Review: ‘Sikandar’ loses track mid-way, ends up as a mediocre

Piyush Jha’s latest flick, ‘Sikandar’, which released all over this Friday, talks about the multitude of sensitive issues that need to be resolved in Kashmir. Starring Parzaan Dastur, the little kid from ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, and then a much talented actor from ‘Parzania’, the film attempts to deal with the politics behind the rather sensitive ‘Kashmir’ issue, but apparently loses track as it reaches mid-way.

‘Sikandar’ is based on the lives of young school-going boys and girls against the backdrop of the situation of terrorism in Kashmir. It is the story of Sikandar (Parzaan Dastur), a 14-year-old boy who stumbles upon a gun on his way to school. Despite his newfound friend Nasreen (Ayesha Kapoor) stopping him from using it, Sikandar chooses to use it to threaten the bullies at school and to easily get out of every other uncomfortable situation.

Soon, the gun becomes a part of his life and then a terrorist sees him as a ploy to bump off a former separatist leader (played by Sanjay Suri). Sikandar is promised a reward in return, which is why he agrees to do it. But Sikandar fails in his mission when Nasreen (his friend) comes between him and his target. Now, the terrorist makes sure that he gets back to Sikandar, and there comes an unwanted twist in the story which apparently takes the film to a completely different genre.

The film appeared to be quite different and sensitive with its human-interest angle in the beginning, but lost all the appeal as it started becoming more of a suspense thriller. This is perhaps why ‘Sikandar’ seems to be just another film set against the backdrop of terrorism in Kashmir.

Parzaan Dastur has performed to the best of his age, but Ayesha Kapoor could have been far better. R Madhavan does a good job but Sanjay Suri looks to be a complete miscast in the role of a politician.

On the whole, the film can’t be called a bad watch, but lacks the punch to be considered anything more than just another film based against the backdrop of terrorism in Kashmir.

Rating: Two cheers!