Still riding high on his longstanding fame, Salman Khan made his much-anticipated return to cinemas with Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss, released on March 30th. But the reception has been far from unanimous. Fans have taken to X, formerly Twitter, sharing a spectrum of opinions from admiration for Salman Khan to critiques of the film’s storytelling.
The varied evaluations of Sikandar have ignited a fierce debate online, catapulting #Sikandar to trending status. Some fans are enchanted by Salman Khan’s usual charm, while others point out inconsistencies in the plot and a perceived lack of fresh ideas. A post revealed appreciation with, “Seen all-time biggest superstar of Indian cinema #Sikandar after a gap. One of the great performances by @BeingSalmanKhan.” But another expressed disappointment, stating, “#Sikandar is typical #SalmanKhan action with stale stunts and a weak social angle. #RashmikaMandanna struggles to connect with him.”
A few admirers emphasized the film’s strengths, notably its action sequences and Salman’s larger-than-life persona. One user shared enthusiasm, “THIS YEAR BELONGS TO #SIKANDAR Salman Khan takes larger than life to a whole new level,” while another commented, “Salman Khan’s swag + AR Murugadoss’ direction = BLOCKBUSTER! Can’t wait to watch it again.” Meanwhile, criticism persisted, with one user pointing out, “Outdated story with flattest ever screenplay. Santhosh Narayanaan has reused Kalki BGM and pasted it.” Another fan lamented, “A dull and outdated storyline, easily forgettable. It seems my favourite director, A.R. Murugadoss, could use a break.”
Despite varying opinions, the film does showcase Salman Khan in a genre that he’s known for. Yet, not all viewers are sold. A particularly harsh review read, “It still baffles me that four adults decided to write this nonsense and spent 300 crores to produce it. It’s superficial to another level.” Such divisive reactions highlight the turbulence between admiration for Salman Khan’s longstanding stardom and unmet expectations for cinematic innovation.
Commercially, Sikandar faced challenges. Released amid high anticipation as Salman’s first Eid release in two years, it secured ₹10 crore in advance booking – a respectable sum, but not enough to make a historic impact, falling behind titles like Chhaava by Vicky Kaushal.
Sikandar’s apparent failure to meet all moviegoers’ expectations could have implications for the superstar’s future work. As Salman Khan continues to be a significant figure in Indian cinema, the mix of praise and disapproval may spark conversations about the direction of his career. His dedicated following remains loyal, but the film’s reception could urge reflective consideration on narrative choices and industry trends.
As cinema enthusiasts and critics continue to voice their views, the dialogue around Sikandar captures a compelling snapshot of Salman Khan’s current standing in the film industry. Whether it’s lauded for its action sequences or scrutinized for its plot, Sikandar underscores the challenges of maintaining relevance while entertaining evolving audiences.
