatti. Kalam looks at life with a pinch of salt and optimism. He's a fast learner and befriends the customers. His dream is to wear a school uniform and tie and go to school. This dream seems to come close to becoming true when he befriends a young prince but trouble soon follows Kalam.

'I Am Kalam' has both a fairy tale feel and a feel of realness. It is the director's splendid fusion of the two that makes this little film a magical experience. The direction, the score and Sanjay Chauhan's writing are quite simple yet sincere and the story is very easy to relate to. It also has a very lyrical feel to it. The score is mostly a combination of simple sound created with simple instruments (with the exception of the traditional Rajasthani song that takes place in the palace) but it's mesmerizing and among the best I've heard in recent times. The cinematography effectively captures the beauty of Rajathan and the art direction is pleasantly colourful and authentic.

The performances are outstanding. Gulshan Grover delivers one of his finest to date. The rest of the supporting performances by Pitobash, Beatrice Ordeix and especially Hussan Saad are excellent. However, where acting is concerned, the most outstanding performance comes from Harsh Mayar. Extracting a good performance from a child couldn't have been easy but Panda has done it and Mayar delivers one of the most natural performances on screen.

'I Am Kalam' is light and optimistic. It carries the simple message that every single child must be educated and deserves the right to live like a child. The film never preaches this but merely demonstrates it through the story. There is not a single melodramatic moment for it is evident that 'I Am Kalam' comes straight from the heart. Simple, Sincere, Uplifting, Inspiring and Spellbinding are at least five words to describe this precious little gem.

I watched the movie without any expectations and I was pleasantly surprised. What worked:

• beautiful screenplay and storytelling
• authentic location and mood of the movie
• story told through the eye of a kid usually works and it's one of them

What did not work:

• some melodramatic scenes could have been taken away, but still with the short run time of the movie, it's generously acceptable.

Final verdict: Highly recommended. Maybe it's one of the very few movies after Taare Zamin Par that stands to tell the story of time and society it belongs.

I had never heard of this movie before but I wish I had. It's just beautiful. Seeing it in 2020 made my year better

Kalam to Kuvar (his Royal friend) :- " tu bada ho jayega to humare jaise gareeb bachho keliye school bana " This struck me hard.. (I have do something for this..) The amount faith he have on Kalam sir's words is far beyond anything.. Kalam sir was religion for him.. I learned one thing from this movie.. if you want to be great in life just follow one greatest person in that field diehardly.. make him your religion..

What every child should try to become like... like the lead character of this mighty film, Chottu aka Kalam. His wonderful journey from a poor family's breadwinner to his dream. Set in Rajasthan, the language is both pure Hindi & Rajasthani!

Captured in 100 minutes, with absolute plot & characterization, I Am Kalam proves to be so aesthetically & emotionally receptive, that you can easily connect with the film. The Delhi-boy Harsh Mayar is genuine, good & has acted well. His royal friend Hassan Saad is good, too. Supporting cast including Gulshan Gover (who has revamped his style) & Pritobash is cool & effective.

Direction, music & editing is average. With a fabulous plot with smallest of the small details taken care of, I Am Kalam is a must-watch.

BOTTOM LINE: You will cry, think & empathize after watching this small piece of cinema marvel.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Language: No | Sex, Nudity: No | Violence: Mild | Gore: No | Alcohol, Smoking or Drugs: No

A short, simple and beautiful movie, which will leave you motivated and smiling. No unwanted drama, all the characters performed well.

This touching Bollywood film unfolds slow and subtle, almost too slow and a bit boring in the beginning. Classic story: poor boy with big dreams and a lonely rich boy become friends, but this time in India where they live by the caste system, so they keep their friendship a secret. The film is a glimpse into Indian culture through the comings and goings at a Dhaba (roadside tea and snack shop) near a hotel/mansion where locals and tourists stop on their way to Delhi. The hard-working and honest poor-boy "Kalam" has big dreams, an optimistic outlook and an infections smile. He befriends the lonely "prince" living in the "palace" in spite of everyone against it and is always focused on his goal of becoming an important man like President Kalam. The young lead is adorable but the others are average to poor actors. It a bit cheesy, but the film gets better as it goes along...nothing we haven't seen many times before. The film is subtitled.

Thank you so much for inspiring me..

It really touched my heat. I will try to sponsor for one student in near future, I will work to increase my financial status and help one needy child.

Thanks again for the wonderful film. 😊🙏🏻

No offence but This movie is worse than the new space Jam. Like oh my goodness. Worst movie ever.