Last Updated:
Shreyas Talpade says hopes for the film to re-release this year. Nagesh Kukunoor, on the other hand, hints that a re-release may be on the cards to celebrate its 20 years.
Nagesh Kukunoor and Shreyas Talpade’s Iqbal had won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues.
Nagesh Kukunoor’s Iqbal starring Shreyas Talpade released exactly 20 years ago. Made on a small budget, it went on to become a critical and commercial success and was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues. Shreyas’ portrayal of a deaf and mute boy from a remote village who aspires to become a cricketer, remains one of his most noteworthy performances. As Iqbal marks two decades of its release, Nagesh and Shreyas exclusive speak to News18 Showsha, recalling the cult classic.
The director says, “When I look back on Iqbal, 25 years later, it’s a wonderful memory. That’s about it. There’s no arrogance there that I made a film like Iqbal. I wouldn’t use the word ‘legacy’ when I talk about Iqbal because there’s so much hubris attached to it. It was one of the most joyous shoots. It was a fabulous world that I got to create for the first time in my life. So, it will always be special. There’s no doubt about that.”
Naturally, he was overjoyed when it turned out to be a resounding box-office success. “When you make a film, you pour your heart and soul into it. Sometimes, about a month after its release, you realise that it’s an abysmal flop and no one has heard about it. But sometimes, it may also soar into the skies. Iqbal was that film. There’s nothing you can do that can make you say with a definitive yes that a film will work. So, when it worked, I was very happy,” Nagesh adds.
Referring to Iqbal as a ‘life-changing film’, Shreyas tells us, “It’s a cliched thing to say that it feels like yesterday but it genuinely does. But you see, the film still feels so fresh. There are certain films that change everything in your life and Iqbal is one such film. It changed my dreams, aspirations. Thanks to Nagesh, Subhash (Ghai) ji, Rahul Puri and Elahe Hiptoola! They were the main people responsible for making me Iqbal.”
The actor, however, wishes that the film had re-released today to mark its porcelain jubilee. “I’ll have a word with Subhash ji and Rahul today. It’s 20 years and it would’ve been a great occasion to re-release Iqbal now. This film finds resonance even among this generation. You won’t believe what happened yesterday! I picked up my daughter from school and while we were walking towards our car, this little girl, maybe seven or eight-years-old, came to me and told me, ‘Hello uncle, I’ve seen your film Iqbal ten times,’” he exclaims.
Expressing his surprise, Shreyas remarks, “I couldn’t believe it. Her mother then told me that she loved it so much that she actually watched it that many times. You can imagine a child telling you this about a Golmaal or a Housefull [and not Iqbal] but her words were so rewarding and humble.” Nagesh, on the other hand, hints that a re-release may be on the cards. “I’ve heard some talks about let’s see if it happens. Maybe a new generation will see it or maybe they won’t,” he states.
Titas Chowdhury is a Principal Correspondent at News18 Showsha. She writes about cinema, music and gender in cinema. Interviewing actors and filmmakers, writing about latest trends in showbiz and bringing break…Read More
Titas Chowdhury is a Principal Correspondent at News18 Showsha. She writes about cinema, music and gender in cinema. Interviewing actors and filmmakers, writing about latest trends in showbiz and bringing break… Read More
Check latest Bollywood news updates, events and award shows, upcoming hindi movies releases, exclusive interviews, box office collections, reviews, trailers, and more. Download the News18 App.
