The much-anticipated film “Sikandar,” featuring Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna, was released worldwide in theaters on March 30, aligning with Eid-ul-Fitr. This action thriller is directed by AR Murugadoss, a renowned Tamil filmmaker who previously captured bollywood’s attention with the blockbuster “Ghajini” in 2008, starring Aamir Khan.
Upon its release, audiences quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their opinions. Many expressed disappointment, critiquing the film for its outdated narrative and screenplay. Described as a “completely cringe-fest” and the “most outdated film in recent times,” the movie left viewers underwhelmed. Salman Khan’s unconvincing performance was highlighted by many as a major letdown.
Viewer Reactions
One particular tweet encapsulated the sentiment, stating, “One Word Review: Sikandar – Disaster. Same old formula, nothing new! Feels like Jai Ho + KKBKKJ remix – boring, outdated, and painfully predictable. Salman Khan has completely lost his screen presence, and ironically, he’s the weakest part of his own movie. What a letdown.”
Another viewer remarked, “Sikandar – Outdated action drama that causes boredom. The plot may have been worked on paper. However, the execution feels forced and silly. Lack of freshness. Music also below par. Few action sequences were good, nothing else satisfies. 1.5/5.”
“Sikandar is a complete cringe-fest. Nothing feels natural or organic. The worst part is Salman’s unconvincing performance and bulky appearance. There are major lip-sync issues, terrible editing, and zero emotional impact – no one even reacted to Rashmika’s death scene. Every scene feels robotic, and even the action sequences are dull and uninspiring,” shared another moviegoer.
General Appraisals
The critiques didn’t stop there. Another review on X lamented, “Sikandar is an action drama that bores from start to finish due to its outdated and bland screenplay. The storyline idea may have been emotional on paper. However, it feels lifeless and somewhat silly when translated on screen. The whole movie feels like a mix of many movies we’ve seen before and has absolutely no freshness. BGM is out of sync and bad. Apart from a few alright action blocks, this one has nothing to offer. Bad. Rating: 2/5.”
One fan summed up succinctly, “Most outdated movie in recent times.. Just skip it … Time waste .. Salman Khan choosing scripts to the worst.. Outdated scenes & screenplay… Apart frm action episodes nothing else.. It’s a scrap..”
Film’s Cast and Production
Besides Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna, “Sikandar” also stars Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi, Prateik Smita Patil, Kishore, and Jatin Sarna in supporting roles. The film is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. Salman and Sajid had last collaborated on the successful “Kick” in 2014, raising expectations for another hit.
Impact and Future Considerations
The reception of “Sikandar” has sparked numerous discussions about the trajectory of Salman Khan’s career and his choice of roles. Critics argue that such performances may affect his longstanding reputation in the industry. The film’s lukewarm reception is a wake-up call for filmmakers to innovate and break away from clichéd storytelling. As audiences yearn for fresh narratives, it remains to be seen if this experience will shift the kind of projects Salman Khan will undertake in the future. The film’s reception not only highlights the high expectations placed on A-list stars but also serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving tastes of cinema-goers, seeking substance and originality.
