Story: A determined cop’s 15-year pursuit of his prime suspect in a high-profile diamond heist blurs the line between duty and obsession.
Review: Known for his stellar thrillers like Special 26 and Baby, Neeraj Pandey’s Sikandar Ka Muqaddar delivers a decent mystery but falters compared to his earlier works.
Set in 2009 Mumbai, the film opens with an exciting heist of Rs 60-crore red solitaires. Officer Jaswinder Singh (Jimmy Shergill) suspects three people: veteran employee Mangesh Desai (Rajiv Mehta), colleague Kamini Singh (Tamannaah Bhatia), and techie Sikandar Sharma (Avinash Tiwary). As Singh fixates on Sikandar, the case spans 15 years and multiple cities, raising questions about guilt and obsession.
The film starts strong with an engaging setup but loses steam as it shifts from the heist to a prolonged pursuit. The 15-year time jump slows the pacing, and while there are twists, most are predictable. By the climax, the tension has largely faded, leaving the finale underwhelming.
Performances, however, shine. Jimmy Shergill portrays the obsessive cop with depth, balancing duty and desperation. Avinash Tiwary impresses as the enigmatic Sikandar, while Tamannaah Bhatia, in a grounded role, adds emotional gravitas. Rajiv Mehta contributes well to the mystery as the seasoned employee.
Visually, the film excels, showcasing Mumbai’s vibrance, Abu Dhabi’s modernity, and Agra’s historic charm, thanks to Arvind Singh’s cinematography. However, the 143-minute runtime feels excessive, with songs disrupting the narrative flow despite being well-composed.
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar has moments of brilliance, but its sluggish pacing and lack of sharp intensity fall short of Pandey’s best. While the performances and initial premise stand out, it struggles to maintain its promise as a gripping thriller. Worth a watch, but with tempered expectations.
Plus Points:
- Strong Performances: Stellar acting by Jimmy Shergill, Avinash Tiwary, and Tamannaah Bhatia.
- Engaging Start: Intriguing heist premise captures attention.
- Cinematography: Stunning visuals of Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, and Agra.
- Emotional Depth: Characters bring relatable struggles and motivations.
- Music: Well-composed tracks enhance certain moments.
Minus Points:
- Sluggish Pacing: The 15-year time jump slows the narrative.
- Predictable Twists: Lack of surprising revelations.
- Excessive Runtime: The 143 minutes feel stretched unnecessarily.
- Unbalanced Focus: Shift from the heist to the pursuit reduces intrigue.
- Weaker Climax: Fails to deliver a satisfying payoff.
The Review
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar starts strong with an intriguing heist and powerful performances, particularly by Jimmy Shergill and Tamannaah Bhatia. However, its sluggish pacing, predictable twists, and stretched runtime weaken the impact. While visually impressive, it lacks the sharp intensity of Neeraj Pandey’s best works. A decent watch, but underwhelming overall.
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