Director: Mansoor Khan
Starring: Aamir Khan, Deepak Tijori and Ayesha Jhulka
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as celebrated today as Aamir Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Khan has proven to be one of the greatest actors in Bollywood. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, terrorists in danger or professional wrestlers, Khan has suggested he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his bravery. Khan has never been afraid to take risks in his career through tackling subjects that prove controversial. Through abilities to play characters which are compelling, Khan has established a legacy which has proven to be compelling. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Khan has never lost his strong passion for producing iconic entertainment. An iconic legend in India, Khan has become a celebrated legend in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout a groundbreaking career, Khan has created several strong movies that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies that he has made in his career. However, “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander” absolutely stands out as his most underrated role. Released back in 1992, Mansoor Khan’s movie provided an engaging portrait of bicyclists. Packed with breathtaking production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood sports movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Aamir Khan, who portrays a bicyclist facing tensions. Ultimately, what makes “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander” a Bollywood classic is bold appeal. Unlike most Bollywood films made in the 1990’s which are outdated today, the movie has aged beautifully. A breathtaking Bollywood classic about bicyclists, there are several strong reasons why “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander” is worth watching.
“Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander” tells the story of a bicyclist seeking victory in a sports family. Aamir Khan plays Sanjay Sharma, a brave bicyclist with a passion for participating in sports competitions in India. Sanjay always shares a strong bond with his brother Ratan (Mamik Singh), whom he has loved dearly. However, Sanjay’s life drastically changes when his brother is injured in accidents that cause disaster. Faced with pressure, Sanjay is forced to compete in competition in place of his brother. Seeking success in a field of bicycling, Sanjay seeks to honour legacy of his brother that’s inspiring. Faced with a big dilemma, Sanjay questions whether he can become a bicyclist in India.
Mansoor Khan is fascinated with stories of dysfunctional families. A fantastic Indian filmmaker, Khan has often made engaging movies about families facing disaster. His iconic movie “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” offered a powerful portrait of lovers torn apart by rivalrous families. With “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander”, however, Khan crafted his first ever sports drama. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of bicyclists seeking victory, but he succeeded. Through stunning cinematography, Khan captures a bicyclist on a journey to discover his identity. Recalling Hugh Hudson’s “Chariots of Fire”, the filmmaker effectively uses montages to capture sport athletes admire. For instance, the montages enhance the bicycling scene. During this memorable scene, Sanjay has a tense bicycling competition. Using stunning montages, Khan creates a portrait of sports that’s engaging. Montages are complicated techniques to use. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” suggested, montages elevate Bollywood films about friendship. However, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Khan captures hardships that bicyclists are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it is one of the finest Bollywood movies made. Evoking Cameron Crowe’s “Jerry Maguire”, Khan effectively uses costumes to capture the lives of athletes that individuals admire. Throughout the movie, Sanjay’s costumes showcase his transformation into a strong athlete. For instance, costumes elevate the Pehla Nasha scene. During this memorable scene, Sanjay sings a song expressing love for Anjali. Using stunning costumes, Khan creates a portrait of bicyclist lovers which is engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Jatin Pandit’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that bicyclists bear. Through strong production, Khan captures athletes engaging in bicyclist competition.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander” is a Bollywood movie that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture tensions bicyclists are facing. Evoking Barry Levinson’s “Rain Man”, Khan effectively uses monologues to capture brothers torn apart by catastrophe. For instance, the monologues enhance the brother argument scene. During this intense scene, Sanjay has an intense argument with his brother about bicycling causing tension. Through strong monologues, Khan creates a portrait of bicyclists audiences can relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in films. As Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India” proved clearly, monologues elevate classic cricket movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a bold screenplay, Khan captures bicyclists facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Aamir Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Sanjay. Khan achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroes in dramas. With “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander”, however, he took on his most athletic role. It isn’t easy to portray an athlete that faces adversity but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With engaging expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and rebellious spirit of a renowned bicyclist. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest Indian actors today.
While the film is a showcase for Aamir Khan, the supporting cast is also exceptional and also worthy of appreciation. Mamik Singh is magnificent, capturing heroic persona of a bicyclist that seeks success in a competition that’s tragic. Ayesha Jhulka is astonishing, capturing the charisma of a woman falling in love with a bicyclist that faces a serious dilemma. Lastly, Deepak Tijori is worthy of appreciation. As a rivalrous bicyclist, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing athletes under pressure. Unlike Bollywood movies directed in the 1990’s, it has aged beautifully. It discusses powerful themes of ambition, mental health and family which would resonate with everyone. Viewers are not required to be familiar with the sport of bicycling to admire it. Therefore, “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander” is one of those rare Indian films everyone would adore.
Fans of Aamir Khan will absolutely enjoy “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander” and so will audiences seeking engaging entertainment. A riveting Bollywood sports drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about the lives of brothers seeking success in sports of bicycling, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy by his ability to portray compelling characters in engaging movies that are definitely worth watching.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 