Neeraj Pandey’s heist thriller struggles to maintain tension despite strong performances

Story: After a high-profile diamond heist goes unsolved, a determined police officer’s fixation on his prime suspect turns into an all-consuming obsession.

Review: After a series of successful and exciting Bollywood thrillers like A Wednesday, Special offer 26And babyDirector Neeraj Pandey has carved a niche for himself with his gripping stories about secret agents and men in uniform. His recent OTT successes, Special forces And Khakee: The Bihar Chapterfurther solidifying his mastery of the thriller genre. His latest offering, Sikandar Ka Muqaddaralthough still worth seeing, it doesn’t reach the high bar set by his earlier works.

Set against the backdrop of Mumbai in 2009, the film begins with a fascinating heist in which precious red solitaires worth 60 million rupees are stolen during an exhibition. Officer Jaswinder Singh (Jimmy Shergill) quickly narrows his list of suspects down to three suspects: Mangesh Desai (Rajiv Mehta), a veteran jewelry store clerk; Kamini Singh (Tamannaah Bhatia), his colleague; and Sikandar Sharma (Avinash Tiwary), a computer technician who is in a hurry to leave the crime scene after the alarm goes off. While Jaswinder’s instincts point to Sikandar, his growing obsession with solving the case sends him on a 15-year chase that spans multiple cities, including Abu Dhabi. At the heart of the story is the question of whether Sikandar or any of the other suspects are truly guilty, or whether Singh’s relentless pursuit is driven by his need to protect his reputation.

The film starts strong, with a captivating production that draws the viewer into the mystery of the missing diamonds. However, when the narrative jumps forward 15 years, the pace slows considerably. The back and forth between past and present becomes sluggish, and as the film shifts focus from the heist itself to the extended cat-and-mouse chase between Singh and Sikandar, the intrigue gradually fades. Although some plot twists attempt to maintain tension, many of them are predictable and as the crucial confrontation between Singh and Sikandar unfolds, the film struggles to maintain the tension it initially promised.

The performances are undeniably strong, with Jimmy Shergill delivering a standout performance as Officer Singh. He adds depth to the character, portraying a man driven by both duty and personal demons, struggling to maintain his reputation while dealing with increasing frustration. Avinash Tiwary also shines as Sikandar, a man caught in the crossfire of his own decisions and the obsession of a determined police officer. Tamannaah Bhatia impresses in a non-glamorous role, playing a single mother who accidentally gets caught up in the investigation. Although Tiwary has more screen time, Bhatia’s performance arguably offers greater emotional depth. Rajiv Mehta rounds out the cast well as Mangesh Desai is another suspect whose role adds complexity to the mystery.

Visually the film is convincing. Cinematographer Arvind Singh does an excellent job of capturing the locations, from the bustling streets of Mumbai to the elegant cityscape of Abu Dhabi to the historical richness of Agra. However, the 143-minute running time feels unnecessarily stretched, as the songs – although well composed – detract from the momentum of the narrative.

Despite brilliant flashes, Sikandar Ka Muqaddar He fails to fully utilize his potential. The tension wanes as the story progresses and the twists come too late to compensate for the sluggish pace. While the performances and initial premise keep it afloat, the film ultimately lacks the razor-sharp intensity that defines Neeraj Pandey’s best works.

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is worth watching for its strong performances and intriguing opening, but it’s not the gripping thriller that fans of the genre would expect.