Dear The Pursuit of Happyness...

I vividly remember that I watched this movie with my dad one evening, and we both loved it. You didn’t feel like just a movie. You felt like a lesson, a reminder, and a motivation all at once. Watching you honestly gave me chills. I sat quietly during some scenes, not because they were sad, but because they felt so real.

Chris Gardner’s story hit me hard. Seeing how he struggled every single day—but never gave up—made me feel something deep inside. Life is not always fair, and sometimes it’s hard to stay positive when everything feels like it’s falling apart. But you showed me that even when things look impossible, there’s still hope.

The moment where Chris is sleeping with his son in the bathroom, hugging him tightly, made me cry. That scene stayed in my mind for days. I realized how much we take for granted—our homes, our parents, even small things like a warm bed.

There was one quote that truly stayed with me: "Don’t ever let somebody tell you you can’t do something. Not even me."

That one line made me think about my own dreams. Even I’ve felt that way when I didn’t get the marks I expected. Sometimes I doubt myself. But you reminded me that I don’t have to listen to that doubt. I just have to keep moving forward, like Chris did.

Even though I’m just a student, I now understand that success is not just about money or marks—it’s about how hard you’re willing to try, even when no one believes in you. You showed me that giving up is never an option. And now I can relate how my mom never gives up, even when things are tough.

Thank you for teaching me about patience, self-belief, and the power of not quitting. Whenever I feel low, I think about your ending scene—Chris walking out with tears in his eyes, finally achieving what he worked so hard for. That moment gives me strength.

You didn’t just tell a story. You gave me courage. You gave me hope.

With respect and love,

Kzaara

Kzaara Mahajan is a student in Grade 9, studying in Cambridge International Foundation School, Jalandhar.

This love letter was shortlisted as one of the top 10 entries of our 3rd Writing Contest - writing a love letter to a piece of media you adore.

Read our top 10 contest entries here.