It’s the season of Biopics in Tinsel Town, after biopics on the likes of Milkha Singh, Mary Kom, Sarabjit Singh and more it’s the life story of former Indian President namely the late APJ Abdul Kalam that’s attracted the film industry.
Film maker Pramod Gore who last made the acclaimed Marathi film Reti has taken up the herculean task to picturise the life & the times of the highly coveted scientist turned politician Abdul Kalam. “I will be producing the film under my banner Atharva Motion Pictures,” says producer Pramod Gore. But we wonder what made him take up this subject. “There’s so much that Kalamji has done for our nation, he is an inspiration to all of us. A complete rags to riches story where a boy from a small village rose against all odds to become not just the talented scientist that he was but also our President. I was amazed how a story as great as this still remained untold,” says the filmmaker.
Quite contrary to just producing the film, Pramod Gore went to the lengths of travelling till Rameshwaram, Kalam’s native place, met his elder brother who is now 99 years old along with his nephew who is 66 to get more insight into the life that APJ Abdul Kalam lived. “Yes, I traveled till Rameshwaram because I want to be thorough & not falter in conveying a story as great as this. And also had to seek permission from his family before going ahead with this film. I have also bought all of his 22 written works including the likes of “Ignited Minds”, “Wings of Fire”, “India 2020”, “The Kalam Effect” and more to have enough material.”
It is learnt that Pramod Gore will be signing a Hollywood director to make this biopic and wants to cast Irrfan Khan or Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead role. Confirming the news Pramod Gore avers, “There have been umpteen films on Gandhi but the one which stood out was that of Richard Attenborough. It’s not easy to weave an entire life into a 2 and a half hour film and I want capable hands on board for it. Which is why I want to cast Irrfan Khan or Nawazuddin Siddiqui also as APJ Abdul Kalam because I think they will be able to do full justice to the film.”
Similarly, Pramod Gore wants to rope in Allah Rakha Rahman for music & Gulzar for lyrics. “I have already registered the title of the film APJ with IMPPA which shows the seriousness of this project and I really think the industry should come out and support a film like this. Yes, I want to approach Allah Rakha Rahman & Gulzar Sahab because this story deserves the best. I will also be approaching the Indian Government, asking them if they want to make this film with me. I am hopeful for a positive response,” says Pramod Gore.
Interestingly, Pramod Gore is so moved by the story of APJ Abdul Kalam that when he went to visit Kalam’s native place and saw the conditions in which his Tomb is placed, he resolved to give all the revenue he would make out of the film into developing that land. He wants to build a library there too and do his bit in the name of APJ Abdul Kalam.
The biopic goes on the floors in Jul, 2016 and will be releasing in 2017.
