Gattu(2012)
Gattu is a 2012 Indian Hindi-language children's drama film directed by Rajan Khosa and written by K.D. Satyam. The film stars Mohammad Samad in the title role, alongside Naresh Kumar, Zoya Arshad, Harshit Kaushik, and Jayanta Das. Set in the small town of Roorkee, Uttarakhand, the story follows a nine-year-old orphan who works in his uncle's recycling business and dreams of defeating a legendary black kite that dominates the local skies. To pursue his passion, he pretends to be a student at a prestigious school, leading to a series of lies and a journey of self-discovery. The film was entirely shot with local school children and received critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of childhood. It won a special mention at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival and the Audience Choice Award at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. Gattu was released theatrically in India on 20 July 2012.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Amazon Prime Video, YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 20 July 2012
- Director
- Rajan Khosa
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
- Rating
- 7.3/10
Storyline
A nine-year-old orphan named Gattu lives in Roorkee and works in his uncle's recycling shop. His only joy is kite flying. He dreams of defeating Kali, a black kite that has never been beaten. To get a better place to fly, he pretends to be a student at a local school. His lies threaten to destroy his friendships and his dream.
“One boy. One kite. One dream.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Trivia
- The film was shot in the narrow lanes of Old Delhi to capture authentic street life.
- It was India's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 85th Academy Awards.
- The child actor, Mohammad Samad, who played Gattu, was discovered from a Delhi slum.
- The movie's budget was very low, funded partly by the Children's Film Society of India.
- Kite-flying scenes used real kites, not CGI, to keep the action genuine and lively.
- Director Rajan Khosa researched for months by living in Old Delhi and flying kites with local kids.
- The film's premiere at the Berlin International Festival helped it gain international attention before its India release.