'I Am Kalam' will inspire new generations, says director Nila Madhab Panda

Kolkata: Hindi filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda today said he is proud to have successfully passed on APJ Abdul Kalam's message to new generation with his 2011 fictional work "I Am Kalam".

Based on the story of how the life of a 10-year-old child labourer changes forever after he takes a cue from a speech made by Kalam, the film went on to win many accolades including a National Award for best child artist.

"I am proud to have done that little job of sending out his message through a film. He wanted to reach out to every child in the country with his messages which were not just 'gyaan'. He believed that there is a solution to every problem," Panda told PTI.

The director hoped that the film will continue to inspire young children in the years to come. "Heroes like him never die," the filmmaker who had shown his first feature film to the 'Missile Man', said.

"His simplicity was his biggest thing. He was so humble and simple which is a lesson for all of us," Panda said, adding that many kids, like 'Chotu' in his film, need a hero like Kalam. The director said he would like to make another feature film on the life and times of Kalam who, passed away yesterday.