I am Kalam (Movie Review)

"I am Kalam" the title of the movie is quite elusive that I thought it to be a biopic of our former president Dr.A.P.J.Abdulkalam. later, only when I scrolled through the comments that I came to understand the essence of the movie. The comments were so lavish in praising the screenplay as well as it's noble theme that made me watch the movie. It was an hour and a half long. Every scene and every dialogue was deeply engrossing that it didn't bore me even a bit. 

"Chhotu, who cleans vessels at the dhaba;

Chhotu who gets smudged with oil while cleaning trucks and busses;

Chhotu who looks for food in the garbage bins; 

Chhotu who looks after Madame's baby; 

Chhotu who tolerates his employer's scorns and beatings;

Chhotu who wants to sit on his dad's shoulder and go a carnival; 

Chhotu who wants to hear his mother's lullaby; 

Chhotu who wants to be praised and lovingly corrected by his teacher; 

Chhotu who wants to have a name of his own and dreams of an identity of his own.

Will you give him that?"

-Chhotu

The movie begins with Chhotu, a young boy, born in Rajasthan. He is taken to a city by his mother where she requests Bhati, the owner of a roadside dhaba to employ her son so that she can pay her debt. Bhati, being sympathetic towards her, takes Chhotu in as an errand boy in his dhaba. His mother promises Bhati that her son is hardworking and shrewd who picks up things easily. Hence he will never regret employing her son. 

Chhotu proves his mother right through his acts of brilliance— heals the camel, learns to make tea, acquires foreign languages with ace. This heartens Bhati who feels proud of Chhotu. However Laptan, another errand boy of the dhaba who is elder to Chhotu feels jealous of his growth and even burns Chhotu's books which he deems to be his treasures.

As the story proceeds Chhotu wins the hearts of everyone with his ear to ear grin and friendly attitude. He even befriends Ranvijay, the son of a Rajput king who dwells in the nearby haveli. Ranvijay, being a prince is not allowed to talk to commoners and hence deprived of a friend of his age group. However, breaking all the narrow constraints, a beautiful friendship blossoms between him and Chhotu which gives his life the mirth which he has never felt before. 

They become closer and closer day by day, forgetting their communities and social statuses. They teach eachother, have fun and spend their days, bindaas "without being noticed by others" lest they both should face the consequences. 

Finally when the manager of the haveli finds out his secret visits, he suspects Chhotu to be a thief. When everyone including his mother suspects him of theft, he leaves for Delhi without informing anybody.

On the other hand Ranvijay, the prince recites the Hindi poem written by Chhotu for him in the recitation contest and wins the trophy. He returns home only to find out Chhotu's absence. The movie discloses how Ranvijay tells truth to his father and finds out Chhotu. 

Throughout the movie, Chhotu is portrayed as a boy with greater aspirations. He is never shown cribbing about his kismat. Unlike Ranvijay who can't be happy despite having everything, Chhotu is always gleeful and contented with his few books when they are burnt by Laptan, he loses his cool and fights with him. 

When Ranvijay asks for his aim, he answers "I want to wear a tie, be a big man and become famous." He also suggests Ranvijay to build a big school so that poor children like him can go to school wearing tie. This shows how deep his yearning for education is. 

The epiphany or the moment of realization comes when he listens to Dr.Kalam's speech on television —

"Destiny can be changed through action. Success depends on four things—1. Clear aim in life, 2. Good education, 3. Hardwork, 4. Perseverance. It's in our hand to decide whether we have faith in our destiny or in our actions"

He even changes his name into Kalam. Later he also says his desire is to visit Delhi at least once and to thank Kalam. 

Thus the movie is undoubtedly a satisfying watch. An hour's journey with a lively adorable boy. The movie gave me occasional smiles and tears which let me empathize the children like Chhotu who have dreams that can not be easily fulfilled.