 "Netflix’s Sikandar Ka Muqaddar Movie Review")
Language: Hindi
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Cast: Jimmy Shergill, Tamannaah Bhatia, Avinash Tiwary, and Rajiv Mehta
Netflix’s Sikandar Ka Muqaddar opens with the theft of four expensive red diamonds in an exhibition. Jaswinder Singh or Jass played by Jimmy Shergill is given the task of finding who stole the precious red solitaires worth Rs 60 crores from the exhibition despite the tight security. The best thing about this film is that no specific person is actually a hero, rather everybody is a star in their own way.
Jaswinder Singh ( Jimmy Shergill ) feels that any of these three -Kamini ( Tamannaah Bhatia ), Sikandar ( Avinash Tiwary ), and Mangesh (Rajiv Mehta) who were present at the exhibition have stolen the diamonds. But Jaswinder’s assumption is just based on instincts. And he takes great pride in the fact that his instincts are always right. The movie covers a span of 15 years from 2009 to present day and the flashbacks are like snap shots playing in the minds of both Jaswinder Singh (Jimmy Shergill) and Sikandar (Avinash Tiwary). Even though the three suspects get a clean chit, Jaswinder immerses himself to the fullest to make Sikandar’s life miserable and in this process he finds himself in a dark hole.
The best thing about Netflix ’s Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is that the pace never slackens. The two-hour plus film has the right twists and turns and I must say that director Neeraj Pandey has given us a heist for all of us to relish. Though you may feel at some scenes in the film that it’s a story shown through lens of pulpy degradation with infidelity, corruption, torture in police cells. But it is much more than that and to immerse yourself to the film you will have to watch till the end.
Actor Avinash Tiwary has delivered one of his best performances after Kunal Khemu’s directorial debut Madgaon Express . The way he transforms from an under confident young man to a successful professional in this role of Sikandar is remarkable. Tamannaah Bhatia’s performance too is brilliant and with an innocent face never once you will be able to suspect as to what she is up to. Jimmy Shergill who plays a tough award winning cop with full confidence on his instincts, but he too loses his job in the police force due to his drinking habits. But he doesn’t give up on the diamond robbery case because he has total faith in his instincts. But will he be able to find the real robber, for that you need to watch the film.
Not a typical chor-police film and never once will you feel frustrated because it is filled with wicked twists and turns. Done very smartly with no gun giggles and blood shed, but just pure intelligence, this compelling film with it’s perfect setup needs to be celebrated for its uniqueness in solving the case and yet leaving us on a cliffhanger.
Rating: 3 and half out of 5
WATCH the trailer of Netflix’s Sikandar Ka Muqaddar movie here:
Lachmi Deb Roy is the entertainment editor of Firtspost, Network18. She reviews films and series with a gender lens. Her interviews are called 'Not Just Bollywood' because she takes huge interest in world cinema. OTT over theatrical releases is her preference unless and until its a King Khan film. She takes interest in fashion, food and art reviews too.