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Sikandar Movie Review: It Is Salman Khan’s Waterloo!

Sikandar Is Salman Khan’s Waterloo

Rating: ½ star

Salman Khan’s new release is a travesty of all good taste and a mockery of all rational justification for a film to exist. It also shamelessly mocks Salman’s superstardom by giving him a screenplay, probably written as a joke by someone who has a grudge against him, which treats his royal character like some kind of a super-hero who was lobotomized by marauders when the haveli’s doors were open.

Salman’s Raja Saab, aka Sikandar and Sanjay(his parents were fans of Indian history and Sunil Dutt-Nargis, we are told) wears a single expression throughout. Even when he in acute pain(we know that feeling) he seems to be stress-free..Sab theek ho jayega, just chill.

This seems to Mr Khan’s motion picture motto.The rest of the team follows suit. Not one actor makes an effort to get into character for two reasons: the writing doesn’t allow them to. More importantly if the Bhai’s preferred mode of expression is stoicism, then the lesser mortals must follow the same route.

Actors like Sharman Joshi(playing Mr Khan’s mumbling adviser) , Kajal Aggarwal(playing…I am not too sure even she knows what) and Sathyaraj(playing Bhai’s growling nemesis) are lost in the crowd.As for Prateik Smita Patil, playing a brat who tries to molest a female passenger in the business class(a quality seriously missing in this brackish mocktale), Mom must be so proud of you!

In all fairness, director Murugadoss must have been given a simple brief: make sure the hero gets eulogized in every sequence, if not every frame.

The panegyrics flow like toothpaste from an uncapped tube: Raja Saab ki jai ho, woh insaan nahin devata hain, Raj Saab abhi aane wale hain …etc etc. I am not too sure if these exact words are used. But you get the drift?

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I certainly didn’t. After two-and-a-half hours of brain bashing the Saman-is-King-and-what-can-SRK-do about it brand of filmmaking begins to wear dangerously thin. The plot is overleden with activity: Salman is constantly on the move while the mood throughout remains obstinately inert, as if to mock the audience that believes Salman Khan should change. Why should he, when he is doing just fine?

The problem is, he is not! Even the staunchest Salmaniacs would cringe at the sheer gawkiness of the writing here. The first half is about Salman searching for three organ donees. This could make for a mildly diverting 7-episode series on Doordarshan…but a full-length feature film featuring one of India’s most beloved superstars?!

Salman needs a reality check. And this is not the time or place for it. Sikandar is like a lengthy misguided tilt of the topi to tinsel town’s Tipu Sultan. It is so awful that it makes Salman’s last Eid outing seem preferable…On second thoughts, both belong to the junkyard.

The only funny line(unintended) is when Sanjay Rajkot/Salman tries to talk in colloquial Hindi to a chawl boy and stops saying, “This language doesn’t suit me.”

Now, if only Salman Khan tried to find out what suits him. Rashmika Mandana who has been in a few blockbusters recently, doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.

About the Movie

“Sikandar,” the latest action thriller starring Salman Khan, has captivated audiences since its release on March 30, 2025. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film features Rashmika Mandanna as the female lead, marking her first collaboration with Khan. YouTube+10Wikipedia+10Bollywood Hungama+10

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Here are some lesser-known facts about “Sikandar”:

Reunion After a Decade: This film marks the reunion of Salman Khan and producer Sajid Nadiadwala after nearly ten years since their last collaboration on “Kick” in 2014. Wikipedia
Directorial First: Despite initial plans for Khan to star in Murugadoss’s “Ghajini” (2008), “Sikandar” is their first project together. Bollywood Hungama+9News24+9Wikipedia+9
International Filming: The movie was shot across multiple countries, including Portugal and other European locations, adding a global appeal to its visuals. Wikipedia
High Production Costs: With an estimated budget of ₹200 crore, “Sikandar” stands as one of the most expensive films produced by Nadiadwala and ranks among the costliest Indian films to date. Wikipedia+1Bollywood Hungama+1
Elaborate Sets: To authentically depict areas like Dharavi and Matunga, sets worth ₹15 crore were constructed in Mumbai. Wikipedia
Salman Khan’s Injury: During filming in September 2024, Khan sustained a rib injury but resumed shooting shortly after recovery. Wikipedia
Security Concerns: Production faced interruptions due to security threats directed at Khan, leading to enhanced on-set security measures. Wikipedia
Festive Dance Numbers: The film features elaborate dance sequences set against the backdrop of festivals like Eid and Holi, showcasing vibrant choreography with over 200 background dancers.
Train Action Sequence: A significant action scene involving a train was filmed with 350 extras on sets replicating Mumbai’s suburban areas.
Teaser Release: The official teaser, released three months prior to the film’s debut, offered audiences a glimpse into the high-octane action and intense drama of “Sikandar.”