Dreaming Big

Kalam’s film deals with the story of an underprivileged boy,referred to as Chotu in the dhaba where he works. He feels shackled by his situation and wants to rise above his poverty. He makes vain attempts to run away with tourists,who frequent the dhaba. But despite his economic condition he has not given up on his dreams and wants to be recognised as an individual. In the process,former President Kalam becomes his role model. “I could not support a plot simply based on the curiosity of a kid. The reference to Kalam was able to bridge that divide in the narration,” adds Panda,who was in search of a contemporary leader whose camaraderie with kids was well-documented. “It is amazing how the man (Kalam) can instill hope in a person,whatever be his socio-economic condition,” remarks Panda,who has been actively making socially relevant films like the popular Hope Again since 1997 for Doordarshan (DD) and BBC. “I always attempt to focus on hope in apathetic situations,” he admits.

Incidentally,I am Kalam has been screened at Lucas Film Festival,Frankfurt,bagging the Best Feature Film trophy and the Don Quixote Prize of the International Cine Club Federations,a few months ago. Next,the film will be screened at the National School Film Week in London on October 14,and the ‘In Competition’ section of London Film Festival,a day later.

The protagonist in the film has been played by Delhi boy Harsh Mayar,a 12-year old from a low income family in Ambedkar Nagar,with dreams,if not simliar,but comparable to his character. “I have had to struggle to get a good education. Despite repeated attempts I was unable to pay the fees to afford a Central school,” sighs Mayar,who met Kalam at his residence during shoots. “He was nice,sweet and encouraged me to dream,” he adds. The film was shot in Bikaner from July-August last year,with Mayar learning to get the the Rajasthani dialect and other nitty-gritties like playing the khartal (instrument) and learning to ride a camel,right. “I have a few dhabas near my home where I observed children my age at work. Their behaviour helped me to prepare,” he explains.