AllMovie

Two children from very different walks of life form a friendship that teaches them valuable lessons in this family-friendly drama from director Nila Madhab Panda. Chotu (Harsh Mayar) is a young boy from a family hit hard by poverty whose mother sends him to the city to live and work with his Uncle Bhati (Gulshan Grover). Bhati runs a small café next to a luxury hotel that's home to King Rudra and his young son Prince Ranvijay. Chotu is bothered that his name is so common among street kids in India; determined not to let poverty hold him back, Chotu impulsively changes his name to Kalam, after a former Indian president, and when he happens to meet Ranvijay, the two strike up a friendship. Kalam envies Ranvijay's wealth and privilege, while Ranvijay wishes he had Kalam's freedom. Kalam encourages Ranvijay to attend school with him, and the wealthy youngster finds he enjoys getting to know other kids his age, though keeping his new pastime a secret from his father is no small accomplishment. I Am Kalam was an official selection at the 2010 BFI London Film Festival.