It was the turning point of my career: Shreyas marks 20 years of Iqbal

It's been two decades since the story of a deaf and mute boy who dreams of donning the blue jersey for Team India hit the screens. Iqbal (2005), the underdog story by filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor, changed the landscape for both Bollywood sports films and then-debutant Shreyas Talpade.

- Vishakha Pandit

“It was the turning point of my career. Now that the film has completed 20 years, it feels unreal,” the 49-year-old tells us. He was juggling theatre and television when he had auditioned for the film, but had no idea that it was for the lead. “I thought it was for a small role. Once I was on board, I couldn't believe it! And my only thought was: this is my one opportunity, and I cannot let it go,” he recalls.