A movie that makes sense AND makes you laugh!. Review on Iqbal

I had loved Hyderabad Blues. Was a little undecided about Rockford and downright disappointed with Bollywood Calling. Probably that had tempted my decision of not watching 3 Deewarein and Hyderabad Blues 2. However, I did go for Iqbal and I am genuinely glad that I did.

Finally, here’s a movie that has the right balance of humour, emotions, despair, triumph and most importantly hope.

Iqbal is the average 18 yr old whose father thinks that he is a good for nothing and instead of uselessly passing time should come and help him in the fields and learn the family business i.e., farming. But he thinks differently. Like every gully cricket player, he wants to wear the blue uniform. He does have definite talent for bowling and infinite support from his mother and sister. But there is nobody to coach him the actual intricacies of the game. Eventually his talent comes across a coach who decides to improve his game. But following a scuffle between him and one of the other rich players he is thrown out of the academy. Heartbroken, he tries to put cricket out of his head, and in the process finds another coach (Naseeruddin Shah) who used to play in his heyday but today is a broken man due to unfulfilled dreams and alcohol. Thus begins the resurrection of the coach and his student- the coach into a man with purpose and the student into a thinking bowler.

The movie is realistic. Right from the village to the inclusion of buffaloes in almost every frame and the rustic elements he uses to make the pitch, the movie has a very simple, believable look. There is no effort to make the village look scenic. No ‘sarson ka khets’ and ‘mitti ki khushbu’ kind of scenes. However, there are scenes that show the kind of problems farmers face. Apart from that, the movie is extremely focused on its main theme and doesn’t veer from its subject.

Also, there is one other thing. Iqbal is deaf and mute. I have purposely not mentioned that because even in the movie, his handicap is treated as a small impediment for communication and not as something that should be sympathized with. His sister is his voice and there is no remorse within him because of his handicap.

The lead guy is brilliant. And if I am allow to add, damn cute too. The performances are extremely believable from the entire cast that includes his sister and Naseeruddin Shah. The way he says his dialogues makes them funnier.

This movie probably won’t work as it hasn’t gotten a lot of exposure. And that’s a sad thing. The only way it could have any chances of running would be through word of mouth publicity. So, go watch this movie (it is definitely ‘paisa vasool’) and spread the word.

PS: Did I forget to mention that 'Ashayein' is a lovely song?