If you’re looking for that vintage Salman Khan adrenaline rush, Sikandar one might not be the Eidi you hoped for. Maybe next time.
Salman Khan returns with an Eid release in what initially seemed like a surefire recipe for the “mass entertainer” we’ve come to expect from Bhai. But if early reactions and box office buzz are any indication, this particular outing leaves much to be desired. It’s a loud, flashy actioner that promises the world yet stumbles under sloppy storytelling and a surprisingly subdued Salman performance.
Nostalgia is like rummaging through a dusty old trunk for your favorite childhood outfit, only to find it’s frayed at the edges and two sizes too small. Sometimes, the memory is sweeter than reality. For Salman fans who remember the swaggering star of Wanted, Dabangg, and Kick, Sikandar feels like rummaging in that trunk and coming up with an outfit that’s old, rumpled, faded, and frankly, just doesn’t fit anymore.
What’s the Story?
Sikandar centers on Sanjay “Raja” Rajkot (Khan), also known as Sikandar, the last royal of an erstwhile kingdom. He’s revered for his kindness and “I’ll-fix-all-problems” approach to everything. Rashmika Mandanna plays his wife, Saishri, and is depicted as the only person capable of grounding him, except that the screenplay doesn’t give her much chance.
When a cunning minister (Sathyaraj) and his bratty son (Prateik Babbar) set their sights on humiliating Sikandar, trouble ensues. Rounding out the cast are Sharman Joshi as a mumbling adviser, Kajal Aggarwal, and others who wander in and out of the plot. Essentially, what follows is an overstuffed chain of subplots (including organ donors, protest marches, and revenge fantasies) attempting to culminate in a grand showdown.
What Works?
Santhosh Narayanan’s thumping score sporadically injects life into otherwise mundane sequences, while fleeting action moments—like Salman toppling a bus of goons or engaging in comic tussles—evoke the Bhai of yesteryears. Beneath the chaos, the film hints at altruism and righteousness, echoing classic Salman flicks, but these uplifting notions often get overshadowed by the rest of the narrative.
What Doesn’t Work?
There are jarring revelations and cringe-worthy subplots that never reconcile. Salman’s performance, long known for its confident swagger, feels strangely detached, almost as if he’s delivering lines from a teleprompter, undercutting his usual magnetic presence. Meanwhile, the supporting cast—including Joshi, Sathyaraj, and Kajal Aggarwal—falls by the wayside, appearing only briefly to drop a line or two and then vanish. The screenplay, in which director A.R. Murugadoss tries to blend a “superheroic monarchy” with social activism and family drama, collapses into an overcrowded quilt of half-realized concepts.
The film’s tone is equally inconsistent: emotional highs, such as the protagonist’s grief, are swiftly followed by slapstick jokes or a bizarre cameo, leaving little room for genuine empathy.
Same Ingredients, Different Dish
One wonders if the Sikandar team tried to recreate something akin to Salman’s earlier Eid hits but forgot that while you can make anda bhurji and mutton karahi with more or less the same ingredients, it won’t taste because simply mixing in random comedic bits and vigilante action doesn’t automatically yield gold.
We’ve seen a “royal do-gooder” premise done before in Indian cinema. The biggest roadblock for Bhai these days is Salman himself; he simply cannot shed his persona in the movie. Truthfully, it’s been a while since this has been going on and for the most part, Salman’s fanbase has loved it. But it’s gotten to the point where passing off a 60 year-old as a youth has veered into the absurd and can only be digested if the other elements of the movie are upto par.
The problem here is that the plot is not fresh, nor is it twisted enough to be entertainingly campy. Instead, it’s a warmed-over dish sprinkled with outdated tropes and frantic additions, hoping the aroma of Salman’s star power will mask the stale taste.
Lost in Translation
You also sense the director aiming for a universal message about generosity and the power of one good man to inspire an entire region. Yet, this supposed “crowd-pleaser” leaps from a stilted romance to half-baked comedic sequences to epic fight scenes with zero tension. Each heartfelt moment is followed by forced jokes, leaving one unsure whether to laugh or cringe. The background score roars, but the emotional beats remain limp, never allowing us the space to truly care.
Is Salman Back? Unpopular Opinion
Let’s address the big question: Is Salman Khan back to his best? The short answer: no. Not here, anyway. We catch glimpses of his signature swagger—the cocked eyebrow, the unstoppable fists—but overshadowed by monotone line delivery and wooden expressions. The action scenes provide fleeting reminders of why Salman once ruled Eid, but the surrounding clutter (and a script that refuses to let him do more than walk in slow motion) drags him down.
Many fans still root for that unstoppable Bhai who, despite questionable logic, electrifies the screen with star power. Instead, we get someone going through the motions, overshadowed by half-hearted dialogue, poorly rendered subplots, and a leading lady who can’t rescue him from the unspooling mess.
Final Verdict
Sikandar aims high but crashes under its own weight. The glimmers of entertainment—some well-timed punches, a few comedic bits—can’t salvage a screenplay drowning in clichés and inconsistencies. Longtime Salman fans might watch out of loyalty, but even they may leave disappointed.
Our Rating: 1.5 out of 5
