Salman Khan is back, and his latest film, Sikandar, marks a significant return to the big screen. Released today in Indian cinemas, the timing coincides with Eid on March 31, promising heightened box office collections. Excitement among his fans is palpable, with social media abuzz following special screenings in the UAE. One enthusiastic fan from Holland praised Bhai’s comeback after Tiger 3, stating their admiration for the film.
The film’s release on a Sunday instead of the traditional Friday sparked robust discussions online. As Salman Khan has not delivered a blockbuster in nearly eight years, Sikandar carries high stakes. Can this be the film to break his dry spell? Early reviews suggest it might. One social media user celebrated Salman Khan’s ‘vintage’ performance, describing the film as “a BGM that will SHAKE theatres, a big-screen experience meant for cinemas only.”
This enthusiastic review went further to applaud Salman Khan for delivering one of his best performances, attributing the film’s success to director Murugadoss’s adept direction: “SK absolutely OWNS his role, with action scenes that are PURE MADNESS!” The review vividly expressed, “SCREENS WILL EXPLODE… SEETIS, TAALIS, FULL MASS HYSTERIA!” painting an image of an exhilarating cinematic experience.
In another glowing review, a fan from Holland rated the film as the best since Bajrangi Bhaijaan, even surpassing Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai. Emphasizing the film’s emotional depth and action-packed sequences, the reviewer claimed it had many ‘goosebump moments.’ Additional reports from the UAE’s screening praised Sikandar as being thrice as good as Khan’s previous releases.
Yet, not all feedback was unanimously positive. One viewer critiqued Sikandar sharply, finding it uninspired and outdated, casting doubt on Salman Khan’s ability to convincingly portray a dynamic lead. Commenting on his performance, the critic noted a lack of conviction and physical readiness, suggesting that the star might be out of touch with such demanding roles.
In a media interaction, Salman Khan, affectionately known as Bhai, addressed these dynamics, commenting, “Dekho yaar wo jo mass aur class ka separation tha na wo to Ekdum mit hi Gaya hai.” He elaborated on the evolving film audience, noting how the excitement for cinema has permeated even multiplexes traditionally dominated by more subdued responses.
He candidly discussed ticket pricing at single-screen cinemas, commenting, “I’ve always said about the culture of selling tickets in black at single screens. The prices shoot up cleverly, sometimes as high as multiplex rates. You can end up paying up to 1.5 or 2K for a ticket.”
As Sikandar’s debut unfolds, it offers a glimpse of hope for Salman Khan’s fans craving a definitive box-office success. The film’s mixed reviews highlight a broader conversation about Bollywood’s evolving landscape, the pressure on long-standing stars to reinvent, and the persistent fanfare surrounding cinema giants like Salman Khan. All eyes now turn to how audience reactions and box office numbers will unfold in the coming weeks, potentially securing the film’s place as a defining moment in Salman’s illustrious career.
