"Bollywood Buzz: Salman Khan’s Sikandar – A Massy Comeback or a Missed Opportunity?"

    Introduction

Bollywood’s beloved “Bhai,” Salman Khan, is back with his latest Eid offering, Sikandar, released on March 30, 2025, just in time for Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss, known for hits like Ghajini and Holiday, this action-packed thriller promised a grand spectacle with Salman in his signature larger-than-life avatar. Co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, Sathyaraj, Kajal Aggarwal, and Prateik Babbar, the film has been one of the most anticipated releases of the year. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the Bollywood news swirling around Sikandar and a detailed movie review.

Bollywood News: The Hype and the Heat

The buildup to Sikandar was nothing short of a Bollywood extravaganza. Salman Khan, who has made Eid releases his personal playground, teased fans with glimpses of his chiseled physique and intense action sequences months before the release. The first poster, unveiled on his birthday, December 27, 2024, showcased him in a royal, commanding look, setting the tone for a film that aimed to blend mass appeal with a fresh narrative. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, the project boasted a stellar cast and a hefty budget, with whispers of lavish sets and a “banger album” by Pritam circulating in trade circles.

However, the road to release wasn’t without drama. Just days before hitting theaters, Sikandar fell victim to online piracy, with HD leaks threatening its box office haul. Despite this setback, Salman’s loyal fanbase rallied, helping the team remove over 3,000 pirated links, while the makers vowed legal action via the Cyber Cell. On the flip side, early advance bookings were lukewarm, clocking in at ₹6 crore by March 29, a far cry from rival films like Chhaava or L2: Empuraan. Trade analysts pegged an opening day estimate between ₹26-30 crore, respectable but not the ₹40-45 crore blockbuster start some had hoped for, especially given Salman’s storied Eid track record.

The buzz on X was electric yet polarized. Fans hailed it as “vintage Salman Khan,” with some calling it his best work since Tiger Zinda Hai, while detractors labeled it “outdated” and a “disaster.” Amidst this, Salman’s comments about the film’s guaranteed ₹100 crore haul—good or bad—added fuel to the conversation, underlining his unshakable star power.

Movie Review: Sikandar – The Good, The Bad, and The Bhai

Plot Overview

Sikandar introduces us to Sanjay Rajkot (Salman Khan), the revered “King of Rajkot,” a man who balances his royal duties with a deep love for his wife, Saisri (Rashmika Mandanna). The story kicks off with a high-octane airplane fight where Sanjay takes down Arjun (Prateik Babbar), the bratty son of corrupt politician Pradhan (Sathyaraj). Tragedy strikes when Saisri dies in an accident, and her organs are donated to three individuals in Mumbai. Driven by emotion, Sanjay sets out to protect these recipients, clashing with Pradhan’s sinister plans in a rollercoaster of action and sentiment.

The Good

Salman Khan is undeniably the heartbeat of Sikandar. His entry sequence—beating goons mid-flight—is pure massy bliss, designed to make theaters erupt with cheers. The emotional core, particularly his scenes with the organ recipients and the climax, hits hard, proving Salman can still tug at heartstrings when given the chance. Murugadoss brings his signature flair to the action, with standout sequences in a jail, train, and hospital that are bloody, brutal, and brilliantly choreographed. Rashmika Mandanna shines in her limited role, bringing warmth to Saisri, while the Gujarati dialogue “Kaayde mein raho, fayate mein raho” is a crowd-pleaser.

The film’s pacing in the first half is a thrill ride, balancing romance, action, and a unique organ donation angle that adds depth. Visually, it’s a treat—cinematographer Tirru captures the grandeur of Rajkot and the grit of Mumbai with finesse. For Salman fans, this is a nostalgic return to form, a reminder of why he’s Bollywood’s box office Sikandar.

The Bad

But here’s where the cracks show. The screenplay, penned by Murugadoss, feels like a rehash of Salman’s past hits—think Jai Ho meets Kick with a dash of Tiger. The second half drags, weighed down by predictable twists and an overreliance on Salman’s charisma to carry weak writing. Pritam’s music, hyped as a game-changer, disappoints; tracks like “Sikandar Naache” feel like a Shah Rukh Khan knockoff (Jhoome Jo Pathaan, anyone?), and “Bam Bam Bhole” lacks the festive punch of a classic Salman Holi song.

Rashmika’s character exits too early, leaving her chemistry with Salman underdeveloped. Supporting actors like Sathyaraj and Sharman Joshi are reduced to caricatures, while the villain arc feels formulaic. Critics have a point—this isn’t Murugadoss pushing boundaries like he did with Aamir Khan in Ghajini. It’s a safe, fan-service film that doesn’t dare to innovate.

Verdict

Sikandar is a mixed bag. For Salman Khan loyalists, it’s a paisa-vasool Eid treat—whistle-worthy moments, emotional highs, and that unbeatable “Bhai” swag. But for those seeking a fresh cinematic experience, it’s a letdown, stuck in a time warp of Bollywood’s mass-hero formula. It’s not a disaster, but it’s not a masterpiece either. Salman’s star power ensures it’ll cross ₹100 crore (he wasn’t kidding!), but in 2025, when audiences crave novelty, Sikandar feels like a king who’s resting on his laurels.

Rating: 2.5/5

A massy comeback for Salman, but a missed chance to reign supreme.

Sources of News

• The Times of India: “Sikandar Movie Review & Release Live update: Salman Khan’s starrer off to underwhelming start with Rs 26 crore debut” (March 31, 2025).
• Indian Express: “Sikandar Movie Review & Rating: In ‘Sikandar’, director AR Murugadoss and actor Salman Khan flounder spectacularly” (March 31, 2025).
• Bollywood Hungama: “Sikandar Box Office Estimate Day 1: Salman Khan starrer takes an average start; opens at Rs. 30 crores” (March 30, 2025).
• Oneindia News: “Sikandar First Review Out: Salman Khan, Rashmika Mandanna Film Declared a ‘Superhit, Paisa Vasool’” (March 29, 2025).
• News18: “Sikandar Movie Review: Salman Khan And Rashmika Mandanna Starrer Solely Relies On Bhai’s Mass-Appeal” (March 30, 2025).
• Posts on X: Sentiment and fan reactions gathered from various users discussing Sikandar’s release and reviews (March 30-31, 2025).

Dr. Mayank Chandrakar is a writer also. My first book "Ayurveda Self Healing: How to Achieve Health and Happiness" is available on Kobo and Instamojo. You can buy and read. 

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