WAY TO TEACH: Naseeruddin Shah and Shreyas Talpade in `Iqbal'

VISAKHAPATNAM: With none of the city film distributors willing to take up screening of director Nagesh Kuknoor's magnum opus, `Iqbal', philanthropist Vijay Kumar, the proprietor of Vijay Nirman Constructions, has come forward to shoulder the responsibility.

Thanks to him, the Hindi film, produced by Subhash Ghai and acclaimed by critics, including top-notch cricketers, as "a fairy tale come true", will be screened in Melody theatre from November 25 for four weeks.

What has impelled Mr. Vijay Kumar to tread on the path deserted by seasoned distributors?

"I was deeply impacted by the film after viewing it in Hyderabad, and I felt that I should get it screened in Vizag. The film rightly emphasises that will power is stronger than anything else. Our youngsters are sure to imbibe the spirit of positivism so nicely exuded by Iqbal (played by Shreyas Talpade),'' he told The Hindu on Tuesday.

The film's storyline highlights the zest of a dumb and deaf lad to get into the national cricket team, and the way he achieves it against heavy odds. As Test cricket legend Kapil Dev puts it, "It's a film for every family and every youngster who wants to be an achiever. It is also the best movie with cricket as backdrop."

Besides Shreyas, the cast includes Nasiruddin Shah, Girish Karnad, Shweta and Yatin Karyekar.

With a view to encouraging the youth and children to get inspired by Iqbal, Mr. Vijay Kumar is offering discounts in the theatre tariff. He is also sending posters to the schools and colleges to draw the youth's attention to the film.

Four shows

There will be four shows of the film daily at 11.05 a.m., 2.30 p.m., 6.15 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. Advance booking can be done at the theatre from November 24 onwards from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m..

For block bookings of 12 tickets and above, interested institutions and individuals can dial 98668-08699 between 12.30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

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