Sikandar Movie Reviews

Salman Khan’s Eid Release – A Blend of Action and Emotion

Salman Khan’s latest action thriller, Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss, hit theaters on March 30, 2025, coinciding with the festive season of Eid. Promoted as a mass entertainer, the film boasts an impressive cast including Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar. While it promised a mix of adrenaline-pumping action and emotional depth, the film has received mixed reviews. Let’s delve into a detailed analysis of Sikandar.

Plot Summary

The story follows Sanjay Rajkot (Salman Khan), a fierce young man who takes on the persona of "Sikandar," a protector of the common people. The plot kicks off with Sanjay clashing with Arjun Pradhan (Prateik Babbar), the son of a corrupt politician, Pradhan (Sathyaraj). This rivalry sets off a chain of events that leads to tragedy when Sanjay’s wife, Saisri (Rashmika Mandanna), sacrifices her life to save him.

In the second half, the narrative shifts focus as Sanjay embarks on an emotional journey to meet the recipients of his late wife’s organ donations. However, his mission is fraught with obstacles as he faces retaliation from Pradhan and his son. While the film attempts to balance action, emotion, and social commentary, it struggles to maintain cohesion in its storytelling.

Performances

Salman Khan

Salman Khan takes on a dual role as Sanjay and Sikandar. While his action sequences are packed with his trademark flair, his emotional scenes lack the depth needed to connect with audiences. His performance feels inconsistent in moments requiring vulnerability.

Rashmika Mandanna

Rashmika Mandanna delivers a heartfelt performance as Saisri. Her presence brings warmth to the narrative, but her screen time is limited, leaving her character underutilized.

Supporting Cast

Sathyaraj portrays the antagonist Pradhan convincingly but falls into the trope of being a stereotypical corrupt politician. Prateik Babbar does a fair job as Arjun Pradhan but doesn’t stand out. Kajal Aggarwal and Sharman Joshi have minimal impact due to their underdeveloped roles.

Direction and Screenplay

AR Murugadoss, known for films like Ghajini and Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, aims to combine mass appeal with emotional storytelling in Sikandar. However, the screenplay struggles to balance its various subplots effectively. The first half sets up an engaging premise but quickly becomes predictable. The second half suffers from pacing issues and fails to deliver the emotional depth it promises.

The dialogues alternate between impactful and awkwardly delivered lines, with some transitions between Hindi and English feeling forced. The rivalry between Sanjay and Pradhan forms the backbone of the story but lacks originality or complexity.

Action Sequences

The film’s action scenes are one of its highlights. The stunts are well-choreographed and visually impressive, catering to Salman Khan’s fanbase. However, excessive use of slow-motion effects diminishes their overall impact. While some sequences provide thrilling moments for viewers, others feel repetitive.

Music and Background Score

Pritam’s music adds vibrancy to the film with tracks like "Zohra Jabeen" and "Bam Bam Bhole." Although these songs are visually appealing, they fail to contribute significantly to the narrative. Santhosh Narayanan’s background score successfully builds tension during key moments but lacks memorability.

Cinematography and Visuals

The cinematography captures grand visuals that enhance the film's larger-than-life tone. Action sequences set against urban landscapes are particularly well-executed. However, some CGI elements appear rushed and detract from the overall viewing experience.

Strengths

1. Mass Appeal: Salman Khan’s star power ensures plenty of crowd-pleasing moments.

2. Action: The stunts are well-crafted and engaging.

3. Music: Songs like "Zohra Jabeen" add energy to the film.

4. Rashmika Mandanna: Her performance stands out despite limited screen time.

Weaknesses

1. Disjointed Screenplay: The narrative feels fragmented due to poorly integrated subplots.

2. Lack of Emotional Connection: Key scenes fail to evoke genuine emotion.

3. Predictable Storyline: The plot lacks surprises or twists.

4. Underutilized Cast: Talented actors like Kajal Aggarwal are given little scope to shine.

Audience Reaction

The audience response has been divided:

• Fans have praised Salman Khan’s entry scene as "electrifying" while appreciating his dance moves and dialogues.

• Others have criticized the film for its lackluster storytelling and emotional disconnect.

• Overseas viewers have described it as "formulaic," citing its lack of innovation.

• Despite mixed reviews, fan celebrations during key moments have turned theaters into festive zones.

Box Office Performance

Sikandar opened with strong pre-sales, selling over 2 lakh tickets across India before release day. Initial estimates suggest that it could collect ₹28 crore on its opening day alone. However, it faces competition from Mohanlal’s Empuraan, which released around the same time.

Critical Reception

Critics have been less forgiving in their reviews:

• Some have called it one of Salman Khan’s weaker performances in recent years due to its lack of emotional depth or originality.

• Others appreciated its entertainment value but criticized its inability to offer anything new in terms of storytelling or execution.

• Ratings range widely from 1.5/5 to 4/5 depending on whether critics prioritized entertainment or substance.

Conclusion: A Mixed Bag

Sikandar is a typical Salman Khan movie designed for his loyal fanbase but struggles to stand out in terms of storytelling or execution. While it delivers high-energy entertainment through action-packed sequences and catchy music, it falls short in creating an emotionally compelling cinematic experience.

Who Should Watch It?

Fans of Salman Khan or those who enjoy masala entertainers with plenty of action will likely find Sikandar enjoyable.

Who Should Skip It?

Viewers seeking strong narratives or innovative filmmaking may find this movie underwhelming.

Final Rating: 2/5 Stars

Sikandar is an average entertainer that relies heavily on Salman Khan’s charisma but fails to deliver a memorable cinematic experience overall.