Kalam denies role in Indo-French film

New Delhi, Nov 28 : Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has denied that he is appearing in an Indo-French film titled 'I Am Kalam'. But actor Gulshan Grover insists Kalam 'has given a shot as himself in the movie'.

Kalam's office said in a statement: "Kalam has no plans to act or associate with any film. The news is only a speculation and it is the individual's imagination with a business motive."

Bollywood actor Gulshan Grover, who stars in the movie, had earlier told IANS that Kalam had made a small appearance in "I am Kalam", a film Gulshan said was inspired by the former president.

Speaking in New Delhi, Gulshan said he had finished working on "a very interesting film called 'I Am Kalam'. I shot for it recently in Rajasthan. It's an Indo-French film. The director is an Indian - Madhav Panda.

"This film is about a child's ability to dream, a child who gets inspired after watching the former president, how he has the right to dream big and work towards that dream, and that is what our former president says."

Asked if Kalam was aware of this film, Gulshan replied in a taped interview: "Yes, very much, and in fact he has kindly done a little bit of appearance in the picture as a cameo."

Asked Saturday to comment on Kalam's denial, Gulshan told IANS over telephone from Mumbai: "The film has been made (with) Kalam's blessings and has been inspired by his story. He has given a shot as himself in the movie. He has not acted as an actor...

"I stand by what I say. We don't want to disrespect him. He (Kalam) is a man of integrity. We are indebted to him for the movie, and the movie is nothing without him."