Neeraj Pandey’s previous film, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, was unbelievably half-hearted, dated, and didn’t feel like a Neeraj Pandey film, especially after the exceptionally well-made and thrilling “The Freelancer” and the equally interesting “Khakee: The Bihar Chapter”. With Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, he returns to a genre that has brought him much success.
However, he consciously constructs the film in a way that evolves effectively from being a heist film to a drama depicting the trials and tribulations of a couple facing dire financial struggles, and then to an investigative thriller, where a cop dedicates his life to hunting down the thief who pulled off a heist at the beginning of the film that defined his career thereafter.
What remained to be seen was whether the individual portions of the story worked as intended and whether they could evoke the emotions required to create the necessary impact. Additionally, the question was whether these different genres could be successfully integrated into one cohesive film and whether it would work as expected.
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar chronicles the story of Sikandar Sharma (Avinash Tiwary), an IT technician who, along with Kamini (Tamannaah Bhatia) and Mangesh Desai (Rajeev Mehta), is arrested by Investigating Officer Jaswinder (Jimmy Shergill) on charges of stealing diamonds worth crores.
The IO accuses the trio of using a botched heist attempt by another team as a cover, exploiting the chaos as a smokescreen to execute their crime. Sikandar persistently pleads his innocence, but Jaswinder remains convinced that either he, the trio, or at least two among them are guilty.
The story then spans another 15 years, showcasing how the lives of the three accused are shaped by the robbery charges and the ongoing investigation. It also explores how the case defines Jaswinder’s life, as he spirals from being a celebrated IO with a 100% track record of solving cases to someone spiralling into alcohol abuse and eventually being terminated from his job.
The central question that looms large is who stole the diamonds, and how was the crime orchestrated?
The film begins with a bang, throwing us straight into a high-stakes heist unfolding right at the beginning. We witness the failed heist play out and are then introduced to the Investigating Officer (IO), who swiftly apprehends Sikandar, Kamini, and Mangesh.
The story’s focus then shifts to the tragedy of these three individuals, who may not have committed the crime but are nonetheless forced to endure the agony of court trials, police investigations, and the tarnishing of their reputations as suspected diamond thieves.
The initial heist sequence is crafted with such energy and tension that I was immediately hooked. Pandey employs long takes to establish the mise-en-scène, immersing us in the chaos and setting the stage for the investigation. This approach allows the audience to gather information alongside Jaswinder, who knows only as much as we do at this point.
As long as the investigation and police accusations dominate the narrative, the film retains the unmistakable signature of a Neeraj Pandey thriller. However, the tone shifts when the story begins exploring the personal lives of Kamini and Sikandar. For some, this segment—especially their budding romance—might feel like a distraction or a drag. I found it engaging and integral to the narrative.
The romance between Sikandar and Kamini is developed with such care and honesty that it immediately strikes a chord with me. There is an extended segment where we witness their love blossoming, beautifully underscored by the melodious “Thehre Rahen”. I found this tender portion between two tormented souls so captivating that I didn’t want it to end.
Some critics have suggested that Tamannaah Bhatia didn’t convincingly portray her character in these scenes, but I wonder if they watched a different film. From what I observed, her nuanced expressions, subtle mannerisms, and radiant beauty imbued with an ethereal purity elevated these moments.
They justified the emotions and admiration that Sikandar’s character felt for her. For a man like Sikandar—battered by physical torture, crushed by financial struggles, and devoid of hope—having someone like Kamini care for him and look at him with love is nothing short of a dream come true. This sentiment is wonderfully conveyed through Avinash Tiwary’s performance, who ensures that these tender moments are explored to their fullest warmth.
This depth in their connection makes the events that follow even more harrowing. By this point, the audience is deeply invested in their relationship, hoping against hope for a happy ending for this couple.
The drama involving Sikandar and Kamini reaches a crescendo after this brief period of relief, as things go from bad to worse for them. This portion kept me constantly engaged, eager to see where the next twist would come from.
This unpredictability proves to be one of the film’s greatest strengths. The twists feel authentic, and the narrative avoids unnecessary or contrived misdirections that might seem questionable when the final reveal is made.
The film culminates with Jaswinder finally uncovering the identity of the real thief. For him, solving the case has become a matter of life and death. His obsessive determination to prove that his instincts about Sikandar were correct has not only destroyed his personal life—leading to his divorce—but also ended his once-illustrious police career.
He is willing to go to any lengths to uncover the truth, and when he begins to suspect that Sikandar might be innocent, the story takes an even more compelling turn. The final reveal of the thief’s identity and the ingenious modus operandi behind the crime are presented in a way that is both thrilling and intriguing. The explanations feel well-grounded and realistic, adding to the overall impact of the narrative.
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is rich in drama, and beyond the element of suspense surrounding the question of who stole the diamonds, much of the screenplay focuses on the exploration of the three characters—Sikandar, Kamini, and Jaswinder—and how one event impacts their lives and destiny. The performances by the lead actors were critical to ensuring the film’s engagement and sustaining the audience’s interest in the fates of these characters.
Avinash Tiwary, Jimmy Shergill, and Tamannaah Bhatia each deliver performances that align strongly with their characters, making the audience care about and root for them in their ways. There were moments when I found myself conflicted about whom to root for, as all three seemed justified in their actions.
For me, Tamannaah Bhatia’s character, even after a certain revelation, stood out as the most tragic. She conveys a deep sense of sorrow and tragedy through every movement and gesture. A single look in her eyes often spoke volumes about the pain that she was enduring, and this was emphasized repeatedly throughout the film.
Avinash Tiwary’s Sikandar is also a tragic figure, but what is revealed about him towards the end and the choices his character makes raises genuine questions about his nature, leaving the audience to ponder his true intentions.
Jimmy Shergill’s Jaswinder, however, is the most consistent character in terms of his goals from start to finish, making him the simplest to either like or dislike. His performance, paired with the writing of the character, is designed to evoke strong feelings—whether admiration or disdain—from the audience.
My only issue with the film lies in its technical aspects. The makeup, colour grading, and cinematography—particularly the camera movements and angles used to depict certain events—felt extremely dated, almost reminiscent of a poorly produced TV series on national channels. Considering Neeraj Pandey’s peak with films like “A Wednesday”, “Special 26”, and “Baby”, it’s baffling to see someone of his calibre delivering such inconsistent technical execution.
Had it not been for the captivating story, the fantastic performances from an ensemble cast that commands attention, and the simmering drama brewing between the characters, this film might not have worked as well. When the narrative and performances are so compelling, it becomes imperative for the makers to complement them with flawless technical execution. This was something that was sorely missing here.
That said, I would still recommend Sikandar Ka Muqaddar to all my readers, as I believe that it’s one of the most captivating stories about the middle class, their struggles, and the lengths they go to make ends meet in the guise of a well-crafted heist thriller.
Tamannaah Bhatia, in her brief but impactful role, captured my imagination, as did Jimmy Shergill and Avinash Tiwary, who are fast becoming synonymous with quality projects. “Thehre Rahen” is a track that I have been listening to on a loop for a while now.
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is worth your time and attention in every sense of the term.
Rating: 3.5/5 (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
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