Iqbal

With the exception of 2001’s Oscar-nominated ‘Lagaan’, not many Bollywood movies have featured cricket, which is odd considering how cricket-mad most Indians are. This film redresses the balance. Iqbal (Shreyas Talpade), who is deaf and dumb, is obsessed with the game and wants to ameliorate his routine rural life by becoming the next Kapil Dev. Trained by alcoholic former star player Mohit (Naseeruddin Shah) and with the eventual support of his entire family, Iqbal embarks on the game of his life…

Kukunoor’s fifth film tells a familiar tale of a youngster overcoming his humble origins to follow his dreams – a sort of ‘Billy Elliot’ with balls. And despite a few flaws – the father’s hostility to cricket is not entirely convincing and a scheming selector’s character borders on the stereotypical Bolly-baddie – Kukunoor has delivered a charming feelgood film. This is largely down to his charismatic cast, who win us over with their intense, poignant performances. The result is often superbly entertaining.