Indian NGO film on child labour makes waves offshore

Twelve-year-old Harsh Mayar is not very different from the other underprivileged children of his age. He lives in a slum with his parents, helps his father in his tent house business, loves films and wants to be a movie star.

However, Mayar’s life is a far cry from the numerous children, who are denied basic education and are compelled to take up labour to support the family income.

Mayar is already on his way to stardom, thanks to the Smile Foundation’s efforts. An NGO, Smile Foundation works towards education, healthcare and income generation for the weaker sections of the society.

Apart from empowering Mayar and his family financially, the NGO has produced a film I am Kalam, addressing child labour issues and the need for free education.

Mayar plays the protagonist, Chhotu who works at a tea stall in Rajasthan. He is inspired by APJ Abdul Kalam and insists on emulating the former Indian president.

“The film has changed my life and given me new direction. When I grow up and become rich, I will open schools and welfare centres for children like me,” Mayar said in a telephonic interview from the Delhi slum, where he lives.

The film, which made its debut this May at the Marche du Cannes (Cannes Film Festival Market section), won the Youth Jury Award at the 41st IFFI in Goa.

It has also won several awards including the “Audience Favorite” at the Barbican London Children’s Film Festival, “Best Feature Film” at the Lucas International Film Festival, and “Don Quixote Prize” of the Federation Internationale des Cine-Clubs in Germany.

The 87-minute movie, that also stars Gulshan Grover and French actress Beatrice Ordeix, has even earned “Special Mention” at the Cinekid International Film Festival, Amsterdam.

“As a result of its popularity in the international market, there has been a big demand for the film from buyers all over the world,” says director Nila Madhab Panda.

The film has already been sold to distributors in Germany, Taiwan, Netherlands, Belgium, France and Argentina while negotiations are on with distributors from several other countries. ‘I am Kalam’ will have a commercial release in India in February 2011. 

“With this movie, we have tried to draw attention to the movement of educating every child in India. Chhotu’s story is very close to our cause since it is the story of millions of children across the country,” says Santanu Mishra, executive trustee of Smile Foundation.