'Shikhar' is a game of lust and power where innocent is tamed for converting land into multidimensional skyscrapers. The film brings out the over-ambitious builder on the one hand, an idealistic benevolent saint and his ambitious son whose life toggles between his father's ideology and his desirers for wealth, on the other. The fight of nature's wealth against unstoppable "bulldozer" is director John M Mathan's second endeavor on celluloid. The fight of nature versus "bulldozers" metaphors the thought provoking theme that gets commercially packaged in 'Shikhar'. It's an attempt where commercial contents like candy floss love stories; high pitched socialite lifestyle and trendy music is infused in conceiving this socially relevant concept. Unlike his first 'Sarfarosh's political syndrome it is microscopic about builders' lobby and their happenings. Hard hitting and socially relevant cinema has got strong foothold and this happens to be its product.
'Shikhar' is a contemporary tale where wine, woman and wealth dictate terms in today's world. The deep-rooted corruption gets enlightened and an insatiable greed to excel makes it a war of man against man. The land mafia has been forayed as the backdrop of this film with the experienced campaigner like Ajay Devgan as the leading man. Pakistan's leading actor Jawed Sheikh makes promising presence after some disappointing on screen performances by his counterpart actress Meera in Bollywood.
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Director John Mathew Mathan returns to the mainstream cinema after a long gap of five years makes. Mathan's first directorial attempt 'Sarfarosh' (Best Film (critics) - 1999) clocked success and it was ironically Aamir Khan's first successful action film. In the absence of Aamir Khan he has shouldered his next project on Ajay Devgan and the actor delivers another useful performance after 'Apaharan'. The cosmopolitan city of Mumbai has always been known for the land mafia and land grabbing cases in a number of films. The list is endless but the concept is relevant and thought-provoking. The director's journey from the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats ('Sarfarosh') to the nexus of builders' lobby with political system ('Shikhar') has been extensive, investigative and exhaustive. John M Mathan has been successful in plotting narrative and enthralling script in his second attempt. Unlike Prakash Jha ('Apaharan'), the director has been suave and sophisticated in visualizing the conflict of rich and powerful with the idealist and poor.
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'Shikhar' is the story about the over-ambitious dreams of multi-billionaire Gaurav Gupta alias GG (Ajay Devgan). He has insatiable desire of building his money empire and has Natasha (Bipasha Basu) as his love interest. He desires to build his dream project "Golden Gate City" on the rural locations of heavily harvested land of the Soangadh village. He seeks the help of cunning and treacherous minister Amrit Patel (Manoj Joshi) in this plan. Patel blackmails Chief Minister (Suresh Rege) and saves the state government from no-confidence motion against it and grabs Rural Development Ministry.
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GG's prosperous plan of building magnanimous cosmopolitan city at this rural land gets underway in a big way. He invests astronomical amount in getting this plan converted into reality. The problem arises due to "Rishi Van"--- an orphanage and a living place for tribals and inhabitants. Guruji (Jawed Sheikh) runs this holy place and gets the love and respect of the villagers. GG and minister Patel offer villagers reasonable amount to sell off their land. Naked greed encourages them and the whole area gets under their command. Guruji has intelligent and ambitious son Jaidev (Shaahid Kapur), who has graduated in horticulture and tissue technology.
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Madhavi (Amrita Rao) is Jaidev's childhood friend and she nurses love for him. Bhajan Lal (Sushant Singh) and Kusum (Farah) are Guruji's most obedient disciples. They share strong bond of love and affection and it shows in their dedication towards "Rishi Van" ashram. GG's plan of building "GG City" gets severely jolted when Guruji slaps stay order on the construction. GG gets in a financial trouble from his investors and plans to sort out matters. He offers Jaidev partnership in his branded fashion range. The lucrative business offer is accepted and they plan for an advertising campaign in Thailand. In the meanwhile, Jaidev along with Kusum and Madhavi, are geared up to attend seminars on horticulture developments. GG tries to entice Jaidev by encouraging his closeness with Natasha.
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He even encourages Jaidev to act as model for his upcoming fashion range. One day GG narrates his future plan of building "GG City" to Jaidev and pursues him to help him in constructing his dream project. Jaidev approaches his father Guruji but he refuses to settle terms with GG. The evil and wicked mind of GG and minister Patel start playing foul and they try to malign Jaidev's image. Guruji feels ashamed and leaves ashram and this upsets everybody. Jaidev gets the taste of his medicine as he gets deceived by GG. He realizes his mistakes and tries to rehabilitate tribal people. In a hot pursuit to complete his project, GG tries to destroy ashram's store and vegetation but fails. The truth is unveiled and the film ends on a happy note.
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In terms of performance, 'Shikhar' belongs to Ajay Devgan and Jawed Sheikh. Ajay impresses in dark shades once again after delivering brilliant performance in his recently released 'Apaharan'. The actor shows maturity in carrying the film on his shoulders. After the debacle of Pakistani actress Meera, Pakistani actor Jawed Sheikh impresses by playing a pivotal role. The effective dialogue delivery with positive body language speaks for his acting prowess.
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Bipasha Basu looks stunning and delivers her part well. The contemporary model looks make her picture perfect in balancing glamour quotient of the film. Shaahid Kapoor looks competent once again and delivers decent performance. The budding actor has been relegated to the back seat and his fans will be disappointed in this submissive character. Amrita Rao shows great promise and impresses without make-up too. The shy and demure actress shows her acting skills in emotional scenes. Sushant Singh is best among the rest of the cast and Farah impresses after long time. Manoj Joshi and Suresh Rege fit into characters well.
Jagjit Singh-rendered "Tu Hai Shikhar" is mesmerizing, impressive and justifies the theme of the film. "Mere Man" is another song that entertains and is choreographed aesthetically. "Dheere Dheere" and "Fitna Dil" are foot tapping but not catchy.
The cinematography by AK Bir is another promising feature that allures audiences. In comparison to 'Sarfarosh', the music of 'Shikhar' sounds less effective but fits into the script well.
John M Mathan has endeavored into a territory where not many films have been conceived. The film is another fine piece of fiction where real facts have been collaged well. The director's perception of social evils like match-fixing and money laundering is absorbed potentially in the script. The film has some loose ends and the climax looks unbelievable.
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How the court judgment is accepted so sporadically in the end? The characterization of Guruji and GG needs more stability and dimensions. How does the venue of seminar shift from Singapore to Thailand without valid reason? The director has been too plaintive in approach and the film falls low on humor and glamour quotient. The film will attract quality audiences but won't attract ordinary movie buffs. The film and the director deserve applause for being socially relevant, but the film needs good mouth publicity for its commercial success. It is expected that the film will fare well at multiplexes but its fate in small centers is uncertain.
