Iqbal

An inspiring and thought provoking tale of a specially abled lad's passion to realize his only dream of being part of the national cricket team. This is a gold dust of cinema, one of the finest you would ever come across by. Indeed, Nagesh Kukunoor deserves a big round of applause for this spectacle, a feat that he successfully achieves in his next project (Dor) as well.

Anybody among us can dream big but those who realize those dreams are the special ones, right! And what would you call that person who has been written off by many since birth and yet goes on to achieve what he has always dreamed of? EXCEPTIONAL; maybe it is an understatement but yes.

As they say, behind every successful man there is a woman, and well Iqbal (a very challenging role portrayed with ease and grace by Shreyas Talpade) had two backing him in his endeavor, his mother and his ever supportive and caring little sister, Khadija (a character brilliantly portrayed by Sweta Basu). Obviously family support is good for moral boost up but it just isn't going to be enough without a well drunk, sorry! a well experienced coach (Nasseruddin Shah's portrayal of this character is surely going to have a lasting impact. He lightened the screen every time with his presence. Pure brilliance!).

And for all those who have started to question their choice of watching this movie because of the fact that you do not understand cricket, then let me just tell you - You don't need to understand cricket at all to enjoy this because becoming a national cricket player is used as a synonym in this movie for a dream that is just too big in the eyes of the society for a lad like him).

I watched this movie when I was a teenager and I have to admit that this movie forever changed my perception of cinema. So, if you are feeling low, dejected, hopeless or having any such kind of thoughts about quitting on your dreams, I urge you to watch this remarkable piece of work.

You would never want to quit on to something that gives meaning to your life.

When you come inside a theater at the end of the movie you want to go out feeling good, happy and this is what Iqbal did. A deaf and blind boy practicing, achieving his goal, striving for it was beautiful and at the end the triumphing of Human Spirit. Let the movie speak for itself go watch it. I have to write 10 lines and i will. Step 1- Go to Video Store or Theater Step 2- Rent or buy a ticket for Iqbal Step 3- Go home and watch it or watch it in the theater Finished Watching It????????????????????????? Step 4- Go to your home and say that this comment was useful as i told you to watch one of the most amazing and inspiring motion pictures Bollywood has ever made!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IQBAL is an excellent movie by Nagesh Kuknoor. His earlier film HYDERBAD BLUES was also good film thematically and in characterization.but had rather loose screen play. But this time he has written a very tight screen play and he has chosen excellent actors . It is a story of an aspiring bowler in a village. This shows clearly that to reach the top is not a plum to be taken but to shed sweat and tears. The relations ship between the deaf and mute bowling aspirant (Shreyas Talpade) and the school going sister(Shweta Prasad) was etched beautifully. In some scenes the film reminded me of that excellent Iranian film "The Children of Heaven" by Mohammad Amir Naji. The boy takes the help of an old cricketer who has gone to seed and Nasiruddin Shah etched this role beautifully as Mohit. The story is down to earth with father not very happy with what he thinks unattainable ambitions of the son but the boy is strongly supported by mother and sister. The ambiance was typical village atmosphere and the house a normal village Muslim family -may not be affluent but not below the poverty line. This is a family drama not the rubbish those come out of Kollywood. All in all a memorable film and Kuknoor graduated to almost world class.

The film I remember was sent for Oscar. Though this was not nominated Kuknoor is approaching Oscar level.

Iqbal doesn't require those plain, ch..ya reviews but aggressive reviews. Call it a bouncer, a sixer, a century, whatever. The experience is as exhilarating. Welcome new cinema. Welcome Iqbal. A movie devoted to a criminally ignored aspect of cricket called bowling with so much of spunk, style, freshness, novelty and surprises that even those not interested in game find it simply irresistible. It has all the aces. Firstly, amazing stories and people happening in small towns too who are crying to be a part of mainstream but nobody really took notice of them. No need to add situational/ item numbers (read non situational)songs or beautiful bimbettes in the name of "heroines". Instead a brother-sister combo is remarkably portrayed. And when it starts talking cricket-the game, the passion, the technique, the struggle, the pain, the politics, the victory, everything beautifully woven interspersed in between in subtle humor such that it all looks as real as life itself in flesh and blood. The honors should equally be shared by background score, songs, cinematography, editing (especially), sound design and script. All performances are first rate. Ultimately, and at last a director's film-Nagesh Kukunoor's best among his six and not to forget a superb one coming from producers mukta arts years after. Three cheers. Now few Grey areas. The film slightly looses its crispness in certain parts such as-Iqbal trying hard to get Naseer to coach him; the struggle Iqbal went through after inducted in Ranji Team and lastly the film ends on a slightly abrupt note. But all these are minor diversions. Lastly, a word of advice to established set ups tried and tested, star-studded, NRI romances format of film making. Please step aside. Your turn is over. A New dawn has set. A New player in the offing. Indian films finally finding their identity. Undoubtedly, the best film released so far this year, year 2005 will be remembered for Iqbal and likes. And Box office. F... box office. To those conventional distributors, being a modest budget film it is an easy break even so you GTH (go to hell) Also, if Tax free status is not granted sooner to this film then it is better to abolish this system of promotion via tax-free. Jiyo Iqbal !

Iqbal has to be one of the best movies India has had to offer yet. I was so glued to this movie that I actually finished it in only one sitting. It is a Highly inspirational movie which tells us that ever dream no matter how impossible it maybe is worth putting a Fight for. Shreyas Talpade the Guy who played Iqbal did an awesome job. The expressions on His Face and the way he Protraied his character was remarkable. He did not even have a word worth of Dilogues in the whole movie but is expressions and character portrayal spook a million words. Naseeruddin Shah has once again proved himself to be a remarkable actor... I was beginning to think that Haseeruddin Shah was moving downhill post the LXG fiasco but I have been proved wrong with his remarkable performance in this movie.

People get You hands on the DVD of this movie ASAP..It will be worth every second .