After years of struggle and some noteworthy work on the small screen, Shreyas Talpade finally embarked on his Bollywood journey with Nagesh Kukunoor's award-winning film, 'Iqbal', where he played the role of a deaf-and-mute aspiring cricketer. He bowled the masses over with his performance and went on to take on more remarkable roles in films like 'Om Shanti Om'', 'Golmaal', 'Welcome To Sajjanpur', among others. Today, as Shreyas's debut film 'Iqbal' turns 16, he walks down memory lane to shares how the film and the director helped him kickstart his Bollywood career. Excerpts:
"It all started with Iqbal'; wherever I am today, it is all because of the film. Even after 16 years, the film is so fresh in everybody's mind. I am known for 'Iqbal' and I am known as 'Iqbal'; it has given me so much in life. I had never imagined being the hero of a Bollywood blockbuster," gushes Shreyas.
The film, which also featured Naseeruddin Shah, the late Girish Karnad, and Shweta Prasad Basu in pivotal roles, received a lot of accolades. Shreyas is thankful to the entire team who made the film what it is. "I cannot thank Nagesh (Kukunoor), Subhash (Ghai) ji, and others who were associated with the film enough for giving me the opportunity to portray Iqbal in my career. So, I am very, very happy that God has been kind. I have my own struggles and hardships, but, at the same time, there are many others who do the same thing but don't get so much. I consider myself extremely fortunate and blessed for doing something like 'Iqbal' in Bollywood".
Shreyas is also grateful to Nagesh for helping him shape his Bollywood career. "Nagesh had a huge role to play--not just in 'Iqbal' but in shaping my performances, and my acting post 'Iqbal'. He was so specific and particular with his instructions during the film that I remember I had to unlearn to learn a lot of things. I have learned some good things from him which have helped me along the way. Today, when people praise my performances, terming them to be natural and subtle, Nagesh deserves praise too because he expects that kind of performance from his actors. I can never thank him enough for what he has done for my career," signs off an emotional Shreyas.
