Sikandar

Sikandar Raza is a 14 year old schoolboy in Kashmir. Ever since his parents were killed by militants 10 years back, he has lived with his aunt and uncle, in a small town in Kashmir. All Sikandar's desires revolve around the happiness of his foster parents, and getting the ball into the goal on the football field. One day, on his way home from a school football match, Sikandar finds a gun lying on the path. Despite admonishments by his newly made school friend, the 14 year old Nasreen, Sikandar picks up the gun, and thus begins a journey into the darker side of his nature. The quiet yet strong Nasreen becomes Sikandar's conscience keeper. She tries to dissuade him from giving in to the lure of the gun. However, all is not what it seems. Sikandar gets embroiled further and further in situations beyond his control, and people get killed. At first it seems that the happenings occurring alongside Sikandar's predicament are not connected. But, as layer upon layer unravels, it becomes clear that Sikandar is the innocent victim in a game being played out between the militants, the army, the peace bartering politicians and the religious heads of the little Kashmiri town. The pieces of the puzzle come together at the very end, leading to a shocking revelation.

SIKANDAR is a co-production between BIG Pictures with filmmaker Sudhir Mishra's production house - CineRaas Ltd. The film is ready to thrill the audiences worldwide in theaters on 27th March 2009.

Piyush Jha, who has earlier directed comedies like KING OF BOLLYWOOD and CHALO AMERICA, has written and directed this suspense thriller which has an undercurrent of terrorism to it. The film stars Parzaan Dastur, the adorable little Sardar from the film KUCHH KUCHH HOTA HAI, now in his teens, Ayesha Kapur of BLACK fame as she makes her come back as a lead actress this time along with R. Madhavan, Sanjay Suri and Arunoday Singh in key roles. The music of the film has been scored by Sandesh Shandiliya, Justin-Uday and Shankar - Ehsaan - Loy where the lyrics have been contributed by Prasoon Joshi, Neelesh Misra and Kumaar. The film has been majorly shot in Kashmir, India.

SIKANDAR is a film about a young boy who has a dream to play football for the National team. It's about his aspirations and challenges and how his life unfolds when one fine day he finds a GUN on his way to school and what follows. SIKANDAR is a suspense thriller, which also deals with the exploitation and manipulation of innocent people in a place which has witnessed decades of violence and insurgency.

According to the director the Film deals with violence, but the central theme of the film is that of peace. The film does not have a jingoistic or partisan point of view, and does not take sides, except the side of humanity. The film is unapologetically culturally specific, reflecting the sense of social anxiety and alienation of the people of Kashmir. But, it is only as successful as it is rooted in showing complex characters, and telling a complete story that transcends geography.

Sikandar is a forthcoming Hindi film (to be released on 27 march 2009). The film, which features Parzan Dastur in the lead role with R. Madhavan, Sanjay Suri, Ayesha Kapoor in pivotal roles amongst others is written and directed by Piyush Jha, while the film is produced by Sudhir Mishra. The film has terrorism in Kashmir as its backdrop. The film was previously known in its production stages as Foot Soldier. The film is set for release in May 2009.

The film is a suspense thriller, which tells the story of a 14 year old schoolboy Sikander living in Kashmir with his uncle and aunt. One day, on his way home, from a school football match, Sikandar finds a gun lying on the path, This changes his life forever.