Oct 05, 2005 12:30 AM
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(Updated Oct 05, 2005 12:30 AM)
Producer: Subhash Ghai.
Director : Nagesh Kuknoor.
Cast : Shreyas Talpade (Iqbal), Naseeruddin Shah (coach mohit), Girsh Karnad (Guruji, coach of Kolipad Cricket Academy), Shweta Prasad (iqbal?s sister), Prateeksha loundkar (mother), Yateen Kareyekar (iqbal?s father) and Kapil Dev as special appearance.
Nagesh Kuknoor?s latest hit, ?IQBAL?, another benchmark on his directorial career. Nagesh kuknoor?s new project supported by Subhash Ghai?s production house receives number of critical acclaims.
Debut actor Shreyas Talpade, enacts the title role ?Iqbal? who lives in a small village near Andhra Pradesh. Iqbal lives cricket as his religion. An 18yr old boy, deaf & dumb who dares to dream to become pace bowler of Indian Cricket Team. The journeys of Iqbal to become a pace bowler, despite of his inability to hear and speak, his struggle towards achieving dreams reflects right out of the life and are easily identifiable. The story is not only about sports, each of us can identify oneself in character of Iqbal.
Far away from professional Cricket Training, Iqbal practices all alone, in dry patch field, bare feet under the steaming sun. His only aim is to strike the trim branches(stumps). First time ever Iqbal learned under professional training, thanks to his sister (Shweta Prasad) who convinces Guruji (Girish Karnad) to enroll her brother in Kolipad Cricket Academy. The training doesn?t lasts for long; soon Iqbal is thrown out the Academy due to internal politics in the academy.Iqbal gets completely dishearten but his disappointment is short-lived. Iqbal soon finds a new coach for himself, Mohit (Naseeruddin shah) a drunkard of village. Mohit unwillingly takes up the challenge to Iqbal but later he really works hard to get Iqbal in to Ranji Trophy.
Shreyas Talpade puts in best of his performance in the entire movie, merely with his facial express and body language. Watch the scene when Iqbal Pleads Guruji (Girish Karnad) to take him back in the academy, when finally Iqbal step in the cricket field for first timehe can?t hear the cheers in the stadium but he has lived this moment many time in his dreams. His performance in above mentioned scene is worth appreciating. is performance stands out against eminent actors like Girish Karnad and Naseeruddin Shah.
The best part of the film is that at no point Nagesh Kuknoor try to create pathos on Iqbal?s inability. Shreyas Talpade virtually carries whole film on his shoulder with effective acting portraying Courage, simplicity, determination and hard work and passion for cricket. Shweta Prasad (sister) and Pateeksha londkar (mother) performance is noteworthy. Combination of Subhash ghai and Nagesh kuknoor has proved to be successful film makers. More over acting of Naseeruddin Shah and Girish Karnad gives realistic effect to the movie. On top of that the special appearance of Kapil Dev?s its just cherry topping for the concept of the movie.
Director Nagesh Kuknoor narrates simple story in very realistic manner. He also takes care of technicalities of cricket without going much deep into it. Pinch of humour like naming the buffaloes with cricketer?s names, hiding from his father the passion for cricket, talks between Mohit and iqbal?s sister, adds colour to the story. Besides Cricket, The movie is an inspiration for any common man who wish to follow his dreams.
