The much-anticipated thriller Sikandar ka Muqaddar has dropped on Netflix, promising to be an entertainment package full of intrigue, drama, and emotions. Does it deliver? Let’s see.
Storyline
It is 2009 and on a busy day at the heavily guarded high-profile diamond exhibition in NICSO Mumbai, the police foil an armed robbery attempt following a tip-off. However, amidst the chaos, the glass case displaying a set of solitaires worth 50-60 crores is found broken into and the goods stolen.
Enter Jaswinder Singh, a sharp detective, who boasts of having 100% successful detection record, thanks to his signature “Moolvriti” (instinct). Jaswinder zeroes in on three suspects:
Mangesh Desai, a seasoned employee wearing a badge of 32 years of loyalty; Kamini Singh, his colleague and a single mom juggling her infant and her integrity; and Sikandar, a computer techie with a sick mom and a streak of bad luck.
Jaswinder is sure one of them is guilty. The suspects are grilled, with Sikandar bearing most of the brunt of the detective’s suspicions and torture. Before we know whether the mystery would be solved, the story fast-forwards 15 years. A washed-up Jaswinder, who is sitting in a bar and under alcohol therapy, having received a couple of wounds on the day – his firing from the job and his divorce verdict, learns of Sikandar’s return to Mumbai in a few hours. The two of them meet, with Jaswinder wanting to apologise and attain closure whereas Sikandar wanting to see Jaswinder accept that his instinct was wrong. As they talk, flashbacks reveal the devastating fallout of that fateful suspicion, particularly on Sikandar’s muqaddar.
Was Jaswinder wrong all along? Can the real culprit be unmasked after all these years?
Our critique
Writer and director Neeraj Pandey kicks things off on a strong footing. The opening act is gripping, setting up the mystery and the characters with precision. However, in the second half, the pace slows to a crawl as we dive deep— perhaps too deep—into Sikandar’s life. The climax prolongs its welcome, leaving you drained. And you wonder whether it was worth it.
The narrative has its share of twists. Some are predictable, while a couple of others are downright ‘undigestable’. One character’s sudden transformation sub-plot might leave you scratching your head. The editing could’ve been sharper, as a few repetitive scenes and disjointed frames annoy you.
The camerawork is stunning, with clever angles and seamless single-take shots. The music complements the emotions well.
Screen Performances
Jimmy Shergill shines as Jaswinder. His nuanced portrayal of a flawed yet obsessed detective proves once again why he’s one of Bollywood’s most underrated actors.
Tamanna nails the role of Kamini, blending sweetness with vulnerability.
Rajeev Mehta owns his part as the veteran Mangesh Desai, embodying the role effortlessly.
Divya Dutta, despite her limited screen time, makes an impact as Jaswinder’s wife—wish she had a larger role.
But the star of the show is Avinash Tiwary. He brings Sikandar to life, with his powerful performance, proving his versatility and growth as an actor.
Overall opinion
Sikandar ka Muqaddar may not be in the league of Neeraj Pandey’s finest works, but it’s an okay thriller if judged as a standalone movie. While the pacing falters a bit and some twists aren’t convincing, the performances and compelling setup keep you engaged. If you’re a fan of emotional dramas wrapped in a heist mystery, this one’s worth it. Otherwise, there are better options out there.
Our rating
