Chhotu is a boy from a poor Rajasthani family, living in a slum area, who is inspired by the life of former President of India A P J Abdul Kalam and has a strong desire for learning and getting proper education. But owing to poverty he is forced to work in a wayside Dhaba–food stall,.next to an exclusive resort in Rajasthan. Chhotu is very brave,intelligent and possesses an endearing personality. The owner of the Dhaba, Bhati is kind enough to Chhotu and likes him very much because of his pleasing manners, abilities and the capacity to learn things very quickly. He is very close to Lakshmi, the camel and sells tea to the foreign inmates of the resort on camel back and also squabbles with Laptan, a co-worker in the same Dhaba. The nearby resort is in the palace of the Royal family. Chhotu strikes friendship with the lonely Prince of the Royal family Rannvijay but his father has forbidden him from mixing with the commoners.
One day while watching T V , Chhotu saw the President A P J Abdul Kalam delivering speech. He got so much inspired by the speech that he changed his name to Kalam, and decided to meet the President. He firmly believes that his dream of becoming a great man will come true one day. A French tourist Lucy who occasionally visited the Dhaba, was very much impressed by the pleasing manners and the sharpness of Chhotu and had promised him to take to Delhi for meeting the President
Chhotu teaches Hindi to Rannvijay and learns English from him. Chhotu drafted a speech for Rannvijay and it won 1st Prize.in his school contest. But one day the palace guards searched the room of Chhotu and found the missing clothes of the Prince there He was punished by the father of the Prince,lebelling him a thief; but he did not reveal the truth behind it and the young Kalam leaves for Delhi to meet the President A P J Abdul Kalam who also comes from a poor family and had started as a newspaper seller and became a reknowned rocket scientist and thereafter the President of India.
Meanwhile Rannvijay tells his father the clothes were given to Kalam (Chhotu) by him and that he won first prize in the speech contest which was drafted by Kalam. The father of the Prince realised his mistake and sent Rannvijay to bring back Kalam from Delhi., he was found near India Gate and was brought back. The King got Kalam admitted in the same school where his son was reading and gave employment to the mother of Kalam. It is the Karma that works and not destiny alone as was once spoken by the President A P J Abdul Kalam.
The film has been very nicely directed by Nila Madhav Panda. The character of Chhotu has been performed by Harsh Mayar, a Delhi slum boy in real life. The film has many brilliant moments and touchy scenes which will be remembered by the viewers for a long time. Despite having a realistic approach, the film remains optimistic throughout and never allowed any moment of despair. The innocent and unadulterated bond of friendship between Chhotu and Rannvijay goes well beyond the divide of their social status. The curse of child labour has also been reflected in the film. The firm determination, peseverence, stong will power and positive outlook help us in achieving our goal. One must be cheerful despite adversities, troubles and unfavourable circumstances. It is an inspiring and motivational film and deserves encouragement from all sections of society. One aspect, the right to education for all children, has also been indirectly highlighted. These are some of the features of this film which made ” I AM KALAM ” my favourite film of 2011. The film was premiered at 63rd Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 2010 and was released in India on August 5, 2011.