Noted film-maker Subhash Ghai today expressed happiness that his gamble in producing and marketing Nagesh Kuknoor's acclaimed film ''Iqbal'' has paid handsome dividends.

Speaking at the launch of DVDs of the film by Ultra Distributors and Mukta Arts, Mr Ghai said promoting high-concept and low-budget films like ''Iqbal'' is always a risk.

My films like ''Saudagar'', ''Ram Lakhan'' and others have done extremely well at the box office, but the success of ''Iqbal'' has brought me much more happiness, he said.

Mr Ghai admitted that he had got credit for the success of the film much more than he deserved. ''After the film was made, no exhibitor, distributor was ready to touch the film as they thought it was an art movie and the price was too high. Marketing the film was a difficult proposition. We decided to release the movie with our own money. Our faith in the film allowed us to take the risk,'' he said.

''First, we screened the movie at various trial shows and released it in metros and it was from here, the film took off,'' he said.

Ultra has accquired the rights to distribute ''Iqbal'' VCDs and DVDs in the domestic and international markets, and part of the sales proceeds of the DVDs would go to CRY.

Speaking on the occasion, Ultra Group managing director Sushilkumar Agrawal said ''Iqbal'' was a remarkable story. The film was about a child's ambition, dream and his effort to achieve his goal for a better future. ''As CRY has a similar mission, it gives us a sense of sharing to be able to associate with them and aid their noble cause,'' he added.

CRY resource mobilisation deputy general manager Irwin Fernandes said part of the proceeds from the sale of DVDs and VCDs will go towards projects supported by CRY.

''Iqbal'' was released on August 26, 2005, and was acclaimed by the film industry and critics alike. The film's actors Shreyas Talpade, Shweta Prasad, Yatin Karyekar and Pratiksha Lonkar, and executive producer Elahi Heptullah were present on the occasion.