I Am Kalam

Chotu is a buoyant boy from a poor family who works at a highway dhaba to support his kin. He clings to a simple dream: to wear a tie and go to school, inspired by Dr. Kalam. His resilience sets the stage for a life shaped by aspiration rather than circumstance.

Chotu forms a quiet, transformative friendship with Ranvijay, the royal heir of a nearby resort. They discover that money and privilege cannot buy real happiness, and their bond challenges social divisions. This friendship begins a shared journey toward a broader, more inclusive view of education.

Their companionship evolves into a vivid portrait of a modern outlook that rejects the caste system and champions education for the underprivileged. Chotu learns the value of a true friend who pushes him toward a brighter future, while Ranvijay discovers responsibility behind privilege. The two boys imagine schooling as a path they can walk together.

As Chotu's dream intensifies, he is drawn to the image of a future in a crisp uniform and is inspired by the Republic Day Parade and Kalam's salute march. He begins to answer to Kalam, adopting the name as a personal beacon of education. The moment marks a shift from daydream to a planned pursuit.

Lucy, a foreign woman who believes in Chotu's potential, meets him and urges his mother to allow schooling. Her faith offers a glimmer of possibility amid the family's harsh circumstances. This encounter becomes a catalyst for pursuing education against odds.

Despite their faith in Chotu's talent, poverty and circumstance keep formal education out of reach. The family struggles to balance daily survival with the dream of schooling. The barrier looms large as hope flickers.

Undeterred, Chotu makes a bold decision and runs away to Delhi to meet the President, penning a heartfelt letter in which he expresses his desire to be like the President and thanks Dr. Kalam. The act is a bold leap toward his dream and demonstrates his stubborn resolve. The city becomes a stage for his determination.

Chotu's family pursues him through the city, and Ranvijay's presence brings relief amid tension, even as Chotu feels a twinge of jealousy. The pursuit tests their friendship and underscores the complexities of aspiration. The moment culminates in a fragile, hopeful reconciliation.

Ranvijay’s father offers Chotu’s mother work at the family’s resort and commits to funding Chotu’s education, with enrollment in the same school as Ranvijay. The gesture reframes poverty as a solvable barrier and reframes the boys' futures. Yet the choice of how to pursue schooling remains with Chotu.

Chotu remains determined to earn his education on his own terms, opting for self-reliance over handouts. He accepts the help as a possibility but insists on earning every step of his progress. The stance reinforces the film's message that true growth comes from perseverance.

The story closes with Chotu—who has begun answering to Kalam—and Ranvijay boarding a school bus in their uniforms, symbolizing a shared commitment to learning. The uniforms mark a transition from dreams to tangible education. Their friendship stands as a beacon of opportunity over circumstance.

Together they embody resilience, authentic friendship, and the transformative power of education, anchored by national pride and the belief that every child deserves a chance to grow. The film ends with a note of optimism about opportunities built through effort and support. Their journey invites viewers to reimagine possibility beyond the constraints of their beginnings.