I Am Kalam (Hindi, 2010)

The positive message that the film drives – of Chotu’s talent, hard work, aspiration and good intentions amidst tremendous hardships – and how it gets noticed by people around, who do their part to pull Chotu out of the hardships by helping out – small or big – in their own ways is reassuring and will definitely bring out a smile on your face.

All the characters are written well. Bhati – the generous owner of the Dhaba known for his special tea, Laptan played expertly by Pitobash Tripathy – another elder chap working in the Dhaba who is obsessed with movies and feels jealous of Chotu’s charm and talent, Prince Ranvijay – a young prince of a once famous lineage who becomes Chotu’s best friend, Lucie -a french tourist who travels in a bullet and plays guitar on whom Bhati has a secret crush. Given that the intent of the movie is to have a feel good feel, all the characters are good in someway or another. Only Laptan is shown with shades of grey. All these characters are played nicely too.

Harsh Mayar as Chotu – takes the movie along with his effortlessly easy looking performance. If not for such a lead actor the movie wouldn’t have worked out this well. A great performance by the child actor – and fitting accolades and awards for the performer. Equally matching but relatively less noted is the performance of Hussan Saad as Prince Ranvijay. As someone who years for friends, the way he cherishes his friendship with Chotu is emoted extremely well. His politeness and how he is unable to speak any other way because of his royal upbringing and his kiddish questioning to his father about making friends in other strata of society shows the sweet rebel in him.

Though the title of the film is I am Kalam it is only used in ways required and at no time does it become indulgent. The way the then President motivated youngsters of all ages has been acknowledged in a proper way.

All the other technical departments have done their part in complementing the total theme of the movie and none of them go overboard and stick out their head. One specific instance which stood out was the delightful fusion music sequence at the Dhaba reminding one of a similar sequence from the 1972 film, Deliverance where city men duel on guitar with a country boy playing banjo..