This is a Hindi language film by Gulzar.
The film's theme is on the turbulence of childhood; a rare coming of age film from the 70s, and thus in a way a trendsetter in Indian films. Master Raju was a superstar of sorts in those days playing a young child in films - usually the hero's character from when he was child to give some background to the story. But in Kitaab, Master Raju's character Babla is the central character of the film. The film shows a child - rebellious and indisciplined - runs away from home and goes through a lot of struggles.
You get a view into the mind of the child and full credit to Gulzar to not playing defensive or playing to the gallery. He portrays children as they truly are, even naughty to the extent that they deserve a scold or spanking at times. The scenes showing them smoking though crossed a line for a family film and could have been avoided.
Otherwise an adventurous, engrossing film with a lot of lessons for growing up children.
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