Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar

"The victory of the underdog" theme makes for great entertainment. The story takes place in a hill-station, which is a centre of many boarding schools. And all the schools have their share of financially rich students.....except Model School, where all the relatively poorer students go to. And among big schools like Rajput, Xavier's, Lawrence and Queens....Model High is a misfit. So, the students studying there are ever-ridiculed, and labeled as no-hopers. But there's one student who can win laurels for his school.....the honest, hard-working Ratan who's the "gem of Model High School". Ratan's family includes his father and brother Sanjay who also studies in the same school (but is diametrically opposite to his brother). Sanjay is least interested in anything else apart from whiling his time away and having fun with his group of "pyjamachaap" friends. Cut to the main plot.....there's an annual inter-school bicycle race, which is always won by the Rajput College brat Deepak Tijori. He and his friends are the greatest bullies around. But Ratan is determined to win this race this time......but courtesy a fight with Deepak Tijori and gang, he falls from a cliff and is badly injured. Model High's only hope.....Ratan cannot participate in the race now, and the school has to be content with its usual "pyjamachaap" image. Not quite!!! Ratan's good-for-nothing brother Sanju takes up the challenge on behalf of his brother, and despite no one giving much of a chance in the race......no prizes for guessing who turns out the winner in the end!

What really makes Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar compelling viewing is director Mansoor Khan's simple yet excellent narrative. Most of the characters are pretty etched out as well. Some great relationships are portrayed in the movie.....that of Sanju and his father (played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda). The coldness between the two of them is brought out in the movie pretty well. Secondly, between Sanju and his best friend Anjali who turns out to be his love eventually. Sanju never sees the love Anjali has for him, until she's the only support he has when he's alone in life. Thirdly, between the two brothers Ratan and Sanju.....who are as dissimilar to each other as one can think of......but are still so close to each other. One of the best sibling relationships portrayed in a Hindi movie....far different from the overly melodramatic brotherly love that one is used to seeing. And of course, none of this would have been possible without the actors.......so there's Deepak Tijori who truly irritates you with his brattish attitude, the hot (but not very emotive) Pooja Bedi as Devika, Kulbhushan Kharbanda as the father who admires his elder son and is frustrated and aloof with his younger son (but loves him nevertheless), Ayesha Jhulka (in her only memorable role) as Anjali who has always loved Sanju but does not get the reciprocation from him, Mamik as the sincere Ratan.......and of course, Aamir Khan who's the soul of the movie. As usual, the actor gives a marvelous performance as Sanju. Three cheers for this actor who's defied his chocolate-boy looks to emerge as the most-varied actor of his time. Oh, I almost forgot to mention the melodious music......almost all songs are great to hear, with "Pehla Nasha" being the highlight.

All, in all.......the movie does inspire you, and after you've seen it....you do feel like doing something similar for your own school/college as well.

I watched this movie because a friend of mine dragged me to the theater, to test if I could avoid feeling myself involved with a bicycle race that was a major part of the movie. (Now, speaking of that incident after a decade, I should perhaps replace the "watched" with "had watched", or rather, "had first watched", because later I watched this movie a few more times.)

This is a very cute (I could not find another equally suitable adjective) movie that realistically depicts the life of small-town kids who belong to homes with limited means. It's a story of their pretensions and frustrations, their wish to be part of the richer folk, that of affectionate families, and of budding puppy-love. Due to very good performance by every artiste, this movie -- with a quite simple storyline -- is capable of making everyone feel part of the movie.

While watching it, one is bound to get unintentionally involved with the bike race in the movie. Every heart feels warmth for Ayesha Jhulka, and everyone gets angry at Amir Khan for ignoring Ayesha's innocent and true affection. The impact of this movie could be overwhelming if one is in one's late teen or early youth.

The music score was good, though I now know that the famous "Pehla Nasha" was lifted (I fail to recollect which was the original tune!).

It's a very enjoyable movie, and I can not think of a reason as to why anyone should dislike it!

Note: Now I found a reason why someone may dislike it: its story is taken from "Breaking Away".

Long Review:

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (JJWS) is a heart-warming story of a young man, Sanju, his buddies and his family consisting of his father (Ramlal) and an older brother(Ratan). The story is set in a hill station where the richest families send they're kids to school. Apart from top notch schools, there are also a few local ones like Model in which Ramlal is a coach and Ratan, Sanju and their friends attend.

The biggest thing for the people here is the interschool sports competition held every year. Ever since his one cycling victory against the Rival school Rajput, Ramlal has been obsessed with Model beating them, through his obedient older son Ratan. Ratan is Model's model student, in studies, sports and character and the pride of his father. Sanju on the other hand is a happy-go-lucky bloke who loves hanging with friends and having fun in life even if it causes him to fail classes and disappoint his father.

Sanju's friends consist of two good-hearted but not so bright boys and a tomboyish girl, Anjali who is also secretly in love with Sanju. A fact that Sanju is unaware of. When an sudden tragedy occurs, Sanju is transformed from a guy with not a care in the world to a responsible friend, brother, son and athlete.

The stage is now set for a tale of friendship, love, family, sports and competition told beautifully by Mansoor Khan. The music is light and sweet especially Pehla Nasha (amazing job by Udit Narayan) and the title song which is uplifting.

All the performances are in top form. Aamir Khan is as adorable as ever as Sanju. You can't help but love him in this sweet role. Ayesha Jhulka is also very good as the loyal friend. Deepak Tijori is also quite despicable as the bad guy. The rest of the cast is also very competent and fit their roles well. Special mention should go to Mamik who plays Ratan. He put in a very sincere performance. It is too bad he wasn't seen too much after JJWS.

Overall the movie was excellent. Amazing story, great performances and sweet music. Definately recommend it to everyone, young and old alike will enjoy this movie thoroughly.

I was 12 when i first saw this movie...but till today i still feel the energy of the last race.. I remember taking my cycle out for long rides, putting weights in my socks and going for long rides on my cycles.

The innocent love story, the bonding between friends, the equation sanju shares with his brother and dad. All so perfectly directed and shared on screen.

The background score and music for the movie was truly much ahead of its time. My mom says, People used to jump of there seats in the last scenes.

A must watch for all. Best Sports movie ever.

The movie is a must see. It really came as something different from all those old masala movies. And as always ... Aamir Khan is perfect. So don't miss that.