“It is essential that we enlighten and create widespread awareness of education among all sections of society particularly in rural areas and among the urban poor”, a quotation of former President of India, A P J Abdul Kalam, that sparked the idea of “I am Kalam”, 87-minute Hindi feature film.
An inspiring production of the Smile Foundation and Eleeanora Images Private Limited, “I am Kalam”, with a budget of 2.1crore will have its world premiere at the Marche du Film at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival starting on May 12.
Producer and Director, Nila Madhab Panda, who made over 60 short films, documentaries, television drama and films for national broadcasters, the BBC, Discovery Channel and NGC, now makes his ‘feature film debut’. He has indulged in a very interesting star cast making the film a perfect performer’s piece. It includes the brilliant and heart-touching acting of Delhi slum boy Harsh Mayar who is in the title role of a young Dhaba (road side food joint) boy (Chhotu), veteran Bollywood and international actor Gulshan Grover (as Bhati the Dhaba owner), child actor Hussan Saad of Delhi 6 fame (as Prince Ranvijay), French actress Beatrice Ordeix, FTII-trained Pitobash and Meena Mir. Bidhu Bhushan’s.
Coinciding along a time when the Child’s Right to Education Bill has passed this sensitive film, shot in Bikaner, is not only on the plight of the underprivileged millions deprived of education, but also about how the privileged class can play a role in their upliftment.
The film strikes a chord with an engaging, entertaining and fast-paced narrative like a contemporary fable. The film is about the world of Chhotu, who starts referring himself as Kalam. Chhotu’s life takes an unexpected turn as he befriends Prince Ranvijay, whose father, is an erstwhile “king” of a princely state where Chhotu goes to deliver tea. Both kids bond big time, and Chhotu starts getting his education informally. Does Chhotu achieve his dream finally; is what the film all about? Chhotu represents millions of other kids who could become many Kalams, but for the unfortunate circumstances they find themselves in.
“The film has a universal appeal and a sense of purpose. I believe that the more local you get, the more global your access will be. I have explored the people’s basic needs and problem of the marginalized, as they are purposeful and exciting along with cinema for children and family; a genre that is much neglected in world cinema and more specifically in Asia”, says Madhab.
“‘I am Kalam’ is a story of struggle that I have faced and observed since my own childhood. The film celebrates the survival of the human spirit against overwhelming odds”, concludes the Director who now works upon his next release “The Curse of the Rat Eaters”. Barbara Brocholli (producer, James bond) would be organizing a screening in UK with special dignitaries from UK industries.
An inspiring production of the Smile Foundation and Eleeanora Images Private Limited, “I am Kalam”, with a budget of 2.1crore will have its world premiere at the Marche du Film at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival starting on May 12.
Producer and Director, Nila Madhab Panda, who made over 60 short films, documentaries, television drama and films for national broadcasters, the BBC, Discovery Channel and NGC, now makes his ‘feature film debut’. He has indulged in a very interesting star cast making the film a perfect performer’s piece. It includes the brilliant and heart-touching acting of Delhi slum boy Harsh Mayar who is in the title role of a young Dhaba (road side food joint) boy (Chhotu), veteran Bollywood and international actor Gulshan Grover (as Bhati the Dhaba owner), child actor Hussan Saad of Delhi 6 fame (as Prince Ranvijay), French actress Beatrice Ordeix, FTII-trained Pitobash and Meena Mir. Bidhu Bhushan’s.
Coinciding along a time when the Child’s Right to Education Bill has passed this sensitive film, shot in Bikaner, is not only on the plight of the underprivileged millions deprived of education, but also about how the privileged class can play a role in their upliftment.
The film strikes a chord with an engaging, entertaining and fast-paced narrative like a contemporary fable. The film is about the world of Chhotu, who starts referring himself as Kalam. Chhotu’s life takes an unexpected turn as he befriends Prince Ranvijay, whose father, is an erstwhile “king” of a princely state where Chhotu goes to deliver tea. Both kids bond big time, and Chhotu starts getting his education informally. Does Chhotu achieve his dream finally; is what the film all about? Chhotu represents millions of other kids who could become many Kalams, but for the unfortunate circumstances they find themselves in.
“The film has a universal appeal and a sense of purpose. I believe that the more local you get, the more global your access will be. I have explored the people’s basic needs and problem of the marginalized, as they are purposeful and exciting along with cinema for children and family; a genre that is much neglected in world cinema and more specifically in Asia”, says Madhab.
“‘I am Kalam’ is a story of struggle that I have faced and observed since my own childhood. The film celebrates the survival of the human spirit against overwhelming odds”, concludes the Director who now works upon his next release “The Curse of the Rat Eaters”. Barbara Brocholli (producer, James bond) would be organizing a screening in UK with special dignitaries from UK industries.
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