Gattu

Gattu (Mohammad Samad) is a nine year old boy under the care of his uncle, Anees Bhai, who runs a junkyard in the small North Indian town of Roorkee, Uttarakhand. Gattu is unlettered and wants to join school, but his wish is turned down by his uncle who feels he would lose a helping hand in running the junkyard. Yet, Gattu remains a bubbly and curious kid who thinks on his feet and has a naughty streak. His passion is flying kites and he dreams of bringing down Kali, a mysterious black kite which rules the Roorke skies and has cut down all her rivals. Gattu figures that to defeat Kali, he would require a vantage point which could only be provided by the terrace of the local school. Thus, he steps into the school with a uniform which he flicks from a clothesline and tries to blend in among a group of students on an exchange program from another school. The rest of the movie shows how he manages to sustain his student act by convincing teachers as well as his classmates and his pursuit of defeating Kali.



This is a rare movie which puts the spotlight on the world of the scores of under-privileged children who dot the rural and urban scapes of modern India and their loss of childhoods in pursuit of quelling hunger and self-sustenance. But, what is remarkable about the movie is the treatment by director Rajan Khosa who deftly helms this film and brings to the fore the problems of poverty, illiteracy and lost childhoods without ever preaching or resorting to any needless melodrama.

Mohammad Samad is endearing as Gattu with a brilliant screen presence and wide eyed wonder which could convey a multitude of expressions effortlessly. While the rest of the cast including Gattu's schoolmates are well chosen, Naresh Kumar playing Gattu's uncle Anees Bhai is particularly impressive.



Gattu proves that if one's spirit is resilient, there could be beautiful blossoms even in the heat and grime of a junkyard. Like his titular protagonist, Khosa, despite being confronted by several challenges makes the most of his limited means by wearing a sunny attitude, quick wit and clear focus on realising his dream. Khosa is particularly successful in capturing the playfulness, curiosity, and innocent bonds of childhood naturally.

Gattu is an ode to the dreams that we all carry in our hearts and as the kites in the movie, this charming movie is sure to soar in the skyline of the viewer's heart. Do watch it. I am sure you would be smiling all through and may well reconnect with the long forgotten child in you.

I didn't've known of such movie if the cable networks were out of business, so first of all, thanks to my cable network as if you were not there, I was hardly even get to know about such a film exists, even IMDb didn't list the title in general search. The lighthearted attempt for a grieve and serious issue of child labour and education like "I am Kalam" the movie I am Kalam was famous because it has used India's most loved president's name, and successfully achieved the hike and media attention, this one, not that lucky.

The story is simple, heartwarming, and a happy ending, a perfect remedy for a children movie. The actors, specially "Gattu", a kid that loves flying kites definitely marks an impression on you. there are moments in the movie when I sincerely wanted to pat his back for the optimisation he had made to the character. The support cast was also good...

All in all, it proved a surprise low budget entertainer for me, if only capitalism and industrialisation in the industry would have decreased or else some big names have supported it, It would've only increased the value for quality cinema here in India. But then, I guess the story speaks for itself as well.....

It is unfair to compare Gattu to other movies such as Stanley Ka Dibba, I am Kalam or Chillar Party since Gattu clearly stands out from the rest in terms of its story and direction. It is a gem and a must watch for all movie aficionados. While Gattu touches upon issues such as poverty and child labor, it never tries to extract any sympathy out of the audience for the characters. In fact there are several brilliantly executed funny moments in the film which draws you to the world of the characters instead of forcing you to sympathize with them from a high ground. The characters and the milieu are very real and give you a 'been there, seen it' sort of feeling. Watch this film for its endearing lead character, his childish ambition, the moral dilemma he faces in accomplishing it and the brilliant resolution in the end.

When you have a dream , the only thing you would require to achieve it is through desire and passion. Gattu tells the story of a street kid who achieves the impossible.

A street kid, Gattu , takes up the challenge of defeating a local champ Kaali in the kite-flying competition. To compete from a high level,he infiltrates a school terrace by impersonating as the student and also makes new friends.

Directed by Rajan Khosla , Gattu is a welcome change as it brings back the childhood memories of kite-flying , being mischievous in school , playing pranks on your teacher. The film duration is 75 mins and every frame is amazing to watch. The kite-flying scene is eye-catching ( on the same par with Kite Runner). Cinematography is good. Dialogues are nice. Editing is crispy. Screenplay is gripping. Hats off to Rajan Khosla for choosing a different subject based in North India. Mohd Samad was perfect for the role of street-smart , mischievous, good-at-heart Gattu. He emotes so well through his eye and is amazing to watch him act.

An honest attempt, made on a shoe-string budget, with beautiful picturisation. Very Good 4/5

The story of an orphan named Gattu is so real and exclusive that when you progress in the movie, your love for him increases from 0 to 100. Such an adorable character it is.

Director Rajan Khosa has once again proved what he's worth previously with his Dance Of the Wind, Gattu is a total magnificence. The music is catchy and perfect for the soft tone of the movie. Life as ridiculous as it is shown in this movie might make you think, ponder and introspect that to how extent a kid can go to accomplish his dream. This movie talks about chasing your dream beating all the odds. Gattu is breakthrough.

With an awe-inspiring twist at the end, Gattu is enjoyable and worth every penny.

Screenplay, writing, photography all are true to the eye and dashing. Gattu is the biggest movie of 2012 in all aspects.

WATCH OUT FOR: the lead character's vivid expressions.

Language: No | Sex: No | Violence: No