Top Cast
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
AI-generated summary of 22 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyCritic Reviews (22)
"It's a charming little film that'll leave you wiser and happier. Don't miss it."Read full review ↗
"A film that may not storm the box office, I Am Kalam will definitely stir your sensibilities."Read full review ↗
"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'."Read full review ↗
"I am supremely impressed by I AM KALAM. Watch this film made with lot of heart for its poignant story-telling and incredible performances."Read full review ↗
"I Am Kalam shows how beautiful small can be, especially when the heart is in the right place and the mind is clued in."Read full review ↗
"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."Read full review ↗
"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."Read full review ↗
"I Am Kalam is yet another superlative children's film this year. Go watch this hearty film that lingers with you long after."Read full review ↗
"I Am Kalam is a gripping watch that leaves you feeling uplifted and positive. Try not to miss it."Read full review ↗
"...an inspiring and motivating film that deserves to be encouraged. Recommended!"Read full review ↗
"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?"Read full review ↗
"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."Read full review ↗
"Give this film a chance. It tells a lot without speaking much."Read full review ↗
"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."Read full review ↗
"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."Read full review ↗
"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."Read full review ↗
"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."Read full review ↗
"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."Read full review ↗
"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."Read full review ↗
"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."Read full review ↗
"...if you have a taste for good and sensitive cinema, 'I Am Kalam' is surely a treat to watch."Read full review ↗
Cast & Crew
Cast
- Gulshan Grover · Bhati the dhaba owner
- Harsh Mayar · Chhotu/Kalam
- Hussan Saad · Prince Ranvijay
- Beatrice Ordeix · Lucy
- Pitobash Tripathy · Laptan
- Rajat Bhalla · Police Havaldar
- Garima Bharadwaj · Rani Sa
- Sanjay Chauhan · Raja Rudra Pratap Singh (as Sanjay Chouhan)
- S.D. Chouhan · Ranvijay's Servant
- Meena Mir · Chhotu's mother
- Suresh Acharya · Lakha's Assistant
- Biswajeet Bal · Sukha Singh
Director
Story
Cinematography
Producer
Editing
Details
- Release Date
- 5 August 2011
- Runtime
- 87 min
- Language
- Hindi
User Ratings & Reviews
3 ratings from the community
Community Reviews (2)
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.


















