Netflix and Friday Filmworks’ Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is a crime thriller. Police inspector Jaswinder Singh (Jimmy Shergill) is called in to solve a diamond theft case. There are three suspects — Mangesh Desai (Rajeev Mehta), Kamini (Tamannaah Bhatia) and Sikandar Sharma (Avinash Tiwary). With a cent per cent track record, Jaswinder relies on his instinct which, incidentally, has always stood him in good stead in solving criminal cases. This time also, he picks up on the three suspects purely on the basis of his instinct. But his instinct proves wrong this one time. Or does it?
Neeraj Pandey has written an intelligent story which keeps the audience engrossed completely because it prompts them to keep thinking and playing the guessing game. The screenplay, penned by Neeraj Pandey and Vipul K. Rawal, is not just engaging but it is also very interesting and all-consuming. The drama drops a bit at a couple of places but that happens for a few minutes each time, after which the viewers get sucked into it over again. The last half an hour is especially very engaging because a lot of revelations happen in that part. The duo’s dialogues are truly entertaining.
Jimmy Shergill does an excellent job as Jaswinder Singh. Avinash Tiwary shines in the role of Sikandar Sharma. Tamannaah Bhatia is pretty natural as Kamini. Rajeev Mehta leaves a wonderful mark in the role of Mangesh Desai. Divya Dutta makes her presence felt in a brief role as Kaushalya Singh. Ridhima Pandit leaves a lovely mark as Priya Sawant. Zoya Afroz looks pretty and acts well as Tabbasum Khan. Santanu Ghatak is superb in a brief role as Anoop Das, the police informer. Praful Joshi performs well as police inspector Kamble. Vikrant Kolape is effective in the role of Tarun Ghorpade. Khurshed Lawyer is supremely natural as advocate Parker. Ashrut Jain delivers a heartfelt performance as Sikandar’s friend, Manish Shukla. Rashmi Shukla is alright as judge Sushila. Anil Pandey is realistic as the judge for remand and bail. Prakash Waghela acts naturally as lawyer Gupte. K.S.Krishnan has his moments as Anna. Shivraj Walwekar is good as Jaswinder’s boss, Wagh. Binda Rawal is okay as judge Smita Rao. Aparna Upadhayay is natural as Sikandar’s mother. Deepak Dariyani lends fair support as ACP Singh. Ravi Kothari is alright as the pleader. Arpit Mishra (as Mamaji), Jagdish Sharda (as driver constable), Rajesh Joshi (as the clerk), Jai Desai (as Mangesh Desai’s son), Parvinder Singh (as Sameer supplier), Ashish Vithlaani (as the admin officer), Atul Rathod (as Dharmeshbhai), Bharat Jha (as Tiwariji), Ashutosh Kushwaha (as the waiter), Anvesha Tyagi (as Devyani Singh), Kulsen Chougule (as Tukaram) and Komal Somare (as Rohini Jadhav) lend decent support. Others are adequate.
Neeraj Pandey’s direction is terrific. Payal Dev’s music is functional. Manoj Muntashir’s lyrics are weighty. Vishnu Deva’s choreography is so-so. Sanjoy Chowdhury’s background music is extraordinary. Arvind Singh’s cinematography deserves first class marks. Amar Shetty’s action and stunt scenes are realistic. Mayur Sharma’s production designing is very proper. Praveen Kathikuloth’s editing is super-sharp.
On the whole, Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is a nice and intelligent entertainer and will find appreciation among the audience.
Released on 29-11-’24 on Netflix.
