{{COI|date=September 2015}} {{EngvarB|date=May 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox film | image = i-am-kalam-2.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Nila Madhab Panda | producer = Santanu Mishra<br />Jitendra Mishra<br />(Associate) | story = Sanjay Chauhan | screenplay = Sanjay Chauhan | starring = Harsh Mayar<br />Gulshan Grover<br />Hussan Saad<br />Dharmveer Jakhar<br />Pitobash Tripathy<br />Beatrice Ordeix | music = '''Songs:'''<br />Abhishek Ray<br />Madhuparna<br />Papon<br />Susmit Bose<br />Shivji Dholi<br />'''Background Score:'''<br />Deepak Pandit | cinematography = Mohana Krishna | editing = Prashant Nayak | studio = Smile Foundation | distributor = Ultra Films | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2010|5|12|Cannes|2011|8|5|Indian}} | runtime = 87 minutes | country = India | language = Hindi | budget = {{INRConvert|30|m|year=2011}} | gross = {{INRConvert|60|m|year=2011}} }} '''''I Am Kalam''''' is a 2011 Indian Hindi-language drama film produced by the non-governmental charity Smile Foundation and directed by Nila Madhab Panda with cinematography by Mohana Krishna. The character of Chhotu has been performed by Harsh Mayar.<ref name="timesofindia aug 2011">{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-04/news-interviews/29849681_1_film-nila-madhab-panda-harsh-mayar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523204749/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-04/news-interviews/29849681_1_film-nila-madhab-panda-harsh-mayar |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 May 2013 |title=I Am Kalam: Movie Review |work=The Times of India |date=4 August 2011 |access-date=20 February 2012}}</ref> The film was screened in the market section at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival on 12 May 2010. It has been showcased in various film festivals and has received many awards and honours.<ref name="ibnlive23April">{{cite news | publisher=CNN-IBN| title=I Am Kalam|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/i-am-kalam-set-for-june-release-director/149973-8-66.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428142250/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/i-am-kalam-set-for-june-release-director/149973-8-66.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 April 2011 |date=23 April 2011|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="telegraph1100920">{{cite news |title=Kalam continues to inspire, now on reel – Oriya director's take on former President's struggle for education wins global award |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100920/jsp/orissa/story_12956197.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103112335/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100920/jsp/orissa/story_12956197.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 November 2012 |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=20 September 2010 |access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="dnaIndia">{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_i-am-kalam-selected-for-london-film-festival_1438263 |title=I Am Kalam selected for London Film Festival |work=DNA India |date=15 September 2011 |access-date=20 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118035384?refCatId=4140&query=I+Am+Kalam |title=Bollywood hits Hollywood |access-date=20 February 2012 | work=Variety |first=Ilyse |last=Kaplan |date=13 April 2011}}</ref> The film was screened retrospectively on 17 August 2016 at the ''Independence Day Film Festival'' jointly presented by the Indian Directorate of Film Festivals and Ministry of Defense, commemorating 70th Indian Independence Day.
== Cast == * Harsh Mayar as Chotu (later Kalam) * Hussan Saad as Prince Ranvijay Singh * Gulshan Grover as Bhati, Dhaba Owner * Dharmveer Jakhar as Social Activist * Beatrice Ordeix (French actress) as Lucy * Pitobash Tripathy as Laptan * Meena Mir as Chotu's/Kalam's mother * Suresh Acharya as Lakha's assistant * Biswajeet Bal as Sukha Singh * Rajat Bhalla as Police Havaldar * Garima Bharadwaj as Rani Sa * Sanjay Chauhan as Raja Rudra Pratap Singh * S.D. Chouhan as Ranvijay's worker
== Plot == This is the story of a boy, Chotu, from a poor family who works as a child labourer at a highway-side dhaba. Irrespective of the problems in his life, he is a happy child with a simple dream to become someone like President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
The plot has the protagonist Chotu being sent to a dhaba to work and earn for the family. Here, he befriends the royal heir, Ranvijay, of a neighbouring resort's owner, who's his age. Ranvijay's character showcases that money, royal blood, and luxury are a privilege but do not contribute to the happiness and joy childhood demands. A beautiful character of modern thoughts has been portrayed through Ranvijay, who doesn't believe in the caste system and protests against restricted education for the underprivileged. Moreover, the friendship between Chotu and Ranvijay glorifies the importance of having a true friend in life. Every day, Chotu dreams of wearing a tie and uniform to go to school, just like Ranvijay, as he has an unusual thirst for education and knowledge. Chotu then chances upon the Republic Day Parade and President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's salutation march. Curious, he finds out about the President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and instantly decides to become like him. From here, Chotu changes his name to Kalam.
As the story progresses, Kalam meets a foreign woman named Lucy who tries to convince his mother to let him study as he is a bright kid, but since the family's circumstances aren't in favour, he is denied an education. As a consequence, Kalam decides to run away to New Delhi to meet the President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and give him a letter. In this, he writes about how he wants to become like the President of India and thanks Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam for making him realise his dreams. Meanwhile, everyone from his family comes running after Kalam to find him in the new city. They finally track him down, and a relieved Ranvijay and jealous Kalam hug each other with joy.
In the end, Ranvijay's father offers Kalam's mother work at his resort, and he agrees to pay for Kalam's education and send Kalam to the same school where Ranvijay is studying. That is when Kalam says he wants to pay for his education on his own, and the movie ends with both Kalam and Ranvijay boarding the school bus in their school uniforms.
== Location == The film was shot in Bikaner, Rajasthan of India.
== Release == ''I Am Kalam'' released in India screens on 5 August 2011. A special screening was held for Former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at his residence at New Delhi on 29 July 2011.<ref>{{citation|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-30/news-interviews/29832900_1_film-nila-madhab-panda-harsh-mayar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911064820/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-30/news-interviews/29832900_1_film-nila-madhab-panda-harsh-mayar|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 September 2011|title=Abdul Kalam gets nostalgic on watching I Am Kalam|work=The Times of India|date=30 July 2011|access-date=4 August 2011}}</ref> The film was acquired and distributed by Ultra Media & Entertainment.<ref name="release">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/entertainment/ultra-acquires-80-children-films-titles-from-csfi/articleshow/50310813.cms|title=Ultra acquires 80 children films' titles from CSFI|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref>
== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
Rajeev Masand of News18 praised the acting performances of all actors especially Harsh Mayar who played the character of Kalam. Masand also complimented the script which he felt was very well written because it integrated a very important message about education in its screenplay without being melodramatic. Masand gave the film a rating of 3.5 out of 5.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rajeevmasand.com/reviews/our-films/sss/ |title=A better life |publisher=Rajeev Masand |access-date=8 July 2018 |archive-date=13 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913103403/http://www.rajeevmasand.com/reviews/our-films/sss/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Mayank Shekhar of Hindustan Times found the film to be "sweet and engaging" and gave it a rating of 3 out of 5 appreciating its realistic nature.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/mayank-shekhar-s-review-i-am-kalam/story-YtglzqHkA378xii4WsSX7H.html |title=Mayank Shekhar's review: I Am Kalam |work=Hindustan Times |date=5 August 2011 |access-date=8 July 2018 |archive-date=8 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708133608/https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/mayank-shekhar-s-review-i-am-kalam/story-YtglzqHkA378xii4WsSX7H.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave the film a rating of 3.5 out of 5 while praising its good intentions and the performances of all actors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/i-am-kalam/827725/2 |title=I am Kalam – Movie Review by Shubhra Gupta |work=The Indian Express}}</ref> Namrata Joshi of Outlook praised the positive nature of the film but found the pacing to be slow. Namrata gave the film a rating of 2 out of 5 saying that "It’s a straight, simple story with no great highs and lows".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/i-am-kalam/277923 |title=I Am Kalam – Movie Review by Namrata Joshi |work=Outlook}}</ref> Amy L. Hayden of Time Out found the film "heartwarming and inspirational" but felt that American kids might not be able to relate to it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/chicago/kids/activities/i-am-kalam-film-review |title=I Am Kalam – Film review |work=Time Out}}</ref> The film was rated 4.60 on 5 by audiences at the Transilvania International Film Festival.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2330690.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | first=Sudhish | last=Kamath | title=I am Kalam – To Kalam, with love | date=6 August 2011}}</ref> The Times of India gave it 4.5 stars out of 5, commented " It's inspirational, intelligent, topical and entertaining too. More importantly, it brims over with heart and soul, leaving no one untouched with its simple message of providing an equal opportunity".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/I-Am-Kalam/movie-review/9481298.cms |title=I Am Kalam |work=The Times of India |date=4 August 2011 |access-date=20 February 2012}}</ref> DNA also gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, saying "At a little over 90 minutes, ''I Am Kalam'' is a gripping watch that leaves you feeling uplifted and positive".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review_review-try-not-to-miss-the-beautiful-i-am-kalam_1572873 |title=Review: Try not to miss the beautiful I Am Kalam |work=DNA India |date=5 August 2011 |access-date=20 February 2012}}</ref>
== Awards and nominations == * International Film Festival of India, Goa by Young Jury for Best Feature Film<ref name="award">[http://www.iamkalam.com/html/Best-Film-Awards-And-Nominations-Received.html "awards"]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * National Film Award for Best Child Artist 2011 – Harsh Mayar. He won it along with two other children<ref>{{cite news|last=Kapoor|first=Nikita|title=Chillar Party reject Harsh Mayar wins National Award for I Am Kalam!|url=http://www.filmitadka.in/201106241091/news/chillar-party-reject-harsh-mayar-wins-national-award-for-i-am-kalam.html|access-date=24 June 2011|newspaper=FilmiTadka|date=24 June 2011}}</ref> * Lucas Film Festival, Germany for Best Feature Film<ref name="bollywoodtrade">{{cite web|title=I Am Kalam wins two international awards|url=http://www.bollywoodtrade.com/trade-news/i-am-kalam-wins-two-international-awards/index.htm|publisher=Bollywood Trade|date=14 September 2010|access-date=19 November 2012|archive-date=21 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321023946/http://www.bollywoodtrade.com/trade-news/i-am-kalam-wins-two-international-awards/index.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> * International Jury at Ale Kino International Film Festival, Poland for Special Mention<ref name="award" /> * Don Quixote Prize of the International Ciné-Club Federation (ICCF) at the Lucas Film Festival<ref name="bollywoodtrade" /> * Special Diploma for the Best Actor Work at Minsk International Film Festival "Listapad", 2011<ref name="award" /> * Aravindan Award for Best Debutante Director<ref>{{citation |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/top-stories/2011/aravindan-puraskaram-nila-pande-230211-aid0062.html |title=Aravindan Puraskaram for Nila Madhab Panda |work=OneIndia |date=23 February 2011 |access-date=20 February 2012 |archive-date=9 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709104632/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/top-stories/2011/aravindan-puraskaram-nila-pande-230211-aid0062.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> * 57th Filmfare Awards for Best Story to Sanjay Chauhan<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Zindagi-Na-Milegi-Dobara-sweeps-Filmfare-Awards/articleshow/11676105.cms |title=Filmfare Awards 2011 Winners |work=The Times of India |date=31 January 2012 |access-date=20 February 2012}}</ref> * Best Child Actor award at Silent River Film Festival, California, 2011<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jha |first1=Subhash K. |title=I Am Kalam wins 3 awards at The Silent River Film Festival |url=https://businessofcinema.com/bollywood-news/i-am-kalam-wins-3-awards-at-the-silent-river-film-festival/34068 |website=Businessofcinema(.)com |access-date=18 May 2021 |date=21 September 2011}}</ref> * Special Mention to Harsh Mayar at the 17th International Children's Film Festival of India, 2011
=== Nominations === * Mumbai International Film Festival for Indian Frame Showcase<ref name="award" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|1805263|I Am Kalam}}
Category:2010 Hindi-language films Category:2010 Indian films Category:2010 films Category:Indian children's films Category:Films set in Rajasthan Category:A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Category:Films scored by Abhishek Ray Category:Films scored by Papon (singer) Category:Films scored by Sushmit Bose Category:2010 directorial debut films Category:Films featuring a Best Child Artist National Award–winning performance