Sikandar Ka Muqaddar Movie Review: A Neeraj Pandey Thriller on Streaming
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar: A Quick Look
“Sikandar Ka Muqaddar” is now streaming online in Telugu with a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes. The Telugu dubbing is also noted to be well-done, making it accessible for Telugu-speaking audiences.
From the Director of “Baby” & “MS Dhoni”
The film is directed by Neeraj Pandey, known for his work on hit movies like Akshay Kumar’s “Baby” and Sushant Singh Rajput’s “MS Dhoni: The Untold Story,” among many others. His directorial background certainly sets a level of expectation for this new offering.
First Impressions & Diverse Reactions
Upon watching, the movie elicited a dual reaction. On one hand, if viewers set aside the logical inconsistencies, the diamond robbery plot, engaging screenplay, and several suspenseful, thrilling scenes are likely to be quite enjoyable. However, for those who question the main reason behind events and how things unfolded, or find the many important reasons revealed at the end to be “over the top,” the movie might not resonate well. The reviewer personally appreciated the making quality and some thrilling elements, particularly the first and last half-hour of the film, finding moments of genuine thrill. Initially, the promising start even suggested a very high rating.
Climax and Family-Friendly?
The film’s climax is described as incomplete, suggesting a potential setup for a “Part 2.” Despite this, it is considered suitable for family viewing as there is no objectionable content.
The Core Plot: A Diamond Heist
The basic storyline revolves around a red diamond robbery that occurs in Mumbai at the beginning of the film. The central mystery is whether the police manage to uncover who was behind this heist.
What Works Well: Strengths of Sikandar Ka Muqaddar
Setting aside the general storytelling approach, the screenplay stands out for its novel and well-planned execution. The narrative skillfully manages suspense by alternating between “15 Years Later” and “Present” timelines without prematurely revealing key events. The basic script work and screenplay are deemed superb. Jimmy Shergill and Avinash Tiwari carry the entire film, with their look variations depicting “before and after” being superb, complemented by excellent performances. Tamannaah also delivers a good performance in her role as a family woman. The cinematography is rich, reflecting good production values, and the background music is engaging in various parts of the film.
Areas for Improvement: The Minus Points
Several aspects of the film felt “too much” or lacked logical grounding. Firstly, the reason why a police officer wasted 15 years of his life, even when sticking to his instinct, is not adequately explained. Despite potential court case dismissals, the reasons for his ruined life are not shown, which makes his sacrifices seem baseless. Secondly, a specific spoiler-related point questions how a computer technician perfectly placed a letter in a pocket, as if an expert who had practiced it. Thirdly, the robbery sequence raises questions about public observation; with many people present and glass being loudly broken, it’s implausible that no one would notice the slow-paced robbery.
Furthermore, after a promising start focused on the robbery, the film gradually deviates towards personal lives, incorporating love stories, songs, and new characters. It fails to provide proper detailing on why the police officer underwent his transformation, only to revisit the robbery plot briefly at the very end, almost as an afterthought. Additionally, some of the music is noted to resemble a TV serial’s score, and the lack of suspicion towards other characters is a point that only the filmmakers might be able to explain.
Final Verdict: Is Sikandar Ka Muqaddar Worth Watching?
Ultimately, the verdict for “Sikandar Ka Muqaddar” depends on the viewer’s tolerance for logical discrepancies. If you are comfortable overlooking such issues, the movie can be enjoyed as a good thriller. However, if you are inclined to question the “how” and “why” of events as highlighted in the minus points, the film might feel just “okay.” The experience is described as “over the top, but still thrills to an extent.”
