User reviews

I was really looking forward to this film, knowing that Neeraj Pandey had written the story, the screenplay and directed it.

While professionals like Neeraj Pandey achieve the ordinary effortlessly, just like that, anything short of extraordinary disappoints their fans as they have fallen short of their own standards!

While for most filmmakers, this film could even pass as a brilliant attempt, for someone of the class of Neeraj Pandey, it falls really short of the bar...and yet it is not a bad film at all!

The story builds up nicely and continues to intrigue the audience, until there appear a couple of meaningless twists! For example, the twist in the Kamini Singh tale or the need for the character Tabassum is completely lost on me! I am certain that the narrative would have held together and probably appeared even more coherent without those additions.

The performances are very good. Jimmy Shergill & Tamannaah Bhatia live up to the expectations from them as actors and the relatively less known (to me), Avinash Tiwary, has certainly impressed. The other characters play their part very well...although I thought that an actor of the calibre of Divya Dutta could have had a more substantial role.

The de-aging of Shergill is not brilliant and the "no aging" of Avinash Tiwary and Tamannaah after 15 years is a rare miss for someone of Neeraj Pandey's class. But then, no one is infallible!

By all ordinary standards, the film is definitely watchable...at least a one-time watch.

Request to Mr. Pandey: Storytellers like you keep some of us still interested in cinema. We expect you to beat your own high standards every time. Please give us the pleasure of watching that happen over and over again.

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.

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.

The IMDB rating might be lower than I expected, but the movie certainly deserves a bit more than a 6. It's definitely underrated in that regard.

Yes, there's always that one "smarty pants" who claims to have guessed the thief's identity, but such predictions are bound to happen. The real charm lies in how the story unfolds, making it worth the watch.

The movie may not offer anything extraordinarily unique, but it provides solid entertainment without unnecessary songs or excessive dragging of the plot.

Jimmy Shergill showcases his years of experience with a commendable performance. Tamannaah Bhatia, though good, left me wanting more due to her limited screen time.

Avinash Tiwary delivers a decent performance, though there's room for improvement in a few areas.

All in all, give it a watch, it's not as bad as some reviews here suggest.

Avinash Tiwary's acting can't save a horrendous script. The movie is being marketed as a diamond heist, but that is the last thing it focuses on. Seriously, the diamonds are mentioned for maybe 20 minutes in the whole film.

1. There is a sequence between Jimmy Shergill and his wife, where Shergill looks directly at the camera multiple times! Looks like his hiatus has left his acting skills with a much-needed honing.

2. Looks like Rajeev mehta never came out of his Praful.

3. Avinash Tiwary and Tammanaah are good, but wasted on this abomination.

The film is BAD! Save your time, watch something else.

The film has an excellent story ,but the second half may feel dragging to some...There are some wonderfully crafted scenes and the first half is fully gripping...the film has really nice cinematography and tries to not take the masala route...the music was excellent although a romantic song felt out of place...The performances by Avinash and Jimmy were phenomenal, and actually make the film much better than it actually is...Tamannaah was a true star in this film and gives a heavy hitting performance with very emotional scenes. If only her amazing performances received the same popularity as her dance numbers..Overall a very fun watch, if your expectations aren't sky highland if you don't mind a rather different take on a heist investigation.

Neeraj Pandey doing things his way. This man knows how to craft good mystery thrillers. He knows how to play long con with the audience. Strong writing, appropriate casting and beautiful screenplay; this man knows how to engage audience. After A Wednesday, Special 26 and Special Ops, this man is on roll once again. Some strong performances by the actors too. Jimmy, Avinash and Tamannaah, all doing justice to their characters. Great thriller for cinephiles and it makes you guessing till the very end. After a series of great thrillers from South Indian industry, finally something good came out of bollywood...!!!

Entire plot is illogic..and 15 yrs for chasing...what a logic by neeraj Pandey...Hero character shows no logic and sense.... No proper action and thrill movements in movie...Characters Priya kamini and third lady character for supporting hero without any plans..Hero also don't have any ambition or why he theft no conclusion..Director thinks audiance can see all illogic things without any conclusion....atleast cinema show some thrill movements in this type of movie everybody expect but it doesn't show any thing ..no proper dialogues and action in this heist movie...people expected kore from director.

Neeraj's typical cat & mouse chase movie. Amazing beginning. 3 suspects in start then 2 in middle & 1 in the end. Its a slow burn type wonderful journey. But sadly its not for everyone. Its for the few watchers who like mindbending twisted kind stories that take unexpected turns at every end.

It starts with a diamonds robbery. Later it turns into a puzzle that unfolds as the movie goes on . Excellent acting by all actors. Choreography was amazing. Storyline was strong and it keeps you interested till the end.

The ending is bizzare and the author left it as a surprise for the viewers. Awesome camerawork, sound effects and overall an 8/10 movie from my perspective. Rest is upto you. A must watch thriller. Wonderful work neeraj & co.

Neeraj Pandey has proved to be a master class in intertwined character play. His story telling always relies heavily on the unpredictability of its characters who always operate in a grey zone of morality.

SKM has Avinash (the next big thing in Bollywood!) and Jimmy (Neeraj's fav for a good reason) playing the cat and mouse. But what makes it more interesting is that you are never really sure who is right in this whole game, even though you think you know the whodunnit mystery.

And ya, excellent camera work that keeps you on the edge.

Great supporting cast, no songs to break the momentum. Give it a shot.

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*

It is a googly of a film. Not designed to delight the audience, rather leaves you holding the sack, and for that reason, the movie may not make as much money.

Slow paced, slow burner. You know something is cooking. And then the dish is served. And you are still in a lull, and the movie ends.

It is an interesting script, experimental. It is a bit of a satire. It is also insightful on how hyper focus into one thing can hurt others.

I liked the nonchalant open style ending.

Both the main protagonists have performed really well. I think the performance of the police officer was the better of the two.

Not everyone's cup of tea. Interesting watch.

"Sikandar Ka Muqaddar" offers a promising premise with its intriguing title and the always-reliable Neeraj Pandey at the helm. While the film boasts a decent performance from Tamannaah Bhatia and a compelling start, it ultimately gets bogged down by unnecessary elements and a lack of focus.

Tamannaah Bhatia shines in a new avatar, showcasing her versatility as an actress. She delivers a convincing performance as a woman caught in the crossfire of a dangerous game. However, the film's romantic subplot feels forced and detracts from the main narrative, diluting the overall tension and suspense.

The initial setup is intriguing, with a mysterious heist and a determined cop on the trail of the suspects. However, the film's pacing falters as it gets sidetracked by unnecessary subplots and an overabundance of characters. The narrative loses its grip, and the thrill of the chase gets diluted in the process.

The film's attempts at social commentary, while well-intentioned, feel heavy-handed and disrupt the flow of the story. The climax, while offering some twists and turns, fails to fully deliver the satisfying resolution that the initial setup promised.

Overall, "Sikandar Ka Muqaddar" is a decent thriller that unfortunately loses its way. While Tamannaah Bhatia's performance and the initial premise hold promise, the film's lack of focus, unnecessary subplots, and underwhelming climax prevent it from reaching its full potential.

Anwar Says: The name of Neeraj Pandey itself brings a sparkle that some original action, mystery and sensation, is going to be played. The movie starts with the same note but the back and forth of 15 years put the pace down and loosens its impact considerably. Still watchable, particularly because of notable performances of three leads, Avinash Tiwary, Jimmy Shergil and Tamanna Bhatia.

Pandey has tried to portray so many phases of the characters and is mostly predictable. Jimmy Shergil has definitely matured as an actor and the character is tailor- made for him. Tiwary is composed and gave a solid performance. Tamanna Bhatia, though not given a glamorous role, for a change, is completely within her character. Actress of calibre of Divya Dutta has not been exploited by Pandey. Cinematography is par excellence, catching the actual by lanes of Mumbai. Songs , though hummable, but are unnecessary.

Definitely not the best of Pandey as we expect something more from him. Still I recommend you this weekend at Netflix, since not much new Hindi stuff are available.

#netflix #anwarsays #diamondstealing #patience #avinashtiwary #neerajpandey #jimmyshergil #tamannabhatia #commonman.

I found the movie Fantastic. Storyline is very good, not very predictable. Acting is very good by all the actors. One of the best movies I have seen on Netflix.

One gets baffled, what would be the end of the movie and when the movie finishes still, the end is a suspense in one way. It's definitely a good movie to watch if you're fond of suspense and thriller movies.

Depicts how a life of police officer can be tough and have a crime may unfold even after 15 years Overall, I found it one of the most awaited movies and worth watching movies on Netflix All the lead actors have done a fantastic job.

A thriller genre movie that stands decently true to its genre. Story revolves around a diamond robbery n story keeps vacillating between 15 years on n off with the obsession of investigator to solve it. This had immense potential to be a master thriller but somehow due to compromised execution remains as an average decent one time thriller. Turns slightly boring in between n the last 30 mins is worth it. Climax could have been even more intense. Tamanna is being under utilised. Available in Netflix, my ratings 6.5/10!

A thriller genre movie that stands decently true to its genre. Story revolves around a diamond robbery n story keeps vacillating between 15 years on n off with the obsession of investigator to solve it. This had immense potential to be a master thriller but somehow due to compromised execution remains as an average decent one time thriller. Turns slightly boring in between n the last 30 mins is worth it. Climax could have been even more intense. Tamanna is being under utilised. Available in Netflix, my ratings 6.5/10!

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.

#PranuReviews #SikandarKaMuqaddar #SikandarKaMuqaddarReview.

Super suspense by Neeraj Pandey, until climax it's difficult to predict. Very nice movie with good instance including all variables. What you think thought will not be the conclusion for this movie. Atleast they kept the secret as secret with all instances of variables. Too good for weekend watch.

Super suspense by Neeraj Pandey, until climax it's difficult to predict. Very nice movie with good instance including all variables. What you think thought will not be the conclusion for this movie. Atleast they kept the secret as secret with all instances of variables. Too good for weekend watch........

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is a Netflix Hindi thriller from Neeraj Pandey, the mastermind behind A Wednesday, Special 26, and Baby... films that redefined taut, clever Bollywood thrillers. Pandey's reputation for crafting edge-of-your-seat narratives with sharp twists had me buzzing with high expectations, especially after his recent OTT hits like Special Ops and Khakee: The Bihar Chapter. His knack for blending moral ambiguity with slick cat-and-mouse games made me hope for another banger. But, alas, this diamond heist doesn't quite shine as bright.

Set in 2009 Mumbai, the film kicks off with a chaotic jewellery expo robbery. Enter Jaswinder Singh (Jimmy Shergill), a cop with a flawless record, hounding suspects Sikandar (Avinash Tiwary), Kamini (Tamannaah Bhatia), and Mangesh (Rajiv Mehta). The 15-year chase that follows is a rollercoaster. Shergill's obsessive Jaswinder is riveting, and Tiwary's layered Sikandar keeps you guessing. Bhatia's Kamini adds emotional heft, though she's underused.

The suspense holds tight, with Pandey's signature long takes and Arvind Singh's vibrant visuals, from Mumbai's bustle to Abu Dhabi's gloss.

But the pacing? It's a slog in the middle, with melodrama and a random romantic song dulling the edge.

The final twist lands well but lacks Pandey's usual jaw-drop factor. It's a solid one-time watch, not his finest.

7/10.

You start the film hoping to see Neeraj Pandey's intense grip on such genre like Special 26 but sooner you'll realise that it'll be a mistake to even finish it.

Overall plot is promising but inside it's an empty coconut shell. You will exactly know what's gonna happen and guess what! The film never surprises you.

The Direction seems poor, I don't why Neeraj put continuous shots in the scenes where there is absolutely no requirement of that. I had to play some parts in 1.5x due to that.

Some Characters were forcefully developed and then left alone as if they have nothing to do with this.

This film is disappointment at its best. First "Auron me kahan dum tha" now this.

Neeraj Pandey is one of the finest directors of Bollywood and has made some excellent movies in the past on topical subjects like " A Wednesday " and " Special 26". His style of filming scenes is of a high calibre. So expectations are always high. For some reason his recent movie called " Auron Mein kahan dum tha" was totally disappointing. It appeared that he had lost his touch. Comparitively this movie definitely has his style and with the acting of Jimmy Shergill the narrative is back in form but the smartness and consistency of presentation is missing. The plot deals with the investigation of a diamond robbery where Jimmy is the supercop investigating officer who has had a 100 percentage success record so far and his instincts tell him that he will crack this case too. But this is taken too far and the judge is shocked that remand of 3 subjects is requested only on the basis of the instinct of the IO. The narrative is needlessly non linear, it is uneven ( partly engrossing , partly dragging, partly tension filled). The plot twists were however engaging. All characters are shown grey and the guessing game continues throughout. The two leading characters have rigid fixated agenda which they pursue relentlessly. Are the diamonds a MacGuffin in the plot ?

Director Neeraj puts his signature style in the entire movie particularly in the brisk camerawork and sharp dialogue ( At places). Was the romance really required ? In the uneven state of things everything including direction and acting moves from the ordinary, to mediocre from superficial to lacking in depth. Apparently there is a lack of focus. Jimmy is good in parts and so are Tiwary and Tamannaah. Their work is effected by the not so robust narrative.