Muqaddar Ka Sikandar released in the year 1978 and was the third film that Prakash Mehra and Amitabh Bachchan made together as a director-actor combination. It turned out to be the highest grosser of the year and went on to become the most successful film of the decade. As a commercial pot boiler it had all the right ingredients-dramatic story, tight screenplay, great actors and stars and a tremendous musical score.
A boy is orphaned at a very young age and has to face the hard world alone as he struggles to make a living. He works in the house of a wealthy lawyer named Ramnath who does not show the poor orphan any mercy. Ramnath’s daughter Kamya however sympathises with the boy and the two become friends. Eventually this orphaned boy is adopted by a Muslim lady named Fatima who also works for Fatima. He is given a new name-Sikandar. On the occasion of Kaamna’s birthday, Sikandar steals an expensive doll to gift it to his friend but Ramnath refuses him to enter the party. Sikandar tries to sneak into Kaamna’s room to leave the doll behind but is caught and he and his adopted mother are thrown out of the house.
Shortly thereafter Fatima dies making Sikandar an orphan twice over. However now he has the responsibility of looking after Fatima’s daughter Mehroo. As Sikandar cries by his mother’s grave a fakir comes to him and tells him to embrace the ups and downs of life with equal nonchalance for then he would conquer fate. This become’s young Sikandar’s mantra for life. He grows up to be a handsome young man who has amassed a fortune by turning in smuggled goods to the police and receiving the reward payouts. He is now the master of an impressive house and the owner of a profitable business.
Sikandar still loves Kaamna and tries to anonymously support her family as they have fallen upon hard times. He tries to talk to her and express his love but she snubs him. Upset by her behaviour he drowns himself in alcohol and visits a nautch girl by the name of Zhora (Rekha). In the meantime he has also struck up a friendship with a struggling Advocate, Vishal (Vinod Khanna) who saves his life one night. He introduces Vishal to Ramnath and the two starts working together. Eventually Vishal and Kaamna fall in love. On the other hand Zohra’s growing affinity towards Sikandar angers one of her admirers Dilawar (Amjad Khan), a hardcore criminal. Soon it is time for love and friendship to be tested. Whether Vishal and Kaamna get together; whether Zohra finds her true love and what happens to Sikandar,forms the climax of the film. It is truly a very entertaining film with some great acting and wonderful songs.
Songs from the movie:
1. Dil To Hai Dil (link)
2. O Saathi Re (link)
3. Pyar Zindagi Hai (link)
4. Rote Hue Aate Hain Sab (link)
5. Salam E Ishq Meri (link)
