Sikandar Movie Review: Salman Khan’s Eid Release Disappoints – 2.5/5 Rating
On March 30, 2025, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan returned to the big screen with Sikandar, an action-drama directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. Timed as an Eid release—a slot Khan has dominated for years—the film promised a blend of high-octane action and emotional depth. However, despite the pedigree of its star and director, Sikandar stumbles, delivering a middling experience that fails to live up to expectations. With a rating of 2.5 out of 5, here’s an in-depth look at the movie’s highlights, weak points, and how it fits into Murugadoss’s illustrious career.
Movie Highlights: Moments That Shine Amid the Gloom
Sikandar follows Sanjay Rajkot (Salman Khan), a benevolent king of Rajkot who becomes embroiled in a conflict with a corrupt minister (Sathyaraj) after a confrontation with the minister’s son (Prateik Babbar). The plot thickens when Sanjay’s wife, Saisri (Rashmika Mandanna), dies, and her donated organs save three lives in Mumbai—a young boy, a stifled dreamer, and a heartbroken student. Sanjay’s mission to protect these recipients forms the emotional core of the film.
- Salman Khan’s Larger-Than-Life Presence: Even in a faltering narrative, Khan’s charisma shines through. His entry scene, where he thrashes Babbar in an airplane cabin, is a quintessential “Bhai” moment—complete with punchy dialogue and gravity-defying action—that elicits cheers from die-hard fans.
- Ashwani Kumar’s Breakthrough: Debutant Ashwani Kumar, playing a loyal aide, steals scenes with his raw energy, hinting at a promising future in Bollywood.
- Emotional Premise: The organ donation angle offers a rare tender thread in an otherwise formulaic action flick. A hospital sequence where Sanjay learns of Saisri’s wishes briefly tugs at the heartstrings.
- Action Choreography: The film’s action sequences, particularly a mid-movie brawl in Dharavi, showcase slick choreography and Khan’s enduring physicality, even if reliant on slow-motion crutches.
Weak Points: Where Sikandar Falters
Despite its potential, Sikandar is bogged down by a litany of shortcomings that undermine its ambition.
- Weak Script and Predictable Plot: The screenplay feels like a patchwork of clichés borrowed from South Indian cinema and Khan’s past hits. The organ donation subplot, while noble, is executed with little depth, reducing it to a gimmick rather than a resonant theme.
- Erratic Direction: A.R. Murugadoss, once a master of taut storytelling, seems out of form. The pacing drags post-interval, and the narrative lacks cohesion, with scenes feeling rushed or abruptly chopped.
- Underutilized Cast: Rashmika Mandanna’s Saisri is relegated to a few songs and fleeting moments, leaving her screen presence strong but her role hollow. Sathyaraj’s villain is a caricature—loud but toothless—while talents like Sharman Joshi and Kajal Aggarwal are wasted in the background.
- Outdated Execution: From cringe-worthy dialogues like “Ab insaaf ki nahi, inhe saaf karne ki zaroorat hai” to a dated background score by Santhosh Narayanan, the film feels stuck in a bygone era, failing to match the polish of modern Bollywood blockbusters.
- Lackluster Climax: The final showdown, where Sanjay inexplicably forgives the villain after a buildup of vengeance, deflates all tension, leaving audiences bewildered rather than satisfied.
A.R. Murugadoss’s Past Work: A Legacy of Hits and Recent Struggles
A.R. Murugadoss has a storied career, known for delivering genre-defining films that blend action with emotional heft. His Tamil blockbuster Ghajini (2005) redefined the revenge drama, with its innovative memory-loss twist and Aamir Khan’s transformative performance in the Hindi remake (2008). Thuppakki (2012) showcased his knack for sleek action, while Kaththi (2014) tackled social issues with Vijay’s star power. Even his Bollywood outing Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014) balanced thrills with a tight script.
However, Murugadoss’s recent track record has been shaky. Spyder (2017) with Mahesh Babu was a bloated misfire, criticized for its convoluted plot, and Darbar (2020) with Rajinikanth leaned too heavily on star worship, neglecting narrative rigor. Sikandar continues this downward trend, lacking the sharpness and emotional punch of his earlier triumphs. Where Ghajini turned a simple premise into a gripping saga, Sikandar squanders its organ donation hook on a tired, uninspired canvas.
Rating and Verdict: 2.5/5
Sikandar is a classic case of squandered potential. Salman Khan’s star power and a few standout moments can’t salvage a film weighed down by a weak script, erratic direction, and an outdated feel. For fans, it offers fleeting thrills—enough to warrant a one-time watch during the Eid festivities—but it’s far from the “mass blockbuster” Khan promised at the trailer launch, where he boasted of a Rs. 200 crore opening. Instead, early estimates peg its Day 1 collection at Rs. 26 crore, one of Khan’s lowest Eid openers in years.
Murugadoss, once a trailblazer, seems to have tailored this film too closely to Khan’s persona, sacrificing the originality and depth that defined his past work. The result is a 2.5/5 experience—neither a complete disaster nor a triumph, but a frustrating middle ground that leaves you longing for the Bhai of Bajrangi Bhaijaan or the Murugadoss of Ghajini. If you’re a Salman loyalist, you might find enough to cheer for; otherwise, this king’s tale is best left unwatched.
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