Salman Khan‘s Sikandar has finally landed on the big screens, accompanied by a sea of anticipation from his die-hard fanbase. Directed by AR Murugadoss, this action-packed drama also features Rashmika Mandanna in an important role. The question is, though, does Sikandar live up to the buzz, or does it simply retread old clichés? Let’s see in the review below.
A Royalty-Turned-Rebel Storyline
The movie is about Raja Sahab (Salman Khan), the sole heir of the royal family of Rajkot. He is adored and respected by his praja, but his justice meted out in a vigilante manner gets him into trouble. When he gives a lesson to a pampered politician’s son (Prateik Babbar), it incites a vendetta that puts his very life at stake. The villain, played by Sathyaraj, goes out to kill him. But as ever, Salman’s character resists in a manner that guarantees constant whistles and applause in cinemas.
Salman Khan: The Ultimate Showman
No question that Sikandar is a classic Salman Khan vehicle. Every shot is intended to appeal to his huge fan base, from slow-motion arrivals to punchy one-liners and exaggerated action scenes. His trademark swag is in full flow, and his presence on screen is as crackling as ever. Whether doing gravity-bending stunts, cracking jokes, or just striding into a room, Salman dominates every scene.
But where the film stumbles is in terms of emotional resonance. Although the narrative tries to present a sorrowful man grieving over his wife’s untimely demise, Salman fails to inject real vulnerability into these sequences. His intense scenes are missing the emotional gravity required to have a lasting impact, and therefore they feel severed from the remainder of the narrative.
Rashmika Mandanna: Underutilized But Charismatic
Rashmika Mandanna appears as Salman’s wife, and while she is charming as an actress, she is criminally underutilized. Although the makers try to make her a strong woman, her autonomy is questioned too many times. Her chemistry with Salman is compelling, but since her screen space is limited, she cannot leave any lasting impact. With so much talent, Rashmika needs to get roles where she isn’t outshined by the larger-than-life male hero. Perhaps it is time she revises her project picks so that she lands parts that really make her shine.
Supporting Cast: Wasted Talent
Sathyaraj, in the role of the lead villain, is handed a weakly written character who is neither menacing nor interesting.
Sharman Joshi, a powerhouse actor, is just a background figure.
Kajal Aggarwal and Anjini Dhawan appear briefly, contributing nothing to the overall narrative.
Prateik Babbar, as the spoiled politician’s son, gives a good performance but is not given sufficient depth to his character.
With such a talented cast, the movie could have been enriched with well-developed supporting characters, but alas, they are forgettable.
Action & Cinematic Appeal: High on Style, Low on Substance
One of Sikandar’s strongest points is action choreography. The movie is filled with high-octane fight scenes, car chases, and stylized combat sequences, designed to the hilt for Salman’s macho image. The direction and cuts ensure that each punch makes its maximum impact, making it a treat for action fans.
Nonetheless, the excess of these elements at the expense of all else makes the movie lack freshness. Sikandar is a classic Salman Khan film template—where logic does not prevail, and over-the-top action sequences rule the roost. Though the formula has worked previously, in 2025, people are looking for something other than this.
Music & Background Score: A Saving Grace
The background score and music of Sikandar are worth a mention. The soundtrack of the film serves to complement its fast-paced sequences well, and the background score enhances tension and dramatic moments. The emotional moments, though narratively weak, are at least supported by strong musical pieces that try to tug at the heartstrings.
The Problem With Sticking To The Formula
Salman Khan has always boasted a unique style—one that, for decades now, has enjoyed the adoration of his masses. But change is inevitable; times change and so do viewers’ expectations. In a period where Bollywood is experiencing experimental content, Sikandar seems aged. The expected plot, serial-like dialogues, and all-too-familiar tropes mark it as a movie that best fits the past decade.
AR Murugadoss, known for delivering hard-hitting action films like Ghajini, seems to have played it safe with Sikandar. Instead of reinventing the action-hero genre, he sticks to the tried-and-tested Salman formula. The result? A film that, while entertaining for die-hard fans, fails to leave a lasting impression on the rest of the audience.
Is Sikandar A One-Time Watch?
AR Murugadoss, known for delivering hard-hitting action films like Ghajini, seems to have played it safe with Sikandar. Instead of reinventing the action-hero genre, he sticks to the tried-and-tested Salman formula. The result? A film that, while entertaining for die-hard fans, fails to leave a lasting impression on the rest of the audience.
The movie tries its hand at telling an emotional story but is too awkward in its approach to connect with the audience on any level. Its predictability and lack of willingness to take risks make it a one-time watch at best.
Verdict: A Lackluster Eid Release
Overall, Sikandar is a movie that entirely depends on Salman Khan’s popularity. It has nothing new to provide the viewers and is caught in a time when action heroes did not require character depth. Although Salman’s charm saves the movie, its lack of freshness keeps it from being a standout film experience.
Web Stories
