Indian cinema is finally coming of age. Iqbal is just one of the slew of masterpieces coming out of the industry- Black, Page 3, Mangal Pandey, to name a few. Directors these days are willing to experiment on more abstract storylines, though ’Iqbal’ had a fundamental message and a plot that would appeal to people in any walk of life.
This is a story of how a person can achieve his ultimate desire, if he has the spirit in him- inspite of all the odds. Iqbal- a deaf mute from a remote village- what chance would he have of getting into the Indian national team? No one gave him a chance initially, but the more importantly, he gave himself a chance. Through sheer willpower, one man breaks away from the mould of everyday drudgery, and one day lives his ultimate fantasy. Sort of reminds you of Million Dollar Baby, in a way.
Shreyas Talpade gives a knock out performance in his debut film. Not only does he portray the mannerisms of a rural deaf mute, but the trials and tribulations running through his mind are clearly conveyed without even uttering a word. The parts where Iqbal gets embroiled in the politics of the sport are well performed- they give a clear picture of the state of mind of a budding junior cricketer.
This film definitely has a message for everyone - dream, and dream big. There is a feel good factor at the end of the movie that characterizes the spirit and can-do attitude of the modern Indian youth - rural or urban. So go out and enjoy the film- and feel good about yourself!!