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Sikandar Ka Muqaddar: Served Cold With Bad Writing

A heist drama by Netflix India—this tag alone could have served as the biggest advertisement for Neeraj Pandey’s latest film. However, when the dish was served, it was not only cold but also bland. So, why did Sikandar Ka Muqaddar fall flat?

Firstly, the writing. Any OTT original rises or falls on its writing. The audience for original content on streaming platforms has a keen sense of what makes a good screenplay. Unlike theatrical cinema, an OTT original cannot succeed solely based on its star cast.

Speaking of the cast, the film does a decent job in terms of character development. Jimmy Shergill’s character has been fleshed out quite well. Tamannaah Bhatia, while delivering a strong performance with what she had, was unfortunately underutilized.

Bad writing does not mean there is no brilliance to be found. Being a Neeraj Pandey film, it naturally has some memorable dialogues. However, if you strip away a few standout lines, the overall impact feels lackluster.

For instance, “Hum sab apne sapnon aur zid ke hi toh shikar hain Jaswinder sahab.”

Lines like this might seem cringe-worthy on paper, but the delivery makes them more impactful. Were the dialogues underwhelming? In parts, yes. Still, they manage to elevate the film to some extent.

The most significant flaw in the writing, however, is the predictability of the ending. While predictability is not always a dealbreaker, it becomes a glaring issue in a film like this, where the narrative thrives on suspense and intrigue.

Now streaming, Sikandar Ka Muqaddar might be one of those Netflix originals that underperforms. With a release date clashing with Lucky Bashkar, it faces stiff competition this week.

 

Binged Bureau: