Salman Khan‘s latest film, ‘Sikandar,’ directed by AR Murugadoss and co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, opened in theaters on March 30, coinciding with the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr. Despite high expectations due to Khan’s previous successes, the film has been met with harsh criticism and labeled a significant failure. Moviegoers quickly expressed their disappointment, accusing the actor-director duo of delivering their “biggest disaster” yet.
Khan’s reputation and a history of hits had set anticipation soaring, but reactions were swift and severe after the film’s release. Social media platforms were flooded with critical reviews, reflecting the dismal box office performance. One viewer remarked, “Salman Khan is ruining his own legacy by making such bad movies. Hope he wakes up before it’s too late.” The brief screen time for the most favored song in the film was another sore point among fans.
A singular review simply stated, “Disappointing,” while another described the film as a mockery, quoting YouTuber Suraj Kumar’s biting critique. A particularly scathing comment addressed Khan’s appearance, stating, “Disaster, Salman Khan in the whole movie wasn’t giving Hero vibes. He was looking dull, fat during action scenes.” The suggestions continued, urging Khan to “go to the gym, lose weight, and then do the movie.”
Another critique by user DVT mentioned, “Sikandar review: The film starts well but loses steam with a weak villain and a disappointing climax. Too much back-and-forth between Rajkot and Mumbai makes the plot feel stretched.” Although some found it a “decent Tamil entertainer,” it was clear that most viewers expected more from a film of this caliber.
Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, ‘Sikandar’ also features actors Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi, Prateik Babbar, Jatin Sarna, Kishore, and Nawab Shah. The storyline follows a young protagonist challenging a corrupt system, fighting for justice amidst societal injustice. Despite this compelling premise, the execution failed to resonate with audiences.
Reports from Sacnilk indicate that ‘Sikandar’ earned ₹9.76 crore on its first day in India, with the highest occupancy rates in Chennai at 24%, then Jaipur and Bengaluru at 17%, and Mumbai at 16%. Despite these numbers, the film’s performance is subpar for a project featuring a star like Salman Khan.
As the backlash continues, the industry wonders about the implications for Khan’s career trajectory. Criticism over outdated editing and execution has put pressure on Khan and his collaborators to reassess future projects critically. Ultimately, ‘Sikandar’ serves as a cautionary tale for those overlooking storytelling depth in favor of star power.
