Nil Madhab Panda with French actress Beatrice Ordeiux. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, July 20: Director Nila Madhab Panda is all set to mesmerise the Indian audience with his national award-winning film I am Kalam.

I am Kalam is the first commercial flick by Panda, the director of 60 documentaries. Set up against a rural Rajasthan backdrop, the film revolves around a young boy and his path-breaking journey to receive education. Panda, who hails from Dasharajpur, is known for making documentaries with social sensibilities. I am Kalam is no exception.

Motivated by former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s speech, a young illiterate boy, Chotu, from Rajasthan decides to study. The story is about Chotu’s journey and how he bypasses several trials and ordeals to achieve his dream.

The director has manifested, through camera, the hardships and struggles of his own childhood.

“The storyline of I am Kalam has a subtle similarity with my childhood days. That encouraged me to make films on serious issues, but I always prefer to showcase them in a fun and inspiring mood,” said the director.

Shooting for a low-budget film like I am Kalam, the director had to go through several nightmares. Filming at 48°C in the Thar desert proved to be a challenge for the unit. While reminiscing the I am Kalam days, the director tweets: “Everything seemed to come to a dead end. There was scarcity of food and electricity and we had to brave inclement weather for the shoot. We had to use camels for the shoot, which was an adventurous experience.”

Powerful performances by the star casts, especially by child artiste Harsh Mayar, was admired by all. Harsh won the National Award as the best actor in child artiste category. The film also stars Gulshan Grover, French actress Beatrice Ordeix and child actor Hussan Saad of Delhi 6 fame.

“Selecting the cast was another tough task. We travelled from Delhi to Jaisalmer auditioning thousands of kids. But, none caught our eyes. It was my casting director Biju, who first saw Harsh and he immediately knew that this was our Chotu. It was his smile and aura that we loved the most,” the director said.

Smile Foundation, an organisation dealing with child education, produced the film.

The director has given a great deal of emphasis on its plot and screenplay than the technicalities. “It is the story that connects with the audience and not the techniques,” said Panda.

The overwhelming response for I am Kalam has inspired Panda to collaborate with three international production houses. But, he will stick to his ambition and dream of making movies revolving around the social and political issues of his country.

I am Kalam is slated to release nationwide on August 5.