Produced by the Children’s Film Society of India, Gattu won a special mention at the Berlin International Film Festival in February this year. It’s the kind of charming film that’ll feature on critics’ year-end lists of movies you should have watched but probably didn’t. Do yourself a favor – don’t miss it.

Gattu’s ( Samad) sole spot of joy also comes from his deft handling of kites. Kite-flying helps him escape his life full of drudgery in a` kabaadkhaana’, surrounded by the discards of other people. He is an orphan who’s been taken under his `chacha’’s ( Kumar ) wings, so he’s not exactly on the streets, but he could very well be, given that he gets a bare bed and scant food and a lot of brusqueness in return for unending free labour.

The film does become a little far-fetched as Gattu, an illiterate, continues to fool his teachers and spins an unbelievable yarn for his classmates. But Khosa gives it a fable-like texture so that you don’t mind too much when reality takes a backseat.Gattu is small in scale, but this is a film with heart.

Gattu is a must watch for all but most especially cynics who believe ‘there is no hope for any of us’. It took Gattu just a little less than two hours to prove it.

Gattu scores high on the emotional quotient. It leaves you with a smile on your face.

On the whole, a film like GATTU speaks to both, the kids and adults. Films like these, which aren’t made to appease the box-office, but cater to a different audience, ought to be encouraged. For, there’s life beyond zany entertainers as well!