Iqbal (2005)

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.

Fmovies: I think Iqbal is a class apart movie n it deserves awards .I agree that Black was a beautiful movie but just see the simplicity in that film.The cast was just the best:-) 1 Shreyas Talpade was a class apart actor the way he did that role was beautiful.The scene where he cries because he is thrown out from the cricket academy was the best.You Rock! 2.Shweta Prasad really made u laugh n enjoy the movie.Her relationship with her brother was very good. 3.Nasserudin Shah deserved an award for this performance.Simply class apart.But as they say the world is not always fair On the whole the actors n last but not the least our very talented director Nagesh Kuknoor deserve a thumbs up for the movie May your next movie be a bigger hit. lots of luck Nonie

I went to this movie just today. I heard great reviews from everybody and I finally watched it today. Nagesh Kukunoor has the knack of coming up with some good films, especially off late after Teen Deewarein(Which was brilliant). This movie I think is another feather in his cap. This story is about a deaf mute, Iqbal (Shreyas Talpade), who lives in the small village of Kolipad and dreams of becoming a great cricketer. His father is totally against his love for the game but his mother and sister push him towards his dream. Iqbal is first coached by a devious Girish Karnad, who ditches him for a rich kid. His only refuge is the village drunk Mohit(played brilliantly by Naseeruddin Shah), a former Ranji cricketer. The relationship between Iqbal and Mohit is beautifully brought out on screen. Iqbal's sister (played by Shweta) also gives a brilliant performance. But the cherry on the cake belongs to Naseeruddin Shah. His charm is infectious. He breathes life into the character of Mohit with effortless ease. Shreyas Talpade has also brought in a very good performance. He has really emoted very well and has done justice to his role as the deaf mute. The actor playing Iqbal's father also does a very good job. I think this movie is for the masses as well as the classes. It will be enjoyed by one and all. As the movie's bylane rightly puts it. "It is a story above Cricket."

Iqbal fmovies. 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 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 .

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 !