MUMBAI: Nila Madhab Panda, whose debut film I Am Kalam is inspired by the life of the former president A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, is working on two more films to make a trilogy on the lives of helper boys popularly know as ‘chhotus.‘

"It will be a trilogy. I am working on both the stories (part II and part III) and it will be like (Satyajit Ray‘s) Apu trilogy on the growth of the main character and different facets of his life,” Panda says.

Produced by Smile Foundation, a national development organisation, I Am Kalam is a movie on the plight of the underprivileged and highlights how the privileged can play a role to uplift the former.

Unlike the first part, the sequels won‘t be inspired by the ex-president. The trilogy will actually concentrate on the story of chhotus and will delve into various facets of their lives. “I will start shooting the second part early next year,” Panda revealed. 

I Am Kalam marks the debut of Delhi-based 12-year-old underprivileged child Harsh Mayyar in the lead and French theatre actress Beatrice Ordeix. Gulshan Grover and child actor Hussan Saad play pivotal roles. It is tentatively slated for release early next year.

Panda, who hails from Orissa, has produced and directed over 60 documentaries, short films, television drama and films for national broadcasters in the last 12 years.