Muqaddar Ka Sikandar

Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) : Brief Review -

The biggest Blockbuster of Prakash Mehra's Muqaddar for a reason. My father has seen this film in theaters 3 or 4 times and called it the most memorable masala entertainer of the 70s after Sholay. We have seen the film multiple times on TV, and since we all know the story and everything, I won't waste my and your time with that. I'll talk about cut-to and off-to elements. An orphan boy who starts with nothing in his hands ends up being a rich man with a golden heart and makes everyone cry over his death. "Rote hote aate hai sab, hasta hua jo jayega. Wo muqaddar ka Sikandar jaane man kehlayega" is how he starts. Big B with that sexy hair makes it the most handsome bike scene in Bollywood history. Period. The same lyrics hit differently in the last frame of Big B because Rafi's voice takes it to a whole new level. The girl he has loved since his childhood falls in love with his brother-like friend, and the girl who is in love with him is loved by someone else. So, there are two love triangles, and both have smartly written conflicts and misunderstandings that make the script and screenplay a rich experience. Kalyanji-Anandji gave 4 super hit songs, two of which have sad versions too. It's 2024, and I can still listen to Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Oo Saathi Re, Salaam-E-Ishq, and Dil Toh Hai Dil on repeat mode and never get bored. Oo Saathi Re has two versions, and both come in perfect situations. The same goes for the title track. I mean, those were the days when songs used to be part of the narrative and used to elevate the meaning of the scenes, unlike today, when there are no situations for songs but they are forced into them for commercial purposes. The dynamic personality of Sikandar ends up with a stature you can't just hate. More than a Sikandar, he is called "Farishta"-by his loved ones and the ones who hated him. Story, music, acting, dialogues, action, drama, heartbreak, emotions, and Mehra's direction-every single thing is "Sikandar" (conquering) in itself. Among the top 5 best commercial films of the 1970s.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

As an orphan on the streets in Shimla, young Sikandar (Amitabh Batchchan). Has no one to care for him. For a short while he works for Mr. Ramnath, little Kamna Ramnath (Rakhee Gulzar) gives Sikandar the kind of consideration friendship no one has ever before given him. After that Ramnath, leave Shimla for Bombay, Sikandar follows them there. Eventually Fatima, a young widow who works for Ramnath, adopts Sikandar. At Kamna's birthday party Ramnath mistakes Sikandar for a thief and has him thrown out. Little Kamna turns against Sikandar and wants to have nothing further to do with him. At Fatima's grave yard, a Darvesh (Kader Khan) advice young Sikandar how to deal with the realities of life. Young Sikandar works hard and grows up to be a wealthy respected young man. Kamna, who still wants to have nothing to do with Sikandar, is unaware that he has been helping her all along by paying for her handicapped father's medical bills. Sikandar meets a dancing girl, Zohra Bai (Rekha), who falls in love with at first sight. But Sikandar still loves Kamna. Dilawar (Amjad Khan), a vengeful lover of Zohra, declares Sikandar to be his enemy. When a young lawyer Vishaul (Vinod Khanna) saves Sikandar's life, Sikandar takes him in to his home and treats him more than a brother. Vishaul who know nothing of Sikandar's feelings for Kamna, becomes Ramnath's assistant and falls in love with Kamna. Before Sikandar can declare his love to Kamna, his life long dream is shattered when he see her in vis haul arms. Sikandar feels he has been betrayed by his best friend and by his love.

Muqaddar Ka Sikandar review :

Prakash Mehra's interpretation of the classic 'Devdas'; Muqaddar Ka Sikandar was an intense love saga where each of its key characters is madly in love with someone who doesn't love him or her.

Amitabh Bachchan loves Rakhee Rakhee loves Vinod Khanna Rekha loves Amitabh Amjad Khan loves Rekha.

Mehra's execution was extraordinary as he beautifully blended the hearttouching characters with superlative songs.

"Rote hue aate hai sab Hastaa hua jo jaayegaa Woh Muqaddar Ka Sikandar Jaaneman kehlayega" sings Amitabh racing down Marine Drive in Mumbai on his bike setting the tone of the film.

"O saathi re" and "Pyaar zindagi hai" are ever memorable tracks while Rekha's mujra number "Salaam-e- ishq" has attained cult status today.

Muqaddar Ka Sikandar is as much Amitabh's film as it is Mehra's. The superhit actor-director jodi had truly reached a creative crescendo with this venture. I simply love Amitabh's expressions while seeing his love Rakhee dancing with Vinod Khanna in the "Pyaar Zindagi" song. Admittedly, Vinod Khanna was a formidable angle to this love quadrangle and he impressed me with his swag even in a somewhat underwritten role. Trust me, any other actor wouldve fallen flat in this role and it is to the credit of Khanna that he could stand strong in front of the unbeatable Amitabh. Rekha looks alluring as the kind hearted courtesan and this is one of the finest performances of her illustrious career.

Amjad Khan, as Dilawar, was another brilliant character and his climactic encounter with Amitabh is a major highlight of the movie. Both are fighting for their love willing to risk their life for it...Super!!

Rightfully, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, a 1978 Diwali release, took the biggest opening in history of Bollywood. It remains the biggest hits of that year and one of the top grossers of the '70s decade. Many films tried to replicate this theme later including Sajid Nadiadwala's Jeet (1996) but Sikandar remains special. And immortal like the great Alexander from whom its draws its name!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Muqaddar ka Sikandar is and will probably remain one of the greatest movies you and I will ever watch in our lifetime.The drama,pain,suffering,love are some of the things that leave you spell bound.The acting ,the story and suffering of this little boy "sikandar" and how he becomes a feared man in his neighborhood are breath taking.

Like all great movies of this golden period,this movie too has a social message -"love the pain and laugh at misery".

Once you finish watching the movie you will be overwhelmed and will never forget those haunting moments.like the one where sikandar stays outside the house with the doll,like when his mother dies,the beautiful songs - all breathtaking.

And yes , Amitabh Bachchan is Amitabh Bachchan.

Review By Kamal K

Nice movie ! I like Amitabh - his acting,style, dialogue delivery ! All the songs in this movie are worth remembering. Rote hue aate hein sab is tops the list ! Not to forget handsome Vinod Khanna, Ram Sethi as Pyarelal ,gorgeous Rekha as Zohra and of course Amjad Khan as Dilawar. All did their roles perfectly and a nice emotional movie .