Sikandar ka Muqaddar

You see the trailer and see Neeraj Pandey's name. The memories hit back!

Baby

Special 26

"This one must be a worthy movie," you tell yourself.

The movie starts off slow, you constantly keep waiting for something to happen, something to reveal itself but nothing happens. "Did I miss anything?"

The narrative keeps juggling between the past and the present, and there are nice intersections that keep you hooked throughout. Neeraj Pandey makes sure you feel bored initially and then when the story starts weaving itself, you get a few Eureka moments.

The set design in the past narrative could have used better art direction, hair and make up. I'm sorry but they looked all out of place. Looked like the production budget was tight.

It's not a typical "whodunit" since three suspects are readily singled out an they are the actors you see on the poster, so it all comes down to how did they do it? Even though from a cinematic point of view, some of the twists were good, realistically they seemed out of place.

"No one has so much patience" is what will you think.

Story - 7/10

Cast - 6/10

Direction - 8/10

"The End" title card comes during the climax, and the movie still continues from there for another 30 minutes. I liked that bit because I would have hated the movie if that actually happened.

The storyline could have been a bit tighter, there were a few unnecessary scenes but overall it was a good watch.

PS: The end is open ended but it feels justified.

What's the point of making a thriller if you're not going to give it a conclusion? Seriously, Bollywood, what's happening? This is becoming a norm now-movies that hook you in with suspense, build tension for two long hours, and then just leave you hanging.

This latest so-called "thriller" follows the same pattern. You sit there, completely invested, eager to see how the story unfolds. But when the final ten minutes roll around, guess what? There is NO proper ending!

Sure, I'll give credit where it's due-Jimmy Shergill. He's the only saving grace of this film. His performance is as solid as always, and you can tell he's doing his best with what he's given. But even his makeup felt cheap (in first half) which is honestly insulting for an actor of his caliber.

Bollywood needs to stop this trend of ambiguous endings masquerading as "intellectual filmmaking." It's not clever. When people spend their time and money on a movie, they deserve a satisfying payoff-not vague nonsense that feels like a slap in the face.

I'm reluctantly giving this film 4 stars solely for Jimmy Shergill. Otherwise, it's a waste of time. Stop with the half-baked stories, Bollywood. Give us proper endings.

Good, Open ended, Intriguing Movie. But, more was expected from Neeraj Pandey.. A Wednesday (2008) was Classic.

Yes, It keeps you guessing till end, Who is the main villain? How the heist has happened?

The film explores themes of ambition, morality, and the struggle for power within the backdrop of a rapidly changing society.

The film centers around the life of Sikandar, a young man from humble beginnings, whose aspirations drive him to navigate the complexities of life in pursuit of success.

From the outset, Sikandar is portrayed as a determined individual, eager to rise above his circumstances. His character embodies the struggles and dreams of many who aspire for a better life. The narrative delves into his relationships with family, friends, and adversaries, showcasing how these connections influence his journey. Each character plays a pivotal role in shaping Sikandar's decisions and the moral dilemmas he faces along the way.

As Sikandar's ambition grows, he encounters a series of challenges that test his values. The film intricately weaves a tale of ambition against the backdrop of ethical considerations, prompting viewers to reflect on the cost of success. Sikandar's pursuit of his dreams often leads him into morally ambiguous situations, forcing him to confront the consequences of his choices. This internal conflict is a central theme, highlighting the tension between personal ambition and ethical integrity.

Neeraj Pandey's direction is marked by a strong narrative and character development. The film captures the nuances of human emotions, portraying the highs and lows of Sikandar's journey with authenticity. The cinematography enhances the storytelling, with visually striking scenes that resonate with the protagonist's internal struggles. The pacing of the film keeps the audience engaged, building suspense as Sikandar navigates through various challenges.

The supporting cast adds depth to the narrative, with each character bringing their own motivations and conflicts to the story. The interactions between Sikandar and these characters create a rich tapestry of relationships that reflect the complexities of life. The film does an excellent job of illustrating how ambition can both unite and divide individuals, showcasing the multifaceted nature of human connections.

The soundtrack complements the emotional landscape of the film, elevating key moments and enhancing the overall viewing experience. The music resonates with the themes of the story, drawing viewers deeper into Sikandar's world and the emotional stakes involved in his journey.

As the film unfolds, viewers are invited to consider the broader implications of Sikandar's choices. The narrative encourages reflection on what it truly means to succeed and the impact of one's actions on the community. The film's conclusion leaves audiences with thought-provoking questions about ambition, integrity, and the sacrifices one must make in the pursuit of their dreams.

Baby, Special 26 (2013) of Neeraj Pandey was also Good.

Strong Movie. Can be watched with Family.

Heist Movie.

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar (2024) : Movie Review -

Amitabh Bachchan starred in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), which justified its title with the main character rising from zero to the top and then becoming a king-size hero. Reversing the theme, Neeraj Pandey brings Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, as the hero's fate is misjudged by the circumstances, but is that the truth? No, there is a lot more in the store, so prepare yourself for a typical Neeraj Pandey thriller. Enough praise; now I asked myself, "Does this film make any sense?" The answer is no. This has to be the most rubbish thriller ever written and directed by Pandey. It's hard to believe that the filmmaker, who once delivered 3 consecutive classic thrillers in a row (unheard of stuff by any director in Bollywood) with "A Wednesday," "Special 26," and "Baby," is now struggling to make a decent-average flick. It's high time he wakes up and gets back to old form.

Officer Jaswinder Singh (Jimmy Sheirgill) has a 100% track record, so he is appointed to high priority to solve a robbery case at NISCO where 5 diamonds worth Rs. 50-60 crores have been stolen. During the investigation, his basic instinct says that one of the three from Sikandar (Avinash Tiwary), Kamini (Tamannaah Bhatia), and Mangesh (Rajiv Mehta), or maybe all 3, has stolen it. He takes them into custody, tortures them, but is unable to get any info out of them. The three are harassed by Jaswinder, especially Sikandar, because of Jassi's egoistic instinct, and the poor Sikandar has to pay a high price for it at every phase of his life. Who's the real culprit, and will Jaswinder be able to find him/her?

Neeraj has actually written a good script that keeps you hooked for two hours or so, but it's the next 30 minutes that destroy this well-made thriller because of its brainless conclusion. There is no real motive shown behind the robbery, no real planning of aftermaths, and no precautions taken either. That's silly, man. Someone hides a small diamond in a nail, and they are telling me that the cops didn't find it when we all know that a body detector can trace it so easily. Someone breaks the glass bracket and steals diamonds, and the cops didn't bother checking the rod by which it was broken and checking fingerprints to catch the thief? I mean, it's so basic to get a heist thriller right, but even a genius like Pandey didn't think of this? Totally unacceptable. By the way, who waits for 15 years and destroys its own life for diamonds that can't be used or destroys personal life and career to find a thief? All these theories are extremely annoying and super childish. I didn't expect a good-looking thriller to collapse like this with such rubbish ideas at the end. Not by Neeraj Pandey, but maybe that's the phase he's going through currently and it seems that it's affecting his work too.

Performance-wise, Avinash Tiwary is pretty impressive. His expressions during those begging-for-life scenes are damn good. He doesn't go well with romance and regular drama portions, though. Tamannaah Bhatia looks gorgeous as always and also fails with voice modulation as always. Rajiv Mehta does well with his small part with utmost conviction. Jimmy Sheirgill fans are in for a treat again. This man is so good at everything he does! His versatility always keeps him ahead of contemporaries. Jaswinder's character has two different phases, and he performs both parts so well. Ridhima Pandit has a two-minute role and passes the time without any flaws. The supporting cast, especially the man who played Ghorpade and Jaswinder's assistant have done a fantastic job.

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar has a romantic song that feels completely useless as per the ongoing tempo of the film. It appears right after a dramatic sequence and spoils the tuning of the linear impact and pace of the film. The screenplay keeps things pacy, thankfully, and the background score was fine too. The camera work wasn't really great, but strictly okay, as we have several slow scenes and pauses just to complete a walk or one activity of the character. That takes too much time and gives you a moment to unlock your phone and check some stuff on internet. A thriller that doesn't give you this chance is what I call a brilliant thrilling affair. After finishing Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, you take a moment to rewind the story and realise that it was a pointless film. Not because of the bleak ending, but because it lacks the base on which the tower is standing. Neeraj Pandey's direction has a few ignorable flaws and that's fine, but as a storyteller and writer, he fails completely. That's so unfortunate. In short, Sikandar Ka Muqaddar runs like a winning horse for hours, only to break its leg a few meters behind the finishing line.

RATING - 4/10*

A solid trailer and a good cast are always alluring factors when narrowing down a movie to watch, and this one promised just that-only to disappoint in the end.

The lives of three suspects in a diamond robbery turn miserable when a police officer becomes obsessed with proving them guilty, relying solely on his hunch, without any concrete evidence.

The story's premise had the potential to make it a riveting watch, but the lackluster script turned it into a half-baked recipe. The movie begins on a promising note, drawing you into its narrative, but as it progresses, it becomes repetitive and uninspired. The so-called "big twist" at the end is predictable right from the beginning, making you regret the time spent watching it.

Avinash Tiwary shows promise and delivers an earnest performance. He is undoubtedly versatile and proves his acting capabilities once again. Jimmy Shergill does a decent job as the police officer. Tamannaah Bhatia is adequate in her role, though the script gives her little room to shine. Rajeev Mehta, fondly remembered as Praful from Khichdi, plays his part well.

The movie feels considerably slow, with no real highs or lows to maintain engagement. It suffers from several glaring cinematic liberties that are hard to ignore, especially since it is not a mindless entertainer. The de-aging of Jimmy Shergill, in particular, is poorly executed and feels amateurish. Neeraj Pandey, once known for his brilliance, disappoints yet again, further diminishing his magic.

Sikandar's Muqaddar is sealed for disappointment. It's an easily skippable, below-average affair.

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