Dr Kalam loved being happy; I'm thankful to him for giving me an identity, says 'I am Kalam' actor Harsh Mayar

New Delhi: That Dr APJ Abdul Kalam touched and transformed the lives of many, we all know. But the one person Dr Kalam gave an identity of his own is Harsh Mayar, the actor who played the protagonist in the movie 'I am Kalam'.

In an exclusive interaction with IBNlive.com, Harsh said that he was deeply indebted to Dr. Kalam for giving him his identity. The actor, who won a National Award for 'I am Kalam' was extremely saddened by the demise of the people's President and went to pay homage to him last night.

Harsh said, "Dr. Kalam has inspired me all through these years, honestly, I didn't know him much before the movie, as I was a child, but as the production of the movie progressed, my respect for him grew, and gradually he became a part of me."

Mayar remembers Kalam to be an affable and appreciative man. “Dr Kalam was very encouraging, he told me to study hard and chase my dreams. Also, he was very jovial, he really liked talking in Hindi, but wasn't very good at it," he adds.

On being asked about his first meeting with Kalam, Harsh said, "He blessed me and asked "Tu hai junior Kalam?" and on seeing a particular scene where I get beaten up, he chuckled and said, "Kalam ko maar bhi padd rahi hai." He was a wonderful person, who loved being happy."

'I am Kalam' was directed by Nila Madhab Panda and was widely acclaimed. Harsh Mayar said that he had never dreamt of becoming an actor, but he can’t thank Dr Kalam enough for encouraging him to have dreams and making them come true. "There was a point of time, when even my friends started calling me Kalam, I was extremely thrilled and thankful to Dr Kalam for giving me an identity. For me the 'Missile Man' will always be greater than any Ironman, Batman or Superman."

Harsh signed off by saying that all his life he has followed the virtues of Dr Kalam, and the quote by the President "Dream is not that which you see while sleeping it is something that does not let you sleep" is something that he swears by.