Abdul Kalam gets nostalgic on watching I Am Kalam

When Dr. Abdul Kalam saw the film I Am Kalam, he was pretty impressed.
I am Kalam was specially screened for the former Indian President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, at his Delhi residence yesterday. Producer Santanu Mishra, director Nila Madhab Panda along with the two little heroes of the film Harsh Mayar and Husaan Saad had gone to Dr. Kalam’s residence to screen the film for him and also take his blessings, now that the film is ready for a nationwide theatrical release.
I am Kalam revolves around the story of a child who is inspired by Dr. Kalam; and his trials and tribulations when he dares to dream to become like him. The film has so far won 1 National Award and 11 international awards.
Dr. Kalam was impressed with the film and stated “While watching the film, some thoughts went in my mind that I have met 12 million youth in a decade from all over the country. The movie made me realise that every person can make changes in others lives. We should promote education in villages. I have started PURA (Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) scheme). We need to create employment to parents so that they can send their children to school. I ask myself, 'What have I learnt?' I have realised one thing that children are a big force. The ignited mind of the youth is the most powerful resource on the earth, above the earth and below the earth. We have got 600 million youth which no other democratic country has. If you have great aim in life and acquire the knowledge, it does not matter who you are, you will reach your goal. Urban education is not enough, good education must reach remote villages. The recent right to education bill that Parliament has passed for compulsory free education is not sufficient. We need good primary teachers because they will create a creative classroom. My aim to become a space scientist came when I was a 10-year-old child in British India of 1941. I was studying in a panchayat school. I remember my science teacher Shiv Subramani Aiyar and he once taught us about how the birds fly. He even took us to sea shore to show us how they flew and changed the direction. This is where my dream was born. I knew that I will do something related to flight. I took physics, learnt about aeronautics engineering and space science. And my teacher is my idol.”
In addition, he also asked the producer Santanu Mishra and director Nila Madhab Panda to take his film to rural schools and colleges. Getting an appreciation from the inspirer himself is yet another achievement for this film.
The cast and crew of the film had earlier met Dr. Kalam after the film was conceptualized and before the shooting had begun. He had met the crew and had specially spoken to Harsh Mayar (playing Chhotu/Kalam in the film) and Husaan Saad (playing prince Ranvijay) about not giving up education even while they focus on an acting career.

TOI

Visual Stories

Bigg Boss

Photostories

Featured In Movies

MORE FROM ETIMES