Saturday, May 19, 7:14 pm
I Am Kalam…Harsh Mayar
Harsh Mayar who plays the lead role in I Am Kalam - PICTURE COURTESY: HARSH MAYAR
With a dream in his eyes, this 13-year-old boy is excited. I Am Kalam released on August 5 and Harsh Mayar is the boy who plays lead role in this movie with Gulshan Grover, which has already fetched him a national film award for best child artist 2011!
The Sip of Life caught up with this little boy who had lost hope when he was rejected in auditions for the movie Chillar Party. And today he dreams to make it big in not just Bollywood but Hollywood as well.
It’s interesting how we got in touch with Harsh. Even though he hails from a humble background (his father is a part of a tent house business), but we found him on Facebook and sent him a request for an interview. He was prompt to reply and the next day we even got an SMS from him, telling us he was ready for it and that’s how we got in touch with him and he made it to the Newsmaker of the Week right here on The Sip of Life!
Harsh stays in Ambedkar Nagar at Dakshinpuri in Delhi with his family and as he shares his story with us, he makes it sure, his smile is there, not letting us feel at any moment that he is a big star now! (which he actually is).
Amit Roy, The Sip of Life Moderator talks to him as we all anxiously wait for the movie release this Friday.
“I had gone to my Mausi (aunty) and found two uncles there Suhash and Anwar (our neighbour) who were the friends of Bidhu Bhusan Panda who happens to be the casting director of the movie. I have been acting in the school since 2005 and it was they who recommended my name and that’s how I got into this movie”.
As he shares with us his hard times, Harsh gets serious, “In 2009 I had given my audition for Chillar Party and I was told I would be called on the phone if selected, but it never came. I lost all hope and I did not eat for two weeks and had made up my mind that I would give up acting. My parents were also very upset about it. But then came my way I Am Kalam and though the movie has been shown in international film festivals since last year, it’s being officially released in India now”, he says with an emphatic giggle, adding that even his parents didn’t know his movie would do so well and his nine year old brother Chandan is also happy about it. “He has all my movie posters and they are all over in our house”, says Harsh.
Harsh is not only excited about his movie release but has also been called by Prince Charles for a special screening of the film. A Class eight student of Yogi Arvind Government Sarvodaya Boys Secondary School, his friends were not even aware they have a star in their class! “They will know it now after my movie is released”, he tells The Sip of Life, and that he plans continuing to act in films. He has now even got an offer for a Hollywood movie. When we ask him what’s it about, “No I cannot disclose it now”, he says convincingly.
This ambitious boy has Aamir Khan and Salman Khan as his favourite actors and knows his destination, which is to make it big in the film industry. He recently met veteran Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan and the meeting was facilitated by the Smile Foundation, the producers of the film, which takes up the cause of getting an education for the underprivileged children.
Harsh recently got a chance to meet Amitabh Bachchan - PICTURE COURTESY: HARSH MAYAR
WHAT IS I AM KALAM ALL ABOUT?
I Am Kalam is a film about a poor Rajasthani boy, Chhotu, who is inspired by the former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.The role of Chhotu has been performed by Harsh Mayar and the film is based on the exploits of Chhotu, a helper in the roadside dhabha, who watches APJ Abdul Kalam on television, and is inspired to be like him. The film, directed by Nila Madhab Panda has been premiered at 63rd Cannes Film Festival on May 12. It has been showcased in various film festivals bagging various awards and honors.
You may like to know more about the movie at www.iamkalam.com
YOU CAN WISH HARSH ALL THE BEST FOR HIS MOVIE AND THE SIP OF LIFE WITH SEND YOUR MESSAGE TO HIM. AND THAT’S NOT ALL. THE BEST TEN WISHES FOR HIM WIN ATTRACTIVE PRIZES. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LEAVE YOUR COMMENT HERE AND THE BEST COMMENTS WE RECEIVE TILL SUNDAY WILL WIN PRIZES AND NAMES OF WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THE SIP OF LIFE. LEAVE A COMMENT AND ENCOURAGE HARSH MAYAR 
interesting story..
It is a wonderful story indeed.A few years ago I happened to meet some kids who worked in vishal bhardwaj’s blue umbrella,and came in instant limelight.they were also slum kids doing theatre workshops with some renowned theatre artists in Delhi.The movie was a good experience but I doubt it didn’t change much in their lives.Hope harsh’s story gets only better from here.
Harsh, you are a fortunate child to be found by your dreams. Your hard work and talent will take you to heights that only few can even dream of. I look forward to your movie for many reasons. Of course, Amit’s article about you has introduced you very beautifully and I’m touched with your spirit! Another reason is your subject, Dr. Kalam, who has inspired me a lot too. I remember my one tiny interaction with Dr. Kalam when I represented my school choir at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Then President, Dr. Kalam, had invited schools from across the country to celebrate Christmas Day. His tolerance and respect for diverse communities, love for us children, humility and most importantly his vision are his qualities the nation needs to learn from.
May you be blessed with health and happiness to achieve your dreams and inspire the world. Follow you heart, kid, and you’ll have nothing to fear!
Love,
Rashi
Heere ugte nai shakhao par, Khano ki gehraiyo mein dhunda use jaata hai,
tapta hai jitna sona aag par, utna hi nikhaar us par ata hai,
“Harsh” kaam kro apna ebaadat ki tarah bina kuch soache samjhe,
Chahne walo ki chahat ho agar sachi, khudgarjo ki duniya me b kadardan mil hi jata hai…
he is my school friend