I am Kalam (2010) – 8/10 – Big ideas in a small power pack
TL;DR
I AM KALAM is a low-budget drama from Bollywood 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 well within 90 minutes, 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?
Bollywood seldom releases a movie that has a respectable message. 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.
*Obtained trivia facts from IMDB’s trivia page and plot/basic history/names information from Wiki
