“Sikandar: A ₹200 Crore Gamble That Fell Short”

Posted on / by tamilmvmob /

🎬 Introduction

Released on 30 March 2025, coinciding with Eid al‑Fitr, Sikandar is an ambitious Indian Hindi‑language action drama. Directed and written by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film stars Salman Khan in the titular role, alongside Rashmika Mandanna, Sathyaraj, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, and others deviantart.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15goodfilmhunting.in+15.

Made on a lavish budget of approximately ₹200 crore, the film is a high‑stakes attempt at delivering a mass‑appeal spectacle, shot across Mumbai and Hyderabad, and filmed in both standard and IMAX formats en.wikipedia.org.

🧩 Story and Screenplay

Plot Overview

Salman Khan plays Sanjay Rajkot, also known as Sikandar or “Raja Saab,” heir to Rajkot’s royal lineage and revered by his people. His life takes a tragic turn when his wife, Saisri (Rashmika), is killed in conflict with a vengeful and corrupt minister (played by Sathyaraj). In a final act of sacrifice, Saisri pledges her organs, which are distributed to three strangers in Mumbai: a lung transplant recipient from Dharavi, a young top‑ranked chartered accountant student who receives her eyes, and a college student in need of a heart timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2telegraphindia.com+2indiatimes.com+2.

Driven by grief, Sikandar embarks on a mission to protect these recipients from the minister’s sinister designs—helping each of them overcome their personal challenges, effectively attempting redemption through acts of altruism rottentomatoes.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3.

🎭 Cast & Characterisation

💰 Production Highlights

🎵 Music & Cinematic Value

🧾 Critical Reception

Reception was overwhelmingly negative:

  • Rotten Tomatoes reflects a low 6% critics rating and 57% audience score rottentomatoes.com.

  • Common criticisms: weak plot, disjointed screenplay, lackluster direction, poor character development, underused ensemble, and an overreliance on star appeal and clichéd dialogues .

Select review highlights:

A minority of reviewers, such as Ganesh Aaglave (Firstpost), gave a more favorable note, calling it a “massy treat for fans” with some engaging action rottentomatoes.com.

📉 Box Office & Financial Fallout

📺 OTT Run & Audience Reach

After the theatrical debut, Sikandar premiered on Netflix from 25 May 2025, a date that sparked renewed interest en.wikipedia.org+1economictimes.indiatimes.com+1.

🔍 In‑Depth Analysis

1. Screenwriting & Direction

A.R. Murugadoss, celebrated for hits like Ghajini, faltered here. Although action set‑ups were ambitious, the film was criticized for weak pacing and cliched narration timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3filminformation.com+3zoomnews.in+3.

2. Star Power & Age Dynamics

Salman delivered signature heroic charisma but lacked depth. The 31‑year age difference between him and Rashmika was cited as emotionally distracting timesofindia.indiatimes.com+5goodfilmhunting.in+5news.abplive.com+5.

3. Music & Emotional Resonance

Neither songs nor BGM resonated. The lack of memorable tracks was mentioned as a gap in forming emotional connection .

4. Action & Cinematography

Visuals impressed—Tirru’s framing and art direction received praise. But action scenes felt generic and lacked innovation indiatimes.com.

5. Supporting Cast

Despite a cast of capable actors, roles were sidelined. Most served as extensions of the protagonist .

🏁 Legacy & Takeaways

  • Box office failure: Despite Eid release and big names, total collection didn’t justify the budget.

  • Career implications: Murugadoss experienced a rare flop, joining other filmmakers with underperforming releases in 2025 .

  • Piracy warning: The ₹91 crore piracy impact emphasizes growing industry challenges .

  • Fan expectations: Hardcore fans found solace in Salman’s presence, but general audiences and critics remained disappointed zoomnews.in.

✅ Conclusion

Sikandar exemplifies a high‑budget gamble that banks heavily on star power and mass‑appeal design. While it boasted metallic heroism, visual appeal, and emotional premises, critical flaws in screenplay, direction, and music prevented it from delivering beyond typical Salman Khan templates. Its failure to match box office expectations, compounded by significant piracy losses, makes it a cautionary tale about the limits of formulaic cinema—even with top-tier talent and budgets.

In summary, Sikandar remains a film of grand ambition but flawed execution—an emblem of style over substance in modern Bollywood, and a pivot point for introspection in storytelling, production, and audience engagement.

🗣️ Audience Voices

From user reviews on Times of India:

“Slightly entertaining but a waste of time. Expected a lot more with Salman and Rashmika in a movie.” timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3
“A.R. Murugadoss’s Sikandar has moments of promise but ultimately struggles to rise above its flaws.” timesofindia.indiatimes.com

🎯 Final Thoughts

For fans of Salman Khan’s persona—Bhai style, heroic punchlines, and larger‑than‑life action—Sikandar delivers familiar entertainment. But for those seeking strong storytelling, innovative action choreography, or emotional depth, it proves unsatisfying. Ultimately, Sikandar underscores that charisma and spectacle alone aren’t enough in the evolving competitive cinematic space.

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