Star Cast: Avinash Tiwary, Jimmy Shergill, Tamannaah Bhatia, Rajeev Mehta, Divya Dutta, Zoya Afroz, Ridhima Pandit
Director: Neeraj Pandey
What’s Good: The premise and a start-to-finish intriguing storyline.
What’s Bad: In a broader sense, nothing!
Loo Break: Do not, just keep hooked to the plot, you might miss something important.
Watch or Not?: Yes
Language: Hindi
Available On: Netflix
Runtime: 2 hour 22 minutes
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar Movie Review: A High-Stakes Cat-and-Mouse Game
Inspired by films like “A Wednesday” and “Special 26,” Sikandar Ka Muqaddar presents an intriguing cat-and-mouse chase between a thief and the police. Does it live up to the expectations? Let’s find out.
Neeraj Pandey, known for his debut hit A Wednesday, has rarely missed the mark. Although he had some missteps with Aiyaary and Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, he’s back in form with Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, delivering a tight, thrilling narrative.
The film stars Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Jimmy Sheirgill. It wastes no time, jumping straight into the action from the first scene—a diamond exhibition followed by a daring robbery. Gunshots are fired, and the armed robbers are found dead on the spot. The police seem to have handled it well, but something’s missing. Five precious solitaires have vanished, and no one knows how.
With all the robbers dead, suspicion falls on the people present at the scene. Enter Jimmy Sheirgill’s character, a detective with a flawless track record and an unusual ability he calls Moolvriti—his basic instinct. He quickly identifies three suspects: Mangesh Desai, Kamini Singh, and Sikandar Sharma. But is his instinct correct? The movie follows this journey of discovery, blending action, suspense, and drama as we try to figure out whether Jimmy’s instincts or Sikandar’s fate shape the story’s outcome.
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar: Script Analysis
The movie skillfully jumps between two timelines. One timeline shows the crime and how the suspects were identified. The other jumps 15 years ahead when the case has long been closed, and the suspects have been cleared due to insufficient evidence. Now, Sikandar wants an apology from Jimmy for relying on his faulty instinct, while Jimmy is still searching for closure—was his instinct wrong after all?
The audience, much like Jimmy, becomes invested in uncovering the real thief. Even when the identity becomes clearer, we stay glued to the screen, wondering how long the criminal can stay hidden and how far Jimmy will go to solve the mystery. However, the question remains—is it worth 15 years of doubt? The movie explores what it’s like for a man who has relied on his instinct all his life, only to have it questioned because there is no proof.
The film echoes the tension and suspense of A Wednesday and Special 26. There’s a lot going on beneath the surface, and every step of the investigation must be followed closely. Neeraj Pandey’s writing and direction make you feel like you, too, could solve the case with your own basic instincts.
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar: Star Performance
What’s remarkable about this film is that it’s hard to pinpoint a standout performer, because the real star here is the story itself. That said, Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Jimmy Sheirgill all deliver solid performances. Avinash and Tamannaah do a great job keeping us in the dark about who possesses the missing diamonds, while Jimmy’s instinct sometimes feels shaky, making us question if it’s really Sikandar’s fate that holds the key.
Each actor brings their character to life, but it’s Neeraj Pandey’s story that shines brightest. It keeps you engaged throughout, never losing its grip as it builds up the tension and unravels the mystery.
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar: Direction and Music
Neeraj Pandey once again proves he’s a master of the thriller genre. He weaves together every moment with precision, layering scenes so intricately that, even though we know the mystery from the start, we can’t help but second-guess ourselves. The movie keeps us on edge, making us doubt our own instincts despite knowing how things might unfold.
As for the music, the background score complements the film’s mood well, adding to the suspense. However, the one song that appears feels a bit out of place. While it doesn’t disrupt the flow of the movie, it doesn’t feel necessary either, unless it could have been as impactful as “Kaun Mera” from Special 26.
Final Verdict
At one point, the movie states, “Both won, both lost,” and that sentiment captures the essence of the film. With a few strategic twists, Sikandar Ka Muqaddar delivers an engaging, high-stakes game of cat and mouse. While it may not completely catch you off guard, the thrill of the chase keeps you hooked. This is one heist game that’s definitely worth watching.
