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I Am Kalam backdrop
5 August 2011Hindi87 min

I Am Kalam

6.722 reviews
CriticsRecommended

Bayesian avg · 22 critic reviews

7.5+ Exceptional · 6.5 Recommended · 5.0 Mixed

8.33 ratings
Users

User Score · avg of 3 ratings

8.0+ Exceptional · 7.0 Recommended · 5.5 Mixed

I Am Kalam is a story about Chhotu, a poor Rajasthani boy, who is inspired by the life of the former President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and his strong desire to learn. The character of Chhotu has been performed by Harsh Mayar, a Delhi slum boy.

Critic Consensus

Critical reception for I Am Kalam is overwhelmingly positive, with most reviewers recommending it as an uplifting and sincere film. Critics most consistently praised its heartfelt storytelling, strong performances, and its message about childhood, education, and dreams. The few dissenting voices pointed to a slow narrative pace, an overly sanitized or too-good-to-be-true plot, and a weak climax as notable shortcomings. Several reviewers acknowledged its limited commercial appeal while still championing its artistic and social merit.

22 reviews · 16 positive · 1 mixed · 1 negative

Praised: heartfelt story and performancesCriticised: slow pace, sanitized narrative

AI-generated summary of 22 critic reviews · may contain errors

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Critic Reviews (22)

Rajeev MasandTop Critic· IBNLive
7.0
"It's a charming little film that'll leave you wiser and happier. Don't miss it."
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Shubhra GuptaTop Critic· Indian Express
7.0
"'I Am Kalam' is a big smile of a movie. You watch, and smile right back."
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Nikhat KazmiTop Critic· Times Of India
7.0
"A film that may not storm the box office, I Am Kalam will definitely stir your sensibilities."
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"Must be watched for its sincere effort to carry forward the world of the child with the same mellow maturity of vision as the recent 'Stanley Ka Dabba' and 'Chillar Party'."
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Pankaj Sabnani· Glamsham
8.0
"I am supremely impressed by I AM KALAM. Watch this film made with lot of heart for its poignant story-telling and incredible performances."
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"I Am Kalam shows how beautiful small can be, especially when the heart is in the right place and the mind is clued in."
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JPN· Jagran
8.0
"With a child protagonist, 'I Am Kalam' gives an important message particularly to the adult audience on how every child has a basic right to education and live his dream."
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8.0
"I Am Kalam stands for what Chhotu firmly believes in. You make your own destiny, which he picked up from a speech by APJ Kalam. At a time, when children seem bereft of the right idol to emulate, I Am Kalam shows the way."
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7.0
"I Am Kalam is yet another superlative children's film this year. Go watch this hearty film that lingers with you long after."
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Aniruddha Guha· DNA India
7.0
"I Am Kalam is a gripping watch that leaves you feeling uplifted and positive. Try not to miss it."
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Taran Adarsh· Bollywood Hungama
7.0
"...an inspiring and motivating film that deserves to be encouraged. Recommended!"
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Shaikh Ayaz· Rediff
7.0
"In the end, what contributes to I Am Kalam immensely is its metaphor of Kalam, the scientist with an almost magical ability to bind people, especially children. Kalam today stands for education, poverty and above all, an abiding love for children, in much the same way Nehru once did. If socialist films were dubbed Nehruvian, would those with child protagonists working their way through life for higher goals and purposes in a brave, new future-time be hailed as Kalamian?"
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Mihir Fadnavis· Mid Day
7.0
"I am Kalam is a delight to sit through. It is one of the bright spots in a dim period for half-witted commercial films. Don't miss it."
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IndiaGlitz· India Glitz
7.0
"Give this film a chance. It tells a lot without speaking much."
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Mansha Rastogi· NowRunning
7.0
"I Am Kalam is that little gem which needs recognition. If it takes a star to promote a great film (read Salman Khan producing Chillar Party purely for its brilliance), I Am Kalam definitely deserves one too."
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Mayank Shekhar· Hindustan Times
6.0
"It's a sweet, intimate, fable-like film, even unnecessarily sanitised in parts, that touches upon issues of class, poverty, childhood, dreams, without ever quite losing sight of a reasonably plausible, engaging tale to tell. This helps."
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Meeta Kabra· Wogma
6.0
"I am Kalam charmingly visualizes the life of a little boy who has to work to sustain himself and his family. Its simplicity is works as both an advantage and a disadvantage. The easy-going narrative is a pleasant watch but too-good-to-be-true plot is distracting."
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Namrata Joshi· Outlook
4.0
"It's a straight, simple story with no great highs and lows and an easy resolution. The film moves a bit slowly, the acting initially feels mannered and the setting designed. But the unashamed good-heartedness and positivity of the film eventually take over."
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Unknown· KoiMoi
2.0
"I Am Kalam will get critical acclaim and appreciation from the classes but its box-office prospects are rather dull. The slow pace of the narrative, the botched climax, and lack of emotions in the drama are significant drawbacks."
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Gaurav Malani· Times Of India
"With a child protagonist, I Am Kalam gives an important message particularly to the adult audience on how every child has a basic right for education and to live his dream."
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Sudhish Kamath· The Hindu
"While many Indian youth (like Pitobash as Luvtund) grow up idolising film stars, we are really lucky to have Kalam. And it's a good thing that someone made a film to give kids a role model, someone they can become."
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Daily Bhaskar· Daily Bhaskar
"...if you have a taste for good and sensitive cinema, 'I Am Kalam' is surely a treat to watch."
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Cast & Crew

Cast

Details

Release Date
5 August 2011
Runtime
87 min
Language
Hindi

User Ratings & Reviews

Users8.33 ratings

3 ratings from the community

Community Reviews (2)

SAFeb 2014

I Am Kalam. A smart kid from a village in Jaiselmar, Rajasthan finds his inspiration in President APJ Abdul Kalam to grow big in life. He works at a small restaurant run by his uncle played surprisingly perfect by Bollywood bad man Gulshan Grover, he befriends with a rich boy of his age and a French tourist lady who help him with many things. In fact, he has the ability to learn instantly and make friends for lifetime. The whole movie is crafted with so much of love, simplicity, affection and honesty that is hard to resist. What works more in favor is short run-time of one and half hours and convincing, solid acting by all actors. There are numerous scenes that will stay with you forever. This does not blow your mind off, doesn't try to create sympathy for children forced to work and deprived of education. What it tries to say that it does not matter how small you were when you started, you can always grow big if you follow your dreams. Don't miss it, it's a touching mini classic.

SOAug 2015

Very Nice Movie. Adding Inspiration to the kids to do something with will power and interest. Must watch for those who likes sensible movies.

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