His real and reel life stories may be an inspiration to thousands of underprivileged children across the country. But 13-year-old Harsh Mayar is yet to grasp the impact of I am Kalam, an independent feature film that fetched him not only international acclaim, but also the National Award for the best child artiste this year.
Currently in Mumbai to promote the film before its theatrical release in July, the teenage actor is unable to comprehend why people around are fussing over him. “I’ve been giving interviews all day. Now I just want to do some sight seeing,” he says, stifling a yawn.
Mayar plays the protagonist Chhotu who works at a tea stall in rural Rajasthan but aspires to be formally educated. “In the film, I am impressed by former President APJ Abdul Kalam and want to follow in his footsteps,” adds Mayar, sheepishly admitting that in real life his role model is Salman Khan.
“I want to be a popular actor when I grow up. But I also want to study and earn a degree before my acting career takes off,” says the child in all earnestness. Mayar, who lives with his family of five in a Delhi slum, will go to the eighth standard when his school reopens in June.
“I did not let my studies suffer even when I was shooting for the film. And now I am doing promotional activities for the film during my summer vacation,” he adds. Mayar also has ambitious plans for other underprivileged kids like him. “I would like to open schools for slum children so that the underprivileged kids don’t have to go without an education,” he says.
Directed by Nila Madhab Panda and produced by a non-government organisation Smile Foundation, I am Kalam is the story of a spunky child labourer struggling against poverty but aspiring for a better future through education.
“We wanted to create awareness about child labour and every kid’s right to basic education through this movie. And now that the film has received attention in India and abroad, we are happy that we have been successful in our mission,” says Santanu Mishra, executive trustee of Smile Foundation.
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