Iqbal ()
Genre: Sports-based-Drama
Released: 26th August ’05
Director: Nagesh Kukunoor
Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Shreyas Talpade, Shweta Prasad, Girish Karnard, Pratiksha, Yateen Karyekar, Kapil Dev
( Exceptional, Brilliant, Good, Average, * Avoidable)
It seems it is raining good movies this season.
An average story well told is better than an outstanding story not told well. Iqbal’s storyline is not outstanding by any measure but what stands out is the narration. The beauty of the movie lies in telling a predictable story and still keeping the audience glued to their seats by providing wholesome entertainment.
Nagesh Kukunoor has bettered himself as a director with every movie. His earlier movies - Teen Deewarein, Hyderbad Blues, Rockford, Bollywood Calling - despite being good lacked an easy flow of narrative. The pieces of these earlier movies were incoherent at times. Iqbal is different. The narration maintains its focus on the theme of the movie (which is beyond cricket; which is about the desires, struggles and achievements) and keeps flowing smoothly as a calm river.
In short: A well-made movie that needs encouragement from patrons who have a taste for good cinema.
The highlights:
Direction is absolutely fabulous. Nagesh Kukunoor deserves a Pat-on-the-Back for coming out with yet another quality movie.
Shreyas Talpade is brilliant as the lead actor. His expressive eyes are his asset.
Naseeruddin Shah and Shweta Prasad (the young artiste who plays Iqbal’s sister; also seen in a famous TV soap and the movie ’Makdee’). Their acting skills come in handy to make the movie believable.
Music (credited to Salim-Sulaiman and Sukhwinder Singh) create the right ambience for the proceedings.
The let-downs:
Cricket matches (except the final one) could not evoke much excitement or involvement.
The limiting factors:
None.
A little more about the movie: Iqbal, a deaf and mute country boy, wants to make it big in cricket as a bowler. He needs a guru (teacher) and also an interpreter to understand his lessons. His sister is supportive of him and helps him throughout his journey. His father hates cricket and wants him to work in fields.
With this basic setup, we start a journey along with Iqbal. On our way, we feel the agony and pain of shattered dreams, the joy of being recognized, the happiness of achieving, the courage to put up a fight, the dread of the unknown enemies, the hope of a bright future, the turmoil within and turbulence outside...
The movie has lighter moments and some grim ones interlaced well. The presentation is good and makes a wholesome family viewing. Some scenes are handled well and the rest very well. Nagesh Kukunoor does not, for a change, make an appearance in this movie.
Naseeruddin Shah is arguably one of the best actors today. He is terrific and makes you wonder if someone else could have done justice to this role. Girish Karnard is average. Pratiksha, Iqbal’s mother is good in the role that seems to fit her well. Yateen as father is fine.
The soul of the movie is the onscreen brother-sister duo of Shreyas and Shweta. They have given their best performances which may get them nominations at award ceremonies next year. Good, we will get to see more of these two brilliant actors.
The camera is good. The lighting complements the mood of the movie whereas the music/background score takes it even higher. Editing is good (perhaps not razor sharp) and helps the director’s vision and his style of storytelling.
Nagesh should be given the credit for the fabulous performances by the entire cast and crew. He has come of age and finds himself a place in the league of talented and focused film makers. Three cheers for Nagesh. Hip Hip! Hurray! Hip Hip! Hurray! Hip Hip! Hurray!