Iqbal: Movie Review

Rating: ****1/2

Nagesg Kukkunoor - the name deserves a mention before I start with my review of his new movie Iqbal. An ex-engineer and a terrific filmmaker. He has made five films so far - Hyderbad Blues, Rockford, Bolllywood Calling, Teen Deewarein and Hyderabad Blues II. Iqbal is his sixtn directorial venture. Worth mentioning is the fact that he usually writes the story of almost all of his films himself besides directing it. And I think thats the reason why his characterization and direction is so much more effective. And without doubt, I have seen all his films (with the exception of HB II), and loved them all. Interestingly, except for the HBI and HB II series, he has not repeated any story ideas. All his films have a unique theme, some distint identity of their own, not only amongst themselves, but wven when you compare these across all the films that are made in Bollywood.

Iqbal is a story about a simple village boy called Iqbal, played by the newcomer Shreyas Talpade. He is a deaf and mute guy whose life begins and ends on cricket. And his dream is to play for the Indian team one day. An excellent bowler and a dedicated individual, this film narrates for us his journey towards his dreams. As aptly stated in the film's publicity slogans, it is a film 'beyond cricket'. And I could not agree more. It really is. It is a film about human spirit, about dreams and about making them come true. Now something like that could get really melodramatic or prophetic. But Nagesh has managed to completely steer clear of either. His direction is so very sophisticated and yet so simple that you never feel that yu are watching actors playing parts of some characters. rather you feel that you are watching real people and almost as if you are in the village with them. Nagesh's last film Teen Deewarein has already proven beyond doubt how an amazing storyteller he is. Iqbal does nothing but reaffirm my faith in him. The director, and more so the writer in him is in stupendous form this time as well. Kudos to him for writing such a wonderfully simple but beautiful story. I wish there were more like him in the Indian film industry.

Shreyas who plays the protagonist Iqbal, is a very good actor. Mostly underplaying his emotions, emoting a lot through his eyes and face, he is a pure delight to watch. Rani Mukherjee played a deaf and dumb character in Black recently and got all the media attention for her portrayal. Well, although I admired her performance, having watched Shreyas in a similar role, I would say that this actor has clearly outdone Rani. While the actress looked too theatrical and overdoing her bits of sign language, Shreyas puts in such a performance that made me wonder if he really was deaf and mute. Simply amazing. Not only that, his body language, his demeanour, his whole personna seems so very believable. Not even once did I feel that he was acting. And thats what actual talent is about. I sincerely hope that he gets the right roles henceforth, and does great cinema for years to come. Contrast him with the new breed of 'actors' ranging from Mohit Ahlawat (Ram Gopal Verma's find in James), Emran Hasmi (the eternal sex maniac), Zayed Khan (the so called hot rising khan) and a whole bevy of them - and you will see the difference.

Its not only Shreyas who is wonderful, but Nasseruddin Shah is just fabulous in his portrayal of a drunkard. Without disclosing what role he plays in Iqbal reaching his goal, I must say that this is one actor who never ceases to amaze me. He is so believable and so authentic in hos he walks and talks and sleeps and laughs and smiles or shouts that you instantly connect to him onscreen. Simply awesome. And the role does full justice to him as well. Its not a half baked script that he has to abide by. The director has done his homework, and so the actors have a gala time enacting the script out, and the results cleary show for everyone to behold.

Although the film has these two principal characters, the role played by Shweta Prasad (who played a role in Vishal Bharadwaj's 'Makdee' a couple of years back), Iqbal's sister, is not less important or impressive. In some sense, she is the voice of Iqbal. Her unselfish and pure love for his elder brother, her deep concern for him attaining his gaols, her undying faith in her brother and her total understanding for him without ever exchanging a single word with her is just brilliant. She is so infectious and likeable that I doubt anyone who watches the movie would stay unaffected by her charm. She plays a 14-15 year old girl, does so perfectly and arouses such emotions that I would not thin for most 'child-artists' to bring out. I am so glad that her role is written logically, unlike most films where children are either shown be to so dumb (that you wonder 'are there children like that?') or so extra smart for their age (that makes you shudder at the thought of ever having such kids of your own). Amongst other characters, all the rest of the supporting cast has also put in very natural performances.

In terms of art direction, sets and costumes, there is not much to talk about. the film does not boast of grand sets like Devdas or special effects like Dus or weird camera work like most TV soap operas and films these days. It is a simple story, told in a simple manner. The fim is shot in an actual village and stays true to the spirit of the story. Not glamourization and no item songs either. The music of the film is so very appropriate that one has to say - "hats-off". The music will charge you up, and is so in keeping with the theme of the film. Very apt. All ths songs are relegated to the background, and thats a welcome break. Thank god Iqbal does not have a crush on some village belle that he thinks about serenading in Swiss Alps croning a Sonu nigam number!

One would think that a movie on a subject like this would be slow paced and dull, almost gloomy (like Black, Khamoshi, etc). But wonderfully enough, it is just the opposite. It is a joy ride from the start till the very end. The gamut of emotions that you go through do involve some amount of grief for Iqbal, especially when he fails or falters somewhere. But the experience does not end there. It is a very positive, very optimistic and a very jubiliant mood that you leave the theater with. Its the story of victory of the human spirit over fate or destiny which people decide for themselves in most cases. Its the story about not conforming to stereotypes. Its a story about not taking things lying down, not bending your back for the destiny to ride on, but about standing upright and taking all challenges in your won stride. As Paulo Coehlo aptly stated in his book 'The Alchemist' (also quoted in the film'), "If you decide to follow your dreams, the whole world conspires to help to make them come true".

Needless to say, Iqbal was the best film I have seen in a long time. Its a must watch for everyone. Your love for cricket has nothing to do with it. You love cricket or hate cricket - love Hindi movies or hate them - this is one you MUST NOT MISS.