Shikar

Wildlife Manager Ajay Singh finds his friend, Naresh is murdered and informs police inspector Rai, but all the evidence is tampered with at the crime scene and as a result the murderer becomes difficult to trace. From here on, Ajay's life takes a new turn in trying to find the culprit who has murdered Naresh. In the process he meets a young woman, Kiran, whom Ajay had seen at the murder spot with the murder weapon. She is the daughter of a respectable person. Next time he sees her at the stage dancing and she has some crucial evidence that might lead Ajay to the culprit who has murdered alcoholic and womanizer Naresh.

An engaging murder mystery from start to end with Dharmendra playing detective as well as romancing Asha Parekh. The mystery of Parekh found near the murder spot is well done, so is the rest with each character being focused on. There aren't many suspects, but it still works in keeping one engrossed. The comedy interlude is kept short, the songs are great, the forest locations are well shot.

Shikaar (Hunt / Victim) is a Dharmendra, Asha Parekh and Sanjeev Kumar starrer murder mystery released in 1968, directed by Atma Ram and produced by Guru Dutt films (four years later than Guru Dutt's death). Quite different from Guru Dutt's famous movies, it is a murder mystery. The fact which makes it different and more interesting as compared with the traditional murder mysteries, is the forest backdrop of the story. The complete drama related to the murder and the investigation takes place in a forest with the abundant beauty of flora and fauna cooling the eyes of the audience.

Dharmendra is an estate manager whose employer-cum-friend, Ramesh Deo is murdered at his residence in the forest estate. The needle of suspicion points at Asha Parekh who is the daughter of a retired police commissioner, Rehman and who had come to Dharmendra's residence in a mentally and physically disturbed condition in the night in which the murder had taken place, only to disappear even more myseriously. Dharmendra alongwith the investigating police officer, Sanjeev Kumar makes attempts to reach the real murderer. Since he falls in love with Asha, her turning out to be the murderer does not suit his sentiments. However he is convinced that she is not the murderer. The activities of an employee in the estate office, Helen and a professional hunter, Manmohan are also suspicious. The twist in the tale comes when an old woman confesses before Sanjeev Kumar for this murder. The mystery is resolved in the ending scene amidst the hair-raising movements of wild animals.

Shikaar is a thoroughly engrossing suspense-thriller. The beginning itself is very good when a man-eater beast is hunted by Dharmendra. Soon thereafter, the murder takes place and then the wildlife environment provides a highly suspenseful backdrop for the murder investigation and activities of the people involved. The narrative moves fast and blocked only by the intermittent songs. However the insertion of the songs does not irritate the viewer because the songs alongwith the dances are just very good and a treat to listen and to watch. There is no boredom in the movie throughout. However the comedy track of Johnny Walker and Bela Bose should have been shortened.

The flip side contains the usual irritating element found by me in most of the bollywood suspense-thrillers, i.e., the untied loose ends and unanswered questions. Being a great mystery fan, I am of the opinion that a good suspense-thriller is one which does not leave any question unanswered in the end and provides a feeling of satisfaction to the logically thinking viewer. In a good mystery, not only all the loose ends are tied in the climax but also the suspicious activities and gestures of the guilty as well as non-guilty are properly justified. Shikaar does pass this test but not with distinction.

The cinematography of V.K. Murthy is outstanding. Any nature-lover will find this movie, full of flora and fauna, nothing short of a visual treat. There are several scenes involving wild animals like elephants, tiger, deers, bear and likewise. The running of the wild elephants in the climax is highly thrilling.

Shankar-Jaikishan duo was in top form while composing the music of Shikaar. They have not only composed melodious songs like Tumhaare Pyar Mein Hum Beqaraar Ho Ke Chale (Rafi) and Mere Sarkar Meri Aahon Ka Asar Dekh To Lo (Mahendra Kapoor) but also pretty good songs for memorable dance numbers like Parde Mein Rehne Do Parda Na Uthao (Asha Bhonsle) and Jabse Laagi Tose Najaria (Lata and Asha together). Choreographer P.L. Raj has done a marvellous job with the great dancers like Helen, Bela Bose and of course, the movie's heroine, Asha Parekh.

I also appreciate the filmmaker for giving the titles of the movie in Hindi as I feel very bad about this fact that the credits of Hindi movies are given in English.

The original He-Man of bollywood, Dharmendra is the perfect choice for the lead role who not only performs quite naturally but also looks utterly reliable in the action scenes involving wild animals. Sanjeev Kumar in the supporting role of the investigating police officer is as natural as rainfall in the month of Saawan. Asha Parekh, though not a great actress, maintains amazing on-screen chemistry with Dharmendra and she looks quite gorgeous in the dance sequences as she was a dancer par excellence. Helen and Bela Bose, being outstanding dancers, have performed well in dance numbers alongwith their acting performance. Johnny Walker, Rehman, Manmonan etc. are also quite okay.

Shikaar is an interesting watch for both, the mystery fans as well as the people fond of watching wild life. I recommend this engrossing mystery having a forest backdrop, to all the suspense-thriller fans with my final rating of 3.5 stars.

A superior class suspense movie. A murder mystery. Everyone played their parts well but Johny Walker is a man to watch out for. Dharmendra looks dashing. Watch this movie to find why he was considered (or say rumored) to be one of the top 10 handsome men in world during his hay days.

Awesome music by Shankar Jaikishan for songs; 1) Parde Mein Rahne Do, 2) Tumhare Pyar Mein Hum, 3) Jabse Laagi To Se Nazariya, 4) Meri Sarkar Meri Aahon Ka and few more.

The movie had won 4 Filmfare Awards in 1969; Best Supporting Actor (Sanjeev Kumar), Best Playback Singer Female (Asha Bhosale for Paede Mein Rahne Do), Best Comedian (Johny Walker) and Best Sound Recording (P.Thackersey)

Handsome Dharmendra and a young Asha parekh assisted by Johnny walker find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery in Jungle/ estate where there a no of red herrings thrown for you to chew on..

The songs are quite good but are quite too many for a thriller, but in 70' who was complaining?

Sanjeev Kumar plays a Police inspector in charge of this case quite ably where he is baffled by an unusually nosy ex-Police Commissioner played by Rehman.

Helen plays the coquettish moll very well and looks really seductive in some scenes..

On the flip side, They shoot a tiger and dance around its carcass. whoever had heard of animal rights and anti-hunting laws then? Johnny walker's too many 'average' comedy tracks here eat up screen time!

All in all, a paisa vasool thriller...a 7/10.