The goal of Salman Khan’s most recent project, Sikandar, which AR Murugadoss directed, is to produce a powerful action thriller. But because of its impressive team and high objectives, the movie feels like a holdover from the 1990s and finds it difficult to connect with today’s viewers.
A Story that Brings Back Memories with a Certain Story
Sikandar presents us to Sanjay, also called Sikandar (Salman Khan), a brave and kind man who is well-liked in his neighborhood. The story centers on his run-in with a famous minister (Sathyaraj) after a widely shared event in which Sikandar confronts the minister’s son (Prateik Babbar) while on a plane. A series of incidents, including personal natural disasters and a pursuit of justice, are triggered by this encounter. Although the idea has promise, the story develops in a conventional way reminiscent of Bollywood in the 1990s, missing the complexity and unpredictable elements expected in today’s film.
Performances: The Signature Style of Salman Khan
Salman Khan effortlessly plays the larger-than-life hero in his signature performance. His action scenes are performed with the customary excitement to satisfy his devoted fan base. Despite a huge age gap, Rashmika Mandanna, who plays Sikandar’s wife, adds grace to her little on-screen time and has a great connection with Khan. However, Sathyaraj’s adversary lacks the threat to make an impression, and the supporting cast—which includes Sharman Joshi and Kajal Aggarwal—is underdeveloped.
Screenplay and Direction: An Outdated Method
Despite his track record of success, director AR Murugadoss appears to depend a lot on antiquated clichés in Sikandar. An overly long first half and a second half full of pointless subplots slow down the movie’s timing. The two-hour, thirty-minute length is boring since the screenplay doesn’t bring in any new components. Even while the action scenes are expertly coordinated, they lack originality, making them routine and familiar.
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Cinematography and Music: A Complicated Mix
Some of the memorable songs from Pritam’s musical composition for Sikandar, such as “Zohra Jabeen” and “Bam Bam Bhole,” have become well-known. The music as a whole, meanwhile, doesn’t raise the emotional impact of the movie. Although cinematographer Tirru does a good job of capturing the action scenes and locations, the film’s narrative flaws cannot be made up for by the visual attractiveness alone.
Box Office Performance: A Disappointing Run?
Despite high expectations and a grand pre-release buzz, Sikandar struggled to maintain momentum at the box office. The film opened with decent numbers, primarily due to Salman Khan’s massive fan following, but word-of-mouth quickly affected its collections. While the first weekend witnessed strong footfalls, the weekdays saw a sharp decline.
Trade analysts suggest that Sikandar’s outdated storyline and lack of novelty contributed to its underwhelming performance. Unlike Salman’s previous Eid blockbusters, this film failed to break major records or create a lasting impact. Competing releases and mixed reviews further dented its box office prospects, making it one of his more forgettable outings in recent years.
Audience and reviewer Reactions
The response to Sikandar has been polarized. Salman Khan’s die-hard fans praised his action-packed performance and mass-appeal moments, but general audiences and critics were left unimpressed. Many reviews pointed out that the film felt like a recycled version of 90s Bollywood action dramas, with exaggerated dialogues, predictable twists, and a lack of emotional depth.
Critics have specifically highlighted the film’s lack of originality, with some comparing it to Salman’s previous works like Kick and Jai Ho, which followed a similar template. Social media reactions were mixed, with some fans celebrating the film’s nostalgic feel while others called for fresh storytelling.
Should You Watch Sikandar?
If you are a Salman Khan fan who enjoys his signature larger-than-life roles, Sikandar might be an entertaining watch for you. It offers high-energy action, dramatic confrontations, and a few catchy songs. However, if you prefer well-crafted storytelling, compelling characters, and modern filmmaking techniques, you may find this film outdated and repetitive.
In summary, Sikandar is a film that feels like it belongs in the ’90s rather than today’s era of cinema. While it delivers a few nostalgic moments, its predictable screenplay, weak villain, and lack of innovation make it a mediocre addition to Salman Khan’s filmography.
In conclusion, a lost chance
Sikandar makes an effort to combine nostalgia with modern narrative but ultimately comes across as a holdover from a different time. Salman Khan’s presence gives the movie star power, but its simple story, undeveloped characters, and uninspired directing make it a one-time viewing for most fans. Sikandar might not be the best option for anyone looking for an engaging and exciting cinematic experience.