The much-awaited Salman Khan venture, Sikandar, directed by A.R. Murugadoss, released on March 30, 2025. With a robust production budget of ₹200 crore, the film promised to deliver a larger-than-life Bollywood action-drama experience. However, did Sikandar live up to its expectations? Here’s our detailed, spoiler-free review. SSRmovies.
Sikandar (2025) NetFlix
IMDb: 4.2/10 || Size: See below ▼ ||
Genres: Action
Director: A.R. Murugadoss
Writers: A.R. Murugadoss
Stars: Salman Khan, Rashmika Mandanna, Sharman Joshi
A fiery youth confronts a powerful network of corruption, challenging the status quo and fighting for the common people’s rights in a nation gripped by injustice.
Read our full spoiler-free review below.
|| Join Our Telegram Channel for Latest Updates 🔔 ||
Sikandar 2025 Full Movie Review
A Dynamic Plot That Lacks Impact
Sikandar revolves around Sanjay “Sikandar” Rajkot (played by Salman Khan), a powerful figure in Gujarat, whose life takes a sharp turn following a tragic family loss. On his quest for justice and redemption, Sikandar faces corruption and personal turmoil while protecting three individuals who received his late wife’s organ donations. Thematically, the film explores corruption, social responsibility, and love intertwined with high-octane action sequences.
However, despite an engaging premise, much of the narrative feels disjointed and predictable. The emotionally charged moments are often diluted by a sluggish screenplay, which fails to connect the audience to Sikandar’s struggles meaningfully.
Stellar Cast or Missed Opportunities?
- Salman Khan as Sikandar
Salman Khan is undoubtedly the soul of the film. His portrayal carries remnants of his star power, with moments of intense action and trademark dialogue delivery. However, his performance feels repetitive, relying too heavily on familiar mannerisms seen in his earlier roles.
- Rashmika Mandanna as Saisri Rajkot
Rashmika Mandanna as Saisri, Sikandar’s loving yet distant wife, delivers a heartfelt performance, but her character feels underutilized. Her limited screen time dims the emotional gravitas she could have brought to the narrative.
- Sathyaraj and Supporting Cast
Sathyaraj as the antagonist Minister Rakesh Pradhan tries to deliver a convincing performance but isn’t given enough depth to shine. Meanwhile, seasoned actors like Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar contribute solid performances but are overshadowed by sloppy character development.
Direction and Screenplay – A Mixed Bag
A.R. Murugadoss, known for crafting socially relevant action films (Ghajini, Holiday), struggles to replicate his past successes. While the storyline has potential, much of it is undercut by predictable twists and an inconsistent screenplay penned by Rajat Arora, Abbas Dalal, and Hussain Dalal.
Key sequences aim for grandeur but often lack coherence, relying heavily on clichés that leave little room for fresh storytelling. The dialogues, while occasionally intense, fail to resonate consistently.
Music That Hums, But Doesn’t Roar
Composed by Pritam, the songs in Sikandar modestly complement the storytelling. Tracks like Zohra Jabeen and Bam Bam Bhole bring festive energy, while Hum Aapke Bina adds emotional depth.
Santhosh Narayanan’s background score helps maintain tension in action sequences, but it lacks the memorability that films of this scale demand. Overall, the music serves its purpose, but hardly leaves a lasting impression.
Production and Visual Appeal
The ₹200 crore budget is evident in the lavish sets and action sequences shot across sprawling locations in Mumbai and Hyderabad. From aerial stunts to explosive hand-to-hand combat scenes, Sikandar duly delivers visual spectacle. Nevertheless, the special effects and choreography occasionally feel over-the-top, pulling viewers out of the cinematic experience.
Critical Reception and Performance
Upon release, Sikandar opened to lukewarm reviews from both critics and audiences. Despite Salman Khan’s massive fanbase, the film’s story and direction drew sharp criticism for lacking coherence and originality.
While the movie had a strong opening day box office collection of ₹30 crore domestically, it struggled to maintain its momentum. Wrapping up its theatrical run with ₹177 crore, Sikandar fell short of recovering its production costs, making it a commercial disappointment for the producers.
Highlights of Criticism:
- Weak screenplay and repetitive plot elements.
- Forced emotional beats that fail to create meaningful impact.
- Lackluster performances, even from seasoned actors like Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna.
Themes and Attempted Message
At its core, Sikandar attempts to highlight the everyday struggles of the common man against corruption and social inequality. The film’s message of using strength and privilege to champion justice is admirable but loses much of its weight due to uneven storytelling.
Should You Watch Sikandar?
Sikandar delivers moments of entertainment, particularly for Salman Khan’s die-hard fans. The action sequences and grand production values might lure you into a one-time watch. However, casual viewers or those seeking profound storytelling and nuanced performances may leave the theater disappointed.
Recommended For:
- Salman Khan fans who enjoy his action-hero avatar.
- Bollywood enthusiasts curious about A.R. Murugadoss’s approach to large-scale action dramas.
Final Thoughts
While Sikandar boasts a promising canvas, it falters in execution. From weak storytelling to underwhelming performances, the film struggles to transcend into the cinematic milestone it aimed to be. Salman Khan’s aura and a few standout moments attempt to salvage the movie but fall short of creating a cohesive, impactful experience.
Verdict:
- Strengths: Spectacle-driven action, Salman Khan’s charm
- Weaknesses: Predictable plot, bland storytelling, weak character arcs
If you choose to skip this one, rest assured you aren’t missing much. For those who’ve watched Sikandar, we’d love to hear your take in the comments!
