#10 I'm Kalam

	Movie Review I’m Kalam
	Directed By Nila Madhab Panda
	Synopsis: The movie revolves around the life of a kid fondly called as “Chhotu” who hails from a very poor family. He lives with his widowed mother and younger sister .He is once taken to his maternal uncle “Bhatti mama” by his mother to assist him in his ‘dhaba’ (restaurant) and earn something for livelihood. According to his mother, he is a child prodigy. He is a keen learner and learns things quickly once he is exposed to new things. He possesses immense desire to learn.      He is once asked by Bhatti mama to prepare tea. Since he has not prepared it before, he makes fuss of it .Then his mama demonstrates the process of making tea. In no time, he replicates Bhatti mama’s way of preparing tea and shocks him. His talent of grasping of things instantly, sincerity and dutifulness come to limelight which adds to the extent of his popularity in Dhaba. He also interacts with some of the exotic customers mostly foreigners, enjoying every sip of mama’s famous tea-reflecting the minuscule of Rajasthan taste and flavour. It is not just the enchanting aroma of tea floating in the air but also the location of the dhaba that captivates the by passers to take a halt at this landmark...In this way, Chhotu becomes successful enough to win every one’s heart except Laptan-his rival at the dhaba whose popularity is at stake after the arrival of Chhotu.   Now the plot brings before our eyes a view of splendid residence housing some of the precious and antique monuments and artefacts. Few portion of the residence has been designed as the resort for foreigners and some other part left for museum. Bhatti also runs a business of delivering snacks and tea to foreigners residing there.  After the joining of Chhotu in Bhatti’s business, Bhatti has handed over this task to Chhotu who is smart enough to handle it like all other tasks assigned to him. He, every morning, takes a ride of camel to reach the windows of the foreigners in resort and delivers them the cup of most-sought-after tea. So, this becomes a part of daily routine and at the end of the day, he opens up the book and starts to study on his own.          The owner of the residence, the Rajput of Rajasthan, has two daughters and a son named Ranvijay who is of the age of Chhotu. Amidst all the luxuries of life, Ranvijay misses friendship and longs for it. He sometimes watches Chhotu performing his routine activities of supplying the cups of tea to foreigner and desires to befriend him. He becomes successful in befriending Chhotu. Chhotu stealthily enters prince’s room and starts playing with him. Day by day their friendship strengthens and they start to devote time for each other. Chhotu always comes to the bus stop to meet Ranvijay when he returns from the school.       A very beautiful French lady named Lucy comes into picture who has married to an Indian. She loves Rajasthan and is fascinated by its scenic and dwells at grandeur for which she frequently visits Rajasthan and dwell’s at Rajput’s residence.  Since she is a frequent visitor of Bhatti’s dhaba, Bhatti has developed attraction for this lady thinking her to be unmarried.  Chhotu’s life turns a new leaf when he watches Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam in TV delivering speech dedicated to children. He is quite impressed by the words of Kalam who holds Karma-actions responsible factors behind every mission. Chhotu is so much moved by the words of Kalam that he starts to imitate him and introduces him as Kalam to the foreigners. He dreams of going to school by wearing a tie, which he regards as a symbol of dignity, like other children of his age group.  The French lady gets fascinated with the zeal of Kalam (formerly as Chhotu) and starts to teach him. With the passage of time, she becomes a very close companion of Kalam. She promises Kalam to take him to Delhi and put him into a school.  Good things sometimes do not happen smoothly. So, one day Lucy leaves out for Delhi without informing anyone.  This results in shattering of the hopes and aspiration of both the characters- Bhatti (who later comes to know about the marital status of Lucy) and his nephew Kalam.   One day while searching for his study materials, Kalam finds that his books have been burnt by his rival named as Laptan. The suspicious manager, working in the residence of Rajput, once catches Kalam red-handedly entering the room of Ranvijay stealthily. He is then presented before the Rajput as a thief. He defends himself very much as his only purpose is to only play with Ranvijay. The movie ends with a positive note as Ranvijay reveals Kalam’s work. Ranvijay brings it to the notice of everyone present there that it was because of Kalam’s poetry he could bag 2nd prize in poetry recitation competition held in his school. He also cherishes many moments spend with Kalam. He used to play with him and Kalam has always proved to be the best companion he will ever possess. The above statements and arguments provided by Ranvijay clear all the misconceptions presents in Rajput’s mind and he resolves to provide monetary assistant to Kalam so that he can continue his studies. This fulfils Kalam’s dream.   The movie sends home a note that dreams are primary steps to attain a goal as because without them the life becomes directionless. Thoughts also supplement dreams because our thoughts make us achieve what the world thinks we can’t. In the end, if our dreams and aspirations are high, we will always be able to chase them no matter what the prevalent conditions and situations are. In the words of Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam, “Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.”
	---By Swati Sarangi