IQBAL is gripping, touches the core of your heart

Rating:- ***

The film tells the tale of Iqbal [Shreyas Talpade], an 18-year-old young boy who’s is a farmer’s son. Although physically handicapped, he’s crazy about Cricket and aspires to join the Indian cricket team some day. Some hope.

Naturally, he encounters obstacles at every step. He has no means to undergo training. But there’s a silver lining: his school-going sister [Shweta Prasad] encourages him to pursue his dream. Subsequently, a village drunkard, Mohit [Naseeruddin Shah] agrees to train him.

But there’s another obstacle in the form of rival coach [Girish Karnad]. But ultimately Iqbal’s dedication removes all the impediments.

Nagesh Kukunoor, the director who hit the international scene with Hyderabad Blues narrates the story in the most realistic fashion. Right from the time Iqbal practises all alone in a field, and the gamut of hardships, frustrations and humiliations he goes through till the finale, the underdog wannabe silences all his detractors and triumphs over every difficulty.

The constant quarrels at home,, the strained relationship between Iqbal and his father, mother and sister, the clandestine training sessions, the dirty politics that the budding cricketer faces and the finale -- these are some of the memorable moments of the film.

Since his Hyderabad Blues days, Nagesh has matured into a fine storyteller and a director who has has extracted superb performances from the entire cast.

Unquestionably, the film belongs to Shreyas Talpade from start to end, giving him ample scope to display histrionics. And the actor hits a boundary this time! Matching him at every step is the supremely talented Shweta Prasad, who made her debut in MAKDEE.

Yateen Karyekar is fantastic as the helpless father, so is Pratiksha Lonkar, as Iqbal's mother. She is natural all the way. Naseer is wonderful, as always, while Karnad, seen after a gap in Hindi films, is truly first-rate in a role with negative shades. Kapil Dev is okay in a brief appearance.

All said and done, IQBAL is a treat for the lovers of cinema far removed from formula stuff.