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Kicking off the opening night of the 2011 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, is I am Kalam: a film about a poor Indian boy in the Northern State of Rajasthan, who goes to lengths to secure his right to education. The young boy is named Chotu but adopts the name of Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, an outspoken advocate of childhood education. The Indian government’s own statistics show that there are 20 million child laborers in India – children who are often relied on by whole families to earn a living instead of going to school. The film I am Kalam, uses the classic “Prince and the Pauper” storyline to highlight the class differences between children of wealthy and poor parents. The film’s protagonist Chotu, works in a roadside restaurant catering to a nearby palace whose royalty rent part of it out as a hotel for foreign tourists. Chotu strikes a friendship with the young prince who lives a sheltered but privileged life. The restaurant owner is played by acclaimed Bollywood actor Gulshan Grover, known over the years for playing the role of the classic villain in commercial films, but more recently for his strong interest in independent films.

GUEST: Indian Actor Gulshan Grover, starred in more than 400 films, playing the role of ‘Bhati’ in I am Kalam

Gulshan Grover will be at the opening night of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles on Tuesday April 12th at 7 pm. I am Kalam is part of the opening gala of the IFFLAl; screening will take place at 7:30 pm on April 12th.

All films will screen at the Arclight Hollywood, 6360 W. Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.indianfilmfestival.org.