Iqbal (film)

Iqbal (Hindi: इक़्बाल) is a 2005 Indian sports drama film written by Vipul K Rawal; directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, and was produced by Subhash Ghai, under "Mukta Searchlight Films". The story follows a cricket-obsessed boy from a remote Indian village as he aims to overcome his difficulties and become a cricketer and fulfil his dream of playing for the Indian national cricket team. The film received the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues.

Plot synopsis

Written by Vipul K Rawal, and directed by Nagesh Kukunoor Iqbal tells the story of Iqbal (Shreyas Talpade), a deaf and mute boy, who dreams of playing cricket for India. However, he is discouraged by his father who thinks that Iqbal's daydreams are a waste of time. Instead, he wants Iqbal to help him tend to the crops and become a farmer like him, which would be a stable profession.

Iqbal's sister, Khadija (Shweta Prasad), however, helps him try out for a nearby academy run by Guruji (Girish Karnad), an influential former India captain, who accepts him for his talent. However, when Iqbal competes with a rich boy, Kamal, who is also the star of the academy, he is thrown out by Guruji out of fear of Kamal's father, who bankrolls the academy. Iqbal seeks help from the local drunkard, Mohit (Naseeruddin Shah), who was once a great cricketer and persuades him to be his coach. They are able to train in a nearby field, using Iqbal's buffaloes (named after actual members of the Indian cricket team) as fielders.