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IQBAL   -THE ALCHEMIST

“When you really want something, the whole Universe conspires to help you achieve it”…..quoted in Hindi by Naseeruddin Shah in the movie “Iqbal” and also narrated in the book “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.

The movie brings out beautiful techniques of achieving dreams.

Iqbal (Shreyas Talpade) goes into his personal sanctuary with the sports magazine. He closes his eyes and feels the applause using all his senses. Isn’t this “Creative Visualization”?

Iqbal is never a loser. He gets the best out of every failure. He is refused coaching by Girish Karnad (cricket guru). But Iqbal’s desire to get coached allows him to notice the burning picture of Mohit (Naseeruddin Shah). An omen which otherwise would have gone unnoticed. He not only makes Naseeruddin his coach, but also transforms the life of Naseeruddin by burning the light of cricket (his old passion) into his life. The movie portrays how the loss of passion in life can ruin life.

Iqbal’s passion for cricket is portrayed in a beautiful and subtle manner. He is very calm and serene and there is no arrogance in him, either for his passion or about his achievement. Love in the heart and simplicity makes a person modest. He is a happy person, despite all odds in life. Does happiness depend on anything? 

Most pleasant part of the movie is the normal Iqbal, who is disabled yet draws no sympathy for himself.

The relationship with his sister is extremely beautiful and so is the sister, Khadija     (Shweta Prasad).  There is no sibling rivalry. His sister is so eager to walk behind the dreams of her brother. It would definitely encourage today’s kids in nurturing relations with their siblings. It is not just companionship that they must share, but growth through each other is the need of today’s nuclear families.

Each person is born with a purpose”, a very important message quoted by Naseeruddin in today’s world where humans have become machines for minting money.

Iqbal, his mother and sister never felt anger towards Anwar (his father) despite his staunch opposition for cricket. They do conceal from him, but they respect his feelings and thoughts. Shouldn’t every parent be perceived from such an angle?

Most important part of the movie is “think with your heart and listen to the brain”!!  It is important for humans to integrate thoughts, feelings and action. It can just happen while playing a game. This is called “valid action”. This phenomenon is called “entering the zone”. This happens spontaneously, it cannot be planned. The moment one plans the next move, there is separation of thought and feeling, and at this moment the other player can read the mind. The best moves are made when there is integration in all these three aspects of a human. This is nothing but meditation! Only such spontaneous actions can transform any metal to gold - that is “THE ALCHEMIST”. ………………………. May 2005.

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