Sikandar (2009 film)
Encyclopedia
.
Sikandar is a Hindi
film. The film, which features Parzan Dastur
in the lead role with R. Madhavan
, Sanjay Suri
, Ayesha Kapoor
in pivotal roles amongst others is written and directed by Piyush Jha
and produced by Sudhir Mishra
. The film has terrorism in the India
n state of Jammu & Kashmir as its backdrop. It was known in its production stages as Foot Soldier. The film was released on 21 August 2009.
One day, on his way to a school football match, Sikandar finds a gun lying on the path. Despite admonishments by his newly made school friend, 14-year-old Nasreen (Ayesha Kapoor), Sikandar picks up the gun and begins a journey into the darker side of his nature. The quiet-yet-strong Nasreen becomes Sikandar’s conscience keeper. She tries to dissuade him from giving in to the lure of the gun.
Sikandar gets embroiled further and further in situations beyond his control, and people get killed. At first it seems that the happenings occurring alongside Sikandar’s predicament are not connected. But, as layer upon layer is revealed, it becomes clear that Sikandar is the innocent victim in a game being played out between the militants, the army, the peace-bartering politicians and the religious heads of the little Kashmiri town. The pieces of the puzzle come together at the very end, leading to a shocking revelation. The movie is a portrayal of how child psychologies can be moulded, how terrorists are made. "Bholi bhaali rahne do" by Prasoon Joshi wonderfully sums up the movie.
, film critic of the Times of India, gave it a 3.5 star rating.
Sikandar is a Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
film. The film, which features Parzan Dastur
Parzan Dastur
-Background:Parzan Dastur is known as the kid from the famous "Dhara" ad, where he scrumptiously says "jalebiii..."-Film career:Parzan has worked in many commercial ads. Parzan made his debut in movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai as a Silent Sardarji . His other movies are Mohabbatein , Zubeidaa and Kabhi...
in the lead role with R. Madhavan
R. Madhavan
R. Madhavan is an Indian actor, writer, film producer and television host. Madhavan has received a Filmfare Award, an award from the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards alongside recognition and nominations from other organisations...
, Sanjay Suri
Sanjay Suri
Sanjay Suri is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films.He made his debut in 1999 with Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi. He went on to star in many supporting roles but finally got his big break with Jhankaar Beats in 2003, where audiences started to recognize him as a seasoned actor...
, Ayesha Kapoor
Ayesha Kapoor
Ayesha Kapur , born 13 September 1994 in India, is an award winning Indian film actress who is best known for playing young Michelle McNally in the Bollywood movie Black. Kapur received unanimous praise for the role, and quickly became the recipient of many Awards in the "Best Supporting Actress"...
in pivotal roles amongst others is written and directed by Piyush Jha
Piyush Jha
Piyush Jha is a film director and screenwriter of Indian origin, most known for his acclaimed films Sikandar , King of Bollywood and Chalo America.-Early life:...
and produced by Sudhir Mishra
Sudhir Mishra
Sudhir Mishra is an Indian film director and screenwriter most renowned for directing critically acclaimed films like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Dharavi and Chameli.-Early life and education:...
. The film has terrorism in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state of Jammu & Kashmir as its backdrop. It was known in its production stages as Foot Soldier. The film was released on 21 August 2009.
Plot
Sikandar Raza (Parzan Dastur) is a 14-year-old schoolboy in Jammu and Kashmir. Ever since his parents were killed by jihadis (militants) 10 years ago, he has lived with his aunt and uncle, in a small town called Kupwara in Kashmir. All Sikandar’s desires revolve around the happiness of his foster parents and getting the ball into the goal on the football field.One day, on his way to a school football match, Sikandar finds a gun lying on the path. Despite admonishments by his newly made school friend, 14-year-old Nasreen (Ayesha Kapoor), Sikandar picks up the gun and begins a journey into the darker side of his nature. The quiet-yet-strong Nasreen becomes Sikandar’s conscience keeper. She tries to dissuade him from giving in to the lure of the gun.
Sikandar gets embroiled further and further in situations beyond his control, and people get killed. At first it seems that the happenings occurring alongside Sikandar’s predicament are not connected. But, as layer upon layer is revealed, it becomes clear that Sikandar is the innocent victim in a game being played out between the militants, the army, the peace-bartering politicians and the religious heads of the little Kashmiri town. The pieces of the puzzle come together at the very end, leading to a shocking revelation. The movie is a portrayal of how child psychologies can be moulded, how terrorists are made. "Bholi bhaali rahne do" by Prasoon Joshi wonderfully sums up the movie.
Cast
| Parzan Dastur Parzan Dastur -Background:Parzan Dastur is known as the kid from the famous "Dhara" ad, where he scrumptiously says "jalebiii..."-Film career:Parzan has worked in many commercial ads. Parzan made his debut in movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai as a Silent Sardarji . His other movies are Mohabbatein , Zubeidaa and Kabhi... |
Sikandar |
| Ayesha Kapoor Ayesha Kapoor Ayesha Kapur , born 13 September 1994 in India, is an award winning Indian film actress who is best known for playing young Michelle McNally in the Bollywood movie Black. Kapur received unanimous praise for the role, and quickly became the recipient of many Awards in the "Best Supporting Actress"... |
Nasreen |
| R. Madhavan R. Madhavan R. Madhavan is an Indian actor, writer, film producer and television host. Madhavan has received a Filmfare Award, an award from the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards alongside recognition and nominations from other organisations... |
Rajesh Rao |
| Sanjay Suri Sanjay Suri Sanjay Suri is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films.He made his debut in 1999 with Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi. He went on to star in many supporting roles but finally got his big break with Jhankaar Beats in 2003, where audiences started to recognize him as a seasoned actor... |
Mukhtar Masoodi |
| Arunoday Singh Arunoday Singh Arunoday Singh is an Indian film actor. Arunodoy Singh debut movie was Sikandar . He played the character of some Kashmiri Zahgeer Quadir in the movie Sikander... |
Zahageer Qadir |
Soundtrack
| Track # | Song | Duration | Singer(s) | Composer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allah Hoo | 4:57 | Hrishikesh Kamerkar, Yash Narvekar | Justin-Uday |
| 2 | Arzoo - Naat | 2:00 | Mehrajuddin | Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy are an Indian musical trio consisting of Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa. Record producers, musicians and multi-instrumentalists, they have composed music for over fifty soundtrack across four languages... |
| 3 | Chaal Apni | 3:29 | Hamsika Iyer, Hrishikesh Kamerkar | Justin-Uday |
| 4 | Dhoop Ke Sikke | 6:09 | Shankar Mahadevan Shankar Mahadevan Shankar Mahadevan is an Indian music composer and singer. He is a part of the Shankar Ehsaan Loy trio team that composes for Indian films and a playback singer.-Early life:... , Anousha Mani |
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy are an Indian musical trio consisting of Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa. Record producers, musicians and multi-instrumentalists, they have composed music for over fifty soundtrack across four languages... |
| 5 | Gulon Mein | 4:58 | Mohit Chauhan Mohit Chauhan Mohit Chauhan is an Indian pop and playback singer, most known for his romantic ballads. He started his career singing Indian pop songs with the band Silk Route, which released two albums, Boondein and Pehchan. The song "Dooba Dooba" became a rave in the Indipop music scene. However, the band... |
Justin-Uday |
| 6 | Gulon Mein - 1 | 5:17 | K.K. | Sandesh Shandilya Sandesh Shandilya Sandesh Shandilya is an Indian film composer, musician, singer, working in Bollywood, most known for his work in films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham , Chameli, Road, Uff Kya Jadoo Mohabbat Hai and Socha Na Tha.... |
| 7 | Manzaraat | 3:32 | Shilpa Rao Shilpa Rao Shilpa Rao is an Indian female playback singer.-Early life:She was born on 11 April 1984 in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Her father S. V. Rao, who held a degree in music, introduced her to music... |
Justin-Uday |
Reception
Nikhat KazmiNikhat Kazmi
Nikhat Kazmi is a senior correspondent and well-known film critic from India, who has been writing for The Times of India, since 1987.-Books:* If Shakespeare was a gun: a play. Writers Workshop, 1984....
, film critic of the Times of India, gave it a 3.5 star rating.
External links
- Sikandar, official site
- AOL.in Movie Review By Noyon Jyoti Parasara