Author: Smile Team

Midday (May 10, 2016)

Outlook India.com (15 September 2010)

The story of a poor boy, who is inspired by A P J Abdul Kalam so much that he starts referring to himself by the name of the former President, has been selected for the London Film Festival next month.

I Am Kalam had its world premiere at the Marche du Film at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival in May 12 and will be released by December, says its director Nila Madhab Panda.

Eight other films will also be showcased at the 54th British Film Institute London Film Festival from October 13-28 – Udaan (by Vikramaditya Motwane), Paan Singh Tomar (Tigmanshu Dhulia), Aamir Bashir’s Harud, Mee Sindhutai Sapkal (I Am, Sindhutai Sapkal) by director Ananth Mahadevan, Kaushik Ganguly’s Aarekti Premer Golpo (Just Another Love Story), Kiran Rao’s Dhobi Ghaat, Miral (by Julian Schnabel, co-production with France, Italy and Israel) and Pink Saris (by Kim Longinotto, co-production with UK).

Set in Bikaner in Rajasthan, I Am Kalam is the story of Chhotu’s hunger for education, something which he cannot aspire to have because of penury.

‘Through an engaging, entertaining and fast-paced narrative like a fable, the 87-minute film takes the viewer to the world of Chhotu, who at one point starts referring to himself as Kalam after watching on TV, the former president speak about how he got his education fighting several odds,’ Panda says.

Chhotu, played by Delhi slum boy Harsh Mayar, works in a dhaba. His life takes an unexpected turn when he befriends the son of an erstwhile king of a princely state. Chhotu reads his friend’s old books and hopes of achieving his dream.

“The film, produced by Smile Foundation took six months to complete,” Panda told PTI.

According to the director, I Am Kalam is the story of struggle that he faced and observed since his own childhood.

“The film celebrates the survival of the human spirit against overwhelming odds. It could be a story from any developing country and especially with a colonial past. I started my career in filmmaking, working intensively on the issue of child labour. I understood that it is an inheritance of an exploitative structure that profits from cheap labour without any responsibility,” he says.

The strong narrative, scripted by Sanjay Chauhan (of Pan Singh Tomar fame) talks about how every child deserves to live his childhood, no matter where he is born. The cast includes Bollywood ‘badman’ Gulshan Grover (as the dhaba owner), child actor Hussan Saad (of Delhi 6 fame as the prince) and French actress Beatrice Ordeix.

The music is composed by Susmit Bose, often referred as the ‘Bob Dylan’ of India, and Deepak Pandit.

The film has won a number of awards and recognitions on the international circuit. The Lucas International film festival jury awarded the prize for best feature film to I Am Kalam. It also got the prestigious Don Quijote Prize of the International Federation of Cine-Clubs (FICC) awards.

Source: http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?693538

The Telegraph (07 May 2016)

At least 50 people of Patharghata’s Chapna village in Rajarhat wait eagerly for the mobile hospital that comes calling on alternate Tuesdays.

The all-woman team of doctors and paramedics meet patients at the hospital’s OPD from 2pm to 4.30pm. From checking blood pressure and conducting blood tests and ECGs to distributing free medicines for fever and cold, the team does it all. They also have an oxygen cylinder and nebuliser with them.

NGO Smile Foundation runs two such medical vans, Smile on Wheels, in Calcutta, covering more than 30 urban slums and rural pockets in Rajarhat, north Calcutta, Salt Lake and south Calcutta.

An official said the NGO had been working in these areas since 2011.

“We draw up a roster and visit the target areas on a fixed day every alternate week. That way people know when they can expect medical help,” said Tathagata Chatterjee, a project coordinator for Smile on Wheels. “Most of the patients are daily wage earners with little or no access to proper medical services. Free healthcare on their doorstep saves them time and money.”

Rashida Bibi, 46, of Chapna said she regularly visited the hospital for medicines to keep her blood sugar level in check. “I have brought my grandson with me today. He has lost his appetite.”

Most people turn up with respiratory complaints, acidity trouble and skin rashes caused by vitamin deficiency, said Sangeeta Dey, one of the doctors in the team who works in pockets of Rajarhat and north Calcutta. Rashes and gastro-intestinal problems are very common in the slum areas, she said. “I provide them with primary treatment and refer serious patients to nearest government hospitals.”

Satnam Singh, the national manager of the Smile on Wheels programme, said: “We aim to make primary healthcare affordable, accessible and easily available for daily wage earners who often put off a trip to hospital for fear of losing a day’s pay.”

Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160507/jsp/calcutta/story_84312.jsp#.V5Cmqfm7ikp

Absolute India (May 05, 2016)

BollywoodWire (15 September 2010)

Source: http://bollywoodwire.com/news/i-am-kalam-selected-for-london-film-fest/

Mumbai Mirror (May 04, 2016)

Global Marathi (15 September 2010)

The Economic Times (04 May 2016)

MUMBAI: Virat Kohli Foundation has joined hands with Smile Foundation, a national level development organization, to support the cause of empowerment of underprivileged children and youth.

“Children and Youth are the next generation of students, leaders, entrepreneurs, and the future of the country and there is no better tool other than education to empower them.

“This initiative is not just about fulfilling their basic needs, but making them able to take care of their own needs and giving them an opportunity to learn, equipping them to face challenges and preparing them to be tomorrow’s leaders. I am glad to be associated with Smile Foundation and contribute towards this endeavour,” Kohli said in a statement.

As a first step towards this endeavour, a one-of-its-kind charity dinner in Mumbai is going to be organised in June.

Kohli himself will host the charity dinner, which will be attended by eminent cricketers, industry stalwarts, corporate honchos, Bollywood personalities and achievers from diverse fields.

The experiential evening will have a five course Michelin starred dinner curated by Chef Vikas Khanna for 200 distinguished guests. Also, there will be an auction of luxury items as well as high power entertainment to bring the evening alive.

Khanna, Global Ambassador for Smile Foundation said: “Proper nutrition is crucial for our younger generation and to ensure that they are surging ahead towards building a stronger India. My association with Smile Foundation is towards ensuring that no child misses out on education because of the lack of nutrition.”

Khanna has also pledged to auction the 12th copy of the limited edition of “Utsav – a culinary epic of Indian festivals” at the event to support the campaign of #Milliondollar4Nutrition which aims at raising funds to support Nutrition for less privileged children.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/virat-kohli-foundation-to-host-dinner-for-young-entrepreneurs-underprivileged-kids/articleshow/52106949.cms

Hindustan Times (15 September 2010)

The story of a poor boy, who is inspired by A P J Abdul Kalam so much that he starts referring to himself by the name of the former President, has been selected for the London Film Festival next month.

I Am Kalam had its world premiere at the Marche du Film at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival in May 12 and will be released by December, says its director Nila Madhab Panda.

Eight other films will also be showcased at the 54th British Film Institute London Film Festival from October 13-28 – Udaan (by Vikramaditya Motwane), Paan Singh Tomar (Tigmanshu Dhulia), Aamir Bashir’s Harud, Mee Sindhutai Sapkal (I Am, Sindhutai Sapkal) by director Ananth Mahadevan, Kaushik Ganguly’s Premer Golpo (Just Another Love Story), Kiran Rao’s Dhobi Ghaat, Miral (by Julian Schnabel, co-production with France, Italy and Israel) and Pink Saris (by Kim Longinotto, co-production with UK).

Set in Bikaner in Rajasthan, I Am Kalam is the story of Chhotu’s hunger for education, something which he cannot aspire to have because of penury.

‘Through an engaging, entertaining and fast-paced narrative like a fable, the 87-minute film takes the viewer to the world of Chhotu, who at one point starts referring to himself as Kalam after watching on TV, the former president speak about how he got his education fighting several odds,’ Panda says.

Chhotu, played by Delhi slum boy Harsh Mayar, works in a dhaba. His life takes an unexpected turn when he befriends the son of an erstwhile king of a princely state. Chhotu reads his friend’s old books and hopes of achieving his dream.

“The film, produced by Smile Foundation and Eleeanora Images Private Limited, took six months to complete,” Panda told PTI.

According to the director, I Am Kalam is the story of struggle that he faced and observed since his own childhood.

“The film celebrates the survival of the human spirit against overwhelming odds. It could be a story from any developing country and especially with a colonial past. I started my career in filmmaking, working intensively on the issue of child labour. I understood that it is an inheritance of an exploitative structure that profits from cheap labour without any responsibility,” he says.

The strong narrative, scripted by Sanjay Chauhan (of Pan Singh Tomar fame) talks about how every child deserves to live his childhood, no matter where he is born. The cast includes Bollywood ‘badman’ Gulshan Grover (as the dhaba owner), child actor Hussan Saad (of Delhi 6 fame as the prince) and French actress Beatrice Ordeix.

The music is composed by Susmit Bose, often referred as the Bob Dylan of India, and Deepak Pandit.

The film has won a number of awards and recognitions on the international circuit. The Lucas International film festival jury awarded the prize for best feature film to I Am Kalam. It also got the prestigious Don Quijote Prize of the International Federation of Cine-Clubs (FICC) awards.

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/I-Am-Kalam-selected-for-London-Film-Fest/Article1-600403.aspx