Written By: Goher Iqbal Punn
Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Producer: Mukta Arts Ltd.
Director: Nagesh Kukunoor
Cast: Shreyas Talpade, Shweta Prasad, Girish Karnad, Kittu Gidwani, Naseeruddin Shah and Kapil Dev
Music: Sukhwinder Singh

Showman Subhash Ghai's innovative Iqbal is seemingly and undoubtedly the first of its kind in the history of Hindi cinema. The film has been making rounds in news and creating much hype amongst the film fraternity, media and the cinegoers alike since the very outset Ghai announced it. Directed and written by Nagesh Kukunoor, Iqbal is slated for 26th August release. An utter family entertainer without the ongoing trend of skin-show (which the filmmakers consider the tried and tested formula to run their films in the circuits to get huge audiences), Iqbal treads with an altogether touching story of a passionate guy whose one and only aim is to become a cricketer and has his place in the national team. Showman, who is a man of remarkable brain, always gives his audience something different and comes up with a unique upshot every time on screen. Most of the time, this adroit legend succeeds in his efforts but it is very rare that failure comes his way. The fact remains that whenever his movies fail to register impacts on the viewers, it is due to other departments of the enterprise. He nonetheless thrived with direction, story or whatever he was associated with. This shows the creativity and the genius of a man who is rich in experience and has given above 26 precious years of his life to the Indian celluloid. His contribution is mammoth and unmatchable.

The legendary king of the parallel cinema and the most coveted name of Hindi filmdom, Naseeruddin Shah is playing the pivotal character in this sensitive-emotional saga of Mukta Arts. Alongside him, Girish Karnard, Shweta Prasad, Yatin Karyekar and Prateeksha Londkar enact their parts. Shreyas Talpade is the leading protagonist of this outstandingly made fête of Subhash Ghai.  Iqbal is based on ambition, aspiration and achievements of young guy.

Iqbal (Shreyas Talpade) is an 18 year old village boy whose 'religion' is cricket. He eats, drinks, sleeps and dreams of cricket. Cricket is what he is swathed with. His physical disability and the lack of resources do not shilly-shally him to go further to achieve success. His mother and sister always support him to accomplish his reverie. He loves to don that blue uniform awarded to the national cricket team. His father is very much against this game of cricket since he believes that it is a total waste of time. He finds a man who can help him out and play a lucrative part in pulling of his ultimate goal of life and he is Mohit (Naseeruddin Shah), a one-time cricketer, now a village drunkard. Mohit initially refuses to coach the fervent guy but finally capitulates to Iqbal's persuasion. Following next is an earth-shattering journey of bravery, pride and human achievement, as both Iqbal and Mohit begin to move on a dream chase.

Mukta Arts launched its new production company 'Mukta Searchlights Films' in July 2005 to promote multiplex cinemas and give the new upcoming filmmakers a platform to showcase their talents. Iqbal will be released under this new banner of colossal house of Mukta Arts. The rapid-fire vocalist turned musician Sukhwinder Singh and the musicians who enticed the music aficionados in recently released Karan Johar's Kaal, Salim-Sulaiman stockpile the tunes for the album. Sundeep Chatterjee is the cinematographer whereas Sunil Babu is the art director of this flick. Namita Chopra records the sounds.

The movie will hit the screens all over on August 26th.

Iqbal - Movie Stills

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