Salman Khan‘s latest action-drama, Sikandar, helmed by A.R. Murugadoss, has become a topic of heated discussion on social media following its trailer launch. The film features Rashmika Mandanna alongside Salman Khan, sparking debates due to the 31-year age difference between the leading pair. Amidst the stir, actress Ameesha Patel has spoken out in defense of Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna’s on-screen chemistry.
Following the release of the Sikandar trailer, numerous celebrities have voiced their support for the duo’s on-screen chemistry. Ameesha Patel, when confronted with social media’s critical gaze during a chat with the paparazzi, made a compelling case against the age-gap criticism. She drew parallels with her own experiences, mentioning, “Mere aur Sunny (Deol) ji mein bhi to 20 saal ka gap tha, par jab jodi chalti hai to chalti hai, (Between me and Sunny ji, there was an age difference of 20 years, the chemistry anyways works),” expressing admiration for Salman Khan with a playful “Salman is just muah.”
Ameesha also shared her insights on Sikandar, stating, “Mujhe to bohut achi lagi, baaki kuch toh log kahenge logon ka kaam hai kehna. Logon ko film yunhi nahi pasand aarahi hai, film achi jaa rahi hai to bolne do jisko jo bolna hai (I liked it a lot, the rest people will say anything. People are not liking the film for no reason, the film is going well, so let them say whatever they want to).”
During the trailer launch, Salman Khan addressed the age-gap controversy, making a thought-provoking comment, “Heroine ke father ko problem nahi hain. Kal jab inki shaadi ho jayegi, bacche ho jaenge, aur tab bhi kaam karenge. Pati ka permission toh mil hi jayega na (The heroine’s father has no problem. Tomorrow, when she gets married and has children, she will still continue working. She will get her husband’s permission, right)?”
Salman further applauded Rashmika Mandanna’s commitment to her role, revealing, “She has given her best. After breaking her leg, she shot with us and didn’t cancel a single day. She reminds me a lot of me, younger me.” Sikandar also showcases performances by actors like Kajal Aggrawal, Sharman Joshi, Suniel Shetty, Sathyaraj, and Prateik Babbar.
As the debate over Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna’s on-screen chemistry continues, Sikandar navigates the challenging landscape of social scrutiny, showcasing how cinema often mirrors broader societal conversations. With influential voices such as Ameesha Patel stepping in, the film’s release could shift perceptions, potentially paving the way for future projects enriching Bollywood’s diverse narrative tapestry.
