Shikar-480P

A superior class suspense movie. A murder mystery. Everyone played their parts well but Johny Walker is a man to watch out for. Dharmendra looks dashing. Watch this movie to find why he was considered (or say rumored) to be one of the top 10 handsome men in world during his hay days. Awesome music by Shankar Jaikishan for songs; 1) Parde Mein Rahne Do, 2) Tumhare Pyar Mein Hum, 3) Jabse Laagi To Se Nazariya, 4) Meri Sarkar Meri Aahon Ka and few more. The movie had won 4 Filmfare Awards in 1969; Best Supporting Actor (Sanjeev Kumar), Best Playback Singer Female (Asha Bhosale for Paede Mein Rahne Do), Best Comedian (Johny Walker) and Best Sound Recording (P.Thackersey)

Probably it may fall short when compared to classics such as Woh Kaun Thi, Teesri Manzil, Jewel Thief in the same genre, but Shikar is a distinctly well made thriller set against the jungle backdrop. Like all thrillers, there is a mystery, in Shikar it is the murder of the hero Ajay's boss and good friend Naresh (Ramesh Deo). The needle of suspicion falls alternately on the mysterious lady who had an accident near Ajay's house and who disappears without a trace (Asha Parekh), Naresh's secretary and erstwhile girlfriend Veera (Helen, playing the coquette as usual) and the ex commissioner's daughter Kiran Sharma (Asha Parekh) by virtue of her resemblance to the vanishing lady. There is another lady in the mix, Vimla Devi who claims to be the actual murderess, without any motive whatsoever. The line of suspects get longer with Ranbir, who is related to Veera somehow and who wants her to inherit Naresh's wealth. After encountering clues and red herrings galore, the investigating officer Rai (Sanjeev Kumar, in an excellent supporting role) and Ajay manage to clear all loose ends and catch the actual culprit. Since the murder mystery is the plot driver, the romance takes a back seat. And yet we have some amazing numbers in the movie, beginning with the apposite "Parde Mein Rehne Do", wherein Ajay first encounters his mysterious lady after the accident only to find out that he is mistaken and she is Kiran. Then there is the Rafi solo "Tumhare Pyar Mein Hum Bekaraar Hoke Chale", the breezy one by Mahendra Kapoor "Mere Sarkar meri aahon ka asar" with trailing lines by Ms.Parekh herself, The Lata - Asha duet "Jabse lagi tose nazariya" ... Dharamendra is perfectly cast as Ajay Singh, he can do the dashing rescuer, the determined investigator, the charming lover boy whatever the role demands him to be at that time with élan. Asha Parekh's Kiran is a perfect foil to Ajay's debonair charm, she plays the now aware now confused Kiran well. And kudos to the styling and clothes artists who've worked with her and Helen, both ladies look impeccable in every frame. Sanjeev Kumar, Johnny Walker and Rehman are all good in their supporting roles. And Helen is well Helen. Overall a nice watch on a lazy afternoon or evening.....

Wildlife Manager Ajay Singh finds his friend, Naresh is murdered and informs police inspector Rai, but all the evidence is tampered with at the crime scene and as a result the murderer becomes difficult to trace. From here on, Ajay's life takes a new turn in trying to find the culprit who has murdered Naresh. In the process he meets a young woman, Kiran, whom Ajay had seen at the murder spot with the murder weapon. She is the daughter of a respectable person. Next time he sees her at the stage dancing and she has some crucial evidence that might lead Ajay to the culprit who has murdered alcoholic and womanizer Naresh. An engaging murder mystery from start to end with Dharmendra playing detective as well as romancing Asha Parekh. The mystery of Parekh found near the murder spot is well done, so is the rest with each character being focused on. There aren't many suspects, but it still works in keeping one engrossed. The comedy interlude is kept short, the songs are great, the forest locations are well shot.

Whodunnit in bollywood is tricky in the sense that not everyone gets it right. There are classics, of course, which do perfect justice to this genre. Somehow when one mentions whodunit this does not top the list which is a pity since this is a decent addition to that genre. Essentially a murder mystery with events surrounding it, Shikar plays it fairly well and maintains a good hold over suspense right till the end with fair share of twists and turns to keep the viewer guessing all along. The songs were the only draggy part in an otherwise well knit yarn.The pace is even and viewer gets engrossed right from the beginning.The jungle backdrop both adds to the atmosphere as well as the story. Dharmendra suits the role of a hero who is both brawny and charming in ways people are used to seeing him on screen. But as the the brains of this establishment and the investigation, Sanjeev Kumar's role cannot be discounted as well and he carries it out with perfect finesse. Asha Parekh plays out the part of damsel perfectly well. Helen as usual plays the role of the vamp with élan .The other characters do well in their parts. With enough surprises and red herrings this movie is a worthy enough addition to mystery genre. If you love mysteries you shouldn't skip this.

Handsome Dharmendra and a young Asha parekh assisted by Johnny walker find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery in Jungle/ estate where there a no of red herrings thrown for you to chew on.. The songs are quite good but are quite too many for a thriller, but in 70' who was complaining? Sanjeev Kumar plays a Police inspector in charge of this case quite ably where he is baffled by an unusually nosy ex-Police Commissioner played by Rehman. Helen plays the coquettish moll very well and looks really seductive in some scenes.. On the flip side, They shoot a tiger and dance around its carcass. whoever had heard of animal rights and anti-hunting laws then? Johnny walker's too many 'average' comedy tracks here eat up screen time! All in all, a paisa vasool thriller...a 7/10.