Movie Reviews - my favorites

Iqbal

The best thing that has happened to India in September 2005 is Iqbal. Iqbal treads with an altogether touching story of a passionate boy whose one and only aim is to become a cricketer and has his place in the team India. The film has been in news since the time Subhash Ghai announced to produce it. But no one ever imagined the movie to be so brilliant.

Nagesh Kukunoor though has done a couple of films in the past, was more a one film wonder with his only successful film till date in Hyderabad blues. He has taken the smartest decision by taking Shreyas Talpade a rank newcomer in the lead role.

The story line was so good, the script was so powerful, it forced Subhash Ghai launch a new Production Company Mukta Searchlight Films that focuses on movies directed by small time but good directors. Iqbal is about ambition, aspiration and achievements of a young guy.

You have to admire the film whole-heartedly. The movie is a genuine hit. So what if it can't make money in the box-office. But what I feel is that the movie should be given a chance. Because the movie is much better than Lagaan in most of the aspects. It is worth every money spent on it. This movie has establishes one fact, a talented film-maker does not need a fat budget to impress his audience. A talented film-maker does not need big stars to make his film a hit.

Iqbal is about a village boy whose only ambition in life is to become a cricketer. His religion is cricket. He eats, drinks, sleeps cricket. His physical disability and lack of resources do not stop him from dreaming the same. His mother & sister always support him in all his fight. But his father is strictly against it. He believes the game is a total waste of time as cricket is full of betting. He finds a man who can help him out, Mohit a one time cricketer who became caught in the politics of the game & now a village drunkard. Mohit initially refuses to coach him as he believes the present day politics will not allow Iqbal to be a part of team India. But seeing his passion for the game he relents. What follows next is a shattering journey of bravery, pride & achievement, as both of them move towards a dream chase.

Iqbal worked because it has got something that any brilliant film demands - a great script, great performances by all actors, superb picturisation, nice production values.

Nagesh Kukunoor has come a long way after Huderabad Blues. Iqbal has arrived very quietly with a very powerful patron Subhash Ghai backing it. It has been publicized well. Not very big premiers, big previews. But still it was an effort justified.

This film has got only faith to its credit. No box office stars, no great music, no item numbers, no remixes, no scandals or controversies. For once, there has been no hypes associated with this film.
This movie is a lesson for all those in movie business, that you don't require obscene budgets, nor huge star casts to get noticed. Look at what big budget movies recently. A lot of movies were publicized with great fan fare. But what happened to them?

Today's audience is no fool. They have refused to be taken for granted anymore. What they want is their money's worth. To hell with all else. A good story, nicely told.

A story that touched your heart and possibly inspires you to progress in your life. A story like Iqbal's. Some may wonder how Kukunoor has taken a physically challenged boy who wants to play for Indian Cricket Team & succeeds in that. But so realistic is the performance of the lead stars, and so narrative & moving is the story line that it really doesn't matter that you will forget all else. All you will remember after coming out of the hall is the fight of Iqbal to get a place in Team India. That is the magic of this movie.

I believe team India should also wake up seeing this movie. This movie shows the dedication a boy has put up just to play for the team. The kind of dedication our present day cricketers have lost in recent times. Politics in choosing good players is there and is going to remain. Why else good cricketers still not getting chance to play whereas players with horrible forms keeps on getting chances again & again & again.

The movie has been a houseful in all big cities in the first week. But the coming days will prove the fate of this brilliant movie. Cheers for Subhash Ghai & Kukunoor. We need peoples like them. Because we need to believe in reality. This movie is more powerful than any movie that has been released in recent times.