Nagesh Kukunoor’s 2005 sports drama film ‘Iqbal’, starring Shreyas Talpade, Naseeruddin Shah and Shweta Basu Prasad, has completed 20 years today. The film released in theatres on 26 August 2005, clashing at the box office with Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor and Fardeen Khan starrer ‘No Entry’. Iqbal went on to become a critical and commercial success. Now, as the film clocked 20 years, Shreyas Talpade celebrated the milestone, thanking the film’s team. Meanwhile, Shweta Basu Prasad recalled the film’s underdog journey 20 years ago, celebrating how Iqbal won over audiences despite tough box office competition with No Entry. Shweta Basu Prasad Recalls Iqbal’s Box Office Clash With No Entry Shweta Basu Prasad took to her Instagram stories and wrote, “Iqbal released 20 years ago on this day. One other film released that day – No Entry – it starred Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Bipasha Basu and had many hit songs. Even as a 14 year old, understood that Iqbal was competing with a “big” film at the box office. We had smaller posters, fewer screens. And then…. Audience loved our film. Iqbal stayed in cinemas for 50 days, became tax free and won many awards that season. Good stories will always stay, always thrive. Thank you, audience.” In her Instagram post, she added, “20 YEARS OF IQBAL !!..Thank you everyone for all the love for Iqbal, for all these years :).” Shweta Basu Prasad’s Instagram story View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shweta Basu Prasad (@shwetabasuprasad11) Shreyas Talpade Celebrates 20 Years Of Iqbal Meanwhile, Shreyas Talpade wrote, “This is where it all began! Thank you for being the biggest support in my career and making an impact in my life,” while sharing stills from the film. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shreyas Talpade (@shreyastalpade27) In a conversation with News18 Showsha, he recalled, “I received a phone call from my friend to go and meet Mr Kukunoor for another film where I was to play a smaller role. I was desperate to do films at that time and I was ready to even stand in a scene or say one dialogue. I met him and things completely changed.” “Subhash (Ghai; producer) ji had hosted so many previews that we kept wondering ki kaun aayega release ke din kyunki bahot saare logon ne film already previews mein dekh liye. He had invited the entire industry. He was so proud of the film. It released alongside No Entry. It was a big film with a big star cast. I kept wondering, who will even watch our film,” Shreyas said. He then revealed that those who couldn’t watch No Entry due to housefull shows ended up watching Iqbal. “They were referring to our film as Naseeruddin Shah aur Girish Karnad ki picture. When they came out, they had a very different emotion. The word-of-mouth spread so fast. And what followed was frenzy! There were shows kept for schools and colleges. There were lectures on Iqbal in management schools. Everything felt so surreal,” shared the actor. About Iqbal Iqbal tells the inspiring story of a deaf and mute boy (played by Shreyas Talpade) from a rural Indian village who, despite numerous challenges, pursues his passion for cricket and dreams of representing the Indian national team. Shweta Basu Prasad plays Iqbal’s supportive sister, Khadija, in the film.