The drama thriller Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, starring Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia and Jimmy Sheirgill was released on Netflix on November 29. This Neeraj Pandey film has managed to grab eyeballs and was in the top 10 list in as many as 11 countries in its opening week. Producer Shital Bhatia of Friday Filmworks, who produced this heist flick, spoke exclusively to Bollywood Hungama about the response, the performances, the unusual climax and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Shital Bhatia opens up as Jimmy Sheirgill YET AGAIN misses out on love in Sikandar Ka Muqaddar; reveals that Neeraj Pandey completed the shoot in RECORD 28 days
How has been the response to Sikandar Ka Muqaddar?
The reviews have been mixed but overall, the audience response that we have got is quite overwhelming.
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar deals with the robbery of solitaires. Hence, did you or Neeraj Pandey ever consider naming the film Jewel Thief?
No. Right since the script was written, Neeraj was very clear that he wanted this title. It’s the story that led us to the title.
Neeraj Pandey’s films are often inspired by real-life episodes. Does Sikandar Ka Muqaddar also fall into the same category?
No. This one is pure fiction. It has nothing to do with any real-life incident.
Neeraj Pandey said in an interview that they wanted to shoot the film in Abu Dhabi and other locations in India in a particular season and hence, had to race against time. Please tell us more about it…
We were looking at shooting in the winter in Abu Dhabi as well as in Agra. Due to certain reasons that cropped up during the production, we had to squeeze in a lot of work in a limited amount of time. That was a challenge. There was a particular timeline we wanted to finish the film and we managed to do so. The crew was hard-working and amazing. Even the actors were well-prepared.
How many days did it take to finish Sikandar Ka Muqaddar?
We shot in just 26 or 28 days.
The background score by Sanjoy Chowdhury is superb and adds to the tension. He has worked extensively worked with Neeraj Pandey in the past…
Sanjoy has been with us for a very long time. He also worked on Aiyaary (2018), M S Dhoni – The Untold Story (2016), Baby (2015), A Wednesday (2008), etc. He’s a talent in himself and a very talented technician. You cannot go wrong with him.
A trademark of Neeraj Pandey is that he loves taking long walking shots of actors…
He does so as it’s required for the story. He’s a very sharp filmmaker and he knows exactly what he wants.
You have worked extensively worked with Jimmy Sheirgill. In my opinion, he’s the best part about Sikandar Ka Muqaddar…
Jimmy is a very old friend and an excellent actor. When Neeraj wrote the script, Jimmy was the first name that came to his mind. It’s always a pleasure working with him.
Jimmy Sheirgill is known to not have a happily ever after ending with his female partners in films. Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is no exception as the character of Divya Dutta divorces him. Was this intentional?
(Laughs) No, it wasn’t. Yeh naya shuru hua ki Jimmy ko ladki nahin milti. I don’t know how it all began.
There’s been a history, be it Happy Bhag Jayegi (2016), Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster (2011), Hum Tum (2004), Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002)…
But in Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha (2024), he did get the lady, didn’t he? (smiles)
How was it working with Avinash Tiwary?
He has been around for quite some time and he’s doing some amazing work. We worked with him in Khakee: The Bihar Chapter and we consider him a very good actor. He jumped on the offer and happily came on board. I am sure he has a great future.
The film ends on a cliffhanger. Was this always the plan or did Neeraj Pandey ever think of an alternate ending?
Since the first draft was written, the film was intended to have an open ending. Now it is up to the people to think what must have happened (smiles).
Any plans for a sequel?
Why not? Never say never.
What does Friday Filmworks plan to offer to the audience in 2025?
We are coming up with Special Ops 2 and Khakee: The Bengal Chapter. We are also working on a couple of film projects but it’s too soon to speak about it.
The much-loved Baby (2015) will complete 10 years on January 23, 2025…
Thank you so much for reminding us. I had totally forgotten.
Any plans to re-release Baby?
No plans as of now but if we decide to re-release, we’ll definitely let you know.
Can we expect Baby 2? There were reports that you and Neeraj Pandey were working on developing it…
We were never working on the sequel. Again, you never know. If something comes up and if we think that it’s the right subject for Baby 2, we’d definitely love to make it.
You have worked extensively with Akshay Kumar. Any plans to make a film with him?
When we have the apt subject for him, we’d love to work with him again. He’s an amazing actor and also an amazing human being.
More Pages: Sikandar Ka Muqaddar Box Office Collection , Sikandar Ka Muqaddar Movie Review
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