The anticipation reached a fever pitch as Salman Khan fans filled theaters nationwide for the release of ‘Sikandar,’ the latest film from the beloved Bollywood superstar. Released on March 30, ‘Sikandar’ is being touted as the perfect Eid viewing experience, combining mass appeal with the quintessential Salman Khan charisma. The film’s debut was marked by enthusiastic fan reactions, with many taking to social media to proclaim it a ‘paisa vasool’ experience, ensuring an engaging ride filled with signature Salman moments.
The first day of screenings experienced an overwhelming wave of praise across platforms, particularly on X (previously known as Twitter), with fans expressing their exhilaration in droves. One ecstatic fan posted, “No fan of #SalmanKhan will pass without liking. #Sikandar is released in cinemas. Blockbuster Blockbuster.” Another chimed in with, “#SikandarReview. Mass entertainer, heartwarming story, #SalmanKhan acting at a mass level never seen before. BGM song too massy like #Jawan. Paisa wasool movie, go watch the first day first show only.”
The excitement wasn’t limited to India. International fans shared similar sentiments. One tweet from Iowa, USA, read, “Watched #Sikandar with friends and sabko movie dekh ke ‘kick’ mila. Emotional angles are present, but after years there’s a STRONG reason behind them in Bhai’s movie. OMG.. BGM. Gonna watch it again with my family.”
‘Sikandar,’ directed by AR Murugadoss and marking Salman Khan’s big Eid return, also stars Rashmika Mandanna, Sharman Joshi, Prateik Babbar, Anjini Dhawan, and Kajal Aggarwal. Salman Khan shares the screen space with Rashmika for the first time, and their chemistry is being lauded by fans. The film’s standout elements include the gripping action sequences, emotional depth, and the star’s quintessential ‘mass’ performance style, complemented by AR Murugadoss’ impactful direction.
Industry insiders are already celebrating the movie’s commercial success, with reports indicating that ‘Sikandar’ has crossed the Rs 8 crore mark in advance bookings alone. According to Sacnilk, the film shattered prior records, selling over one lakh tickets and collecting Rs 8.81 crore before it even began showing in theaters. This financial feat has set a high bar for success, raising expectations for its box office performance over the coming weeks.
Cinematography by S. Thirunavukarasu and editing by Vivek Harshan have further enriched the cinematic experience, presenting ‘Sikandar’ as a visual spectacle. The dynamic soundtrack, composed by Pritam with lyrics by Sameer, plays an equally critical role, while the background score by renowned South Indian composer Santhosh Narayanan heightens the film’s intensity.
Some reviews offer a nuanced take, acknowledging that while the film is well made, it may not surpass all of Salman Khan’s previous hits. An analysis noted, “The core plot point is interesting, but action scenes could have been better instead of slo-mo shots.” Nevertheless, the presence of notable South cinema actresses Rashmika, Kajal Aggarwal, and Dhanya Balakrishna adds a refreshing layer, albeit the film lacks standout blockbuster songs by some accounts.
Bringing together traditional elements of a Bollywood masala movie with fresh inputs, ‘Sikandar’ positions itself as a film both uniting long-time fans and potentially drawing new audiences into the fold. As the film industry continues to navigate varied challenges, stakeholders highlight the detrimental effects of film print piracies, raising an essential call to action for fans to support legal screenings, preserving the painstaking efforts of the cast and production teams.
As ‘Sikandar’ continues its theatrical journey, fans and industry watchers alike eagerly await further box office reports, speculating how it might rank amongst Salman Khan’s past blockbusters. Despite mixed commentaries, the film’s passionate reception undeniably marks it as a memorable spectacle in the actor’s illustrious career. The excitement surrounding Salman Khan’s charismatic portrayal, supported by a robust creative team, affirms ‘Sikandar’ as a landmark addition to the festive cinematic landscape, celebrating both art and stardom.
