Sikandar Movie Review: The Eid 2025 release, Sikandar, starring Salman Khan, was one of the most awaited releases, having released on March 30, brimful of action and panache one expects from the iconic Bollywood star. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film stars a glittering array of actors, including Rashmika Mandanna, Sathyaraj, and Sharman Joshi.
But despite very high expectations being tied to Salman Khan’s Eid tradition, Sikandar fails to live up, disappointing critics and viewers alike with an outdated formula and flat execution. It may try to juxtapose mass appeal with emotional richness, but it eventually sinks under the weight of a bad script and predictably hoary tropes, leaving very few marks in the illustrious history of Khan films.
A Tired Plot That Lacks Freshness
This is the tale of Salman Khan as Sanjay Rajkot, also known as Sikandar, who is a fiery crusader against corruption and injustice. After a tragic accident takes the life of his wife (Rashmika Mandanna), organs are donated to three such individuals, and soon they form the target of a corrupt minister (Sathyaraj) and his horde. Sikandar takes on the self-appointed task of protecting them by delivering justice with fists and one-liners. All these sound good enough on paper to have serious emotional undercurrents and heroic crescendos, but the place where the whole thing ultimately falls apart is execution.
The screenplay here feels lazy and formulaic, influencing scenes from the past Salman movies like Jai Ho and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. Most of the scenes go on and on, but they do not stir up much movement. Emotional beats meant to tug at heartstrings sound more out to dry and hollow. Murugadoss seems to have dropped out of flavor, the sort of flavor that was so memorable for him writing his first story in Ghajini. This was nothing more than an ordinary, stale film.
Salman’s Star Power Can’t Salvage the Show
The very presence of Salman Khan has been his own trump card that can elevate the meanest of scripts with his sheer charisma. In Sikandar, however, he seems very disinterested in the role, walking through it in scenes with a yawning monotony, giving it the least of his efforts. Whereas the action scenes were choreographed well, they do not stand up to expectations: on any normal Eid celebration, there should be some awe-inspiring moments. Salman does have swagger in spades here, but it is almost textbook—like clockwork; nothing about it screams Salman owning that particular moment on screen.
Under Rashmika Mandanna’s shining presence as the love interest, there is really very little for the actress to do except a few songs, tearful glances, and very little chemistry to help anchor their romance. The supporting actors, Sharman Joshi and Prateik Babbar, give their best, but the script gives them too little space to showcase their talent. The film relies on Salman Khan’s star power, and that is also too weak to cover its flaws.
Sikandar Movie Review: A Missed Opportunity for Reinvention
Sikandar has arrived during a time wherein Bollywood is dabbling with bold narrative ideas and other such so-called limits, and yet it still holds onto an age-old formula that no longer works. The music by Pritam and Santhosh Narayanan is mediocre and below the par of usual foot-tapping Disco numbers endowed on Salman flicks. It is a treat for the eyes with some great moments such as the opening in mid-air, but overshadowed by repetitive slow-motion shots and cliché goon-flinging action.
Critics have deemed it “uninspired” and “predictable,” and for once, the hysteria among fandom might not drown out the cries of disappointment. Sikandar could have been a moment for Salman to reinvent his image; instead, it serves as a reminder that even the biggest stars require some good storytelling to truly shine. More like disappointment than celebration this Eid.
