Sikandar (2025) Movie: Salman Khan’s Latest Film Disappoints His Fans

Sikandar, the much-awaited 2025 Hindi action drama, brings together Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and director A.R. Murugadoss for what was supposed to be a blockbuster Eid release. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film features an impressive cast including Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi, and Sathyaraj.

The movie follows Sanjay Sikandar Rajkot, the last descendant of royalty in Rajkot, who transforms from a carefree man into someone fighting for justice after a tragic accident. When he clashes with corrupt politician Pradhan and his son, Sikandar finds himself in a battle against corruption and greed.

Plot and Story

The story tries to blend action with social messaging, focusing on themes like corruption and redemption. However, the narrative feels painfully predictable and offers nothing new to the tired formula of good versus evil. The screenplay attempts to juggle multiple subplots involving organ donation and social welfare, but these elements feel forced and disconnected.

The pacing suffers throughout, with emotional scenes that should hit hard instead feeling contrived and exhausting. I found myself struggling to stay engaged as the film moved from one clichéd situation to another without any real surprise or innovation.

Cast Performance

Salman Khan delivers what I can only call one of his most disappointing performances in recent years. The superstar, known for his magnetic screen presence, seems to be sleepwalking through his role. His performance during emotional scenes lacks the depth and authenticity we expect from him.

Rashmika Mandanna and Kajal Aggarwal are completely wasted in roles that barely give them anything meaningful to do. Both talented actresses deserve much better than being reduced to decorative additions to the story.

Sathyaraj as the villain feels routine and uninspired. The veteran actor, who has given powerful performances before, seems limited by a poorly written character that lacks complexity.

Direction and Technical Aspects

A.R. Murugadoss, who gave us hits like Ghajini, disappoints with his outdated approach to storytelling. The film feels like it belongs to a different era of Bollywood, one that hasn’t caught up with modern filmmaking techniques or audience expectations.

The action sequences, usually a saving grace in mass entertainers, fall flat. The stunts are generic and uninspired, lacking the innovation that should make viewers sit up and take notice. I found the fight scenes repetitive and boring, failing to generate any excitement.

The cinematography and production design are adequate but unremarkable. Pritam’s background score fails to elevate key moments, making many scenes feel lifeless and disconnected from their intended emotional impact.

Music and Songs

The musical score includes tracks that try to fit the action-drama mold but fail to create any lasting impression. While some numbers attempt to capture the grandeur expected from a Salman Khan film, they lack the memorable quality that would make them chartbusters.

Critical Reception

The film has received harsh criticism from both critics and audiences. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a dismal 7% rating from critics, while Bollywood Hungama awarded it 2.5 out of 5 stars. IMDb users have rated it 3.7 out of 10, reflecting widespread disappointment.

Critics have pointed out the film’s identity crisis – it can’t decide whether it wants to be a revenge thriller or a feel-good social drama. This confusion runs throughout the movie, making it a frustrating watch.

What Works and What Doesn’t

Very few elements work in Sikandar’s favor. The production values are decent, and there are rare moments where Salman Khan’s screen presence reminds us of his capability as a performer.

However, the negatives far outweigh the positives. The outdated storytelling, predictable plot, and lack of emotional authenticity create a viewing experience that feels more like a chore than entertainment. The film’s attempts at social messaging come across as preachy and forced.

The poor character development means audiences struggle to connect with anyone on screen. Even the action sequences, which should be the film’s strength, are disappointingly generic.

Final Verdict

Sikandar represents a significant letdown in Salman Khan’s career and a missed opportunity for A.R. Murugadoss. The film’s inability to balance action, emotion, and social messaging results in a confused and unsatisfying experience.

For Salman Khan fans hoping to see glimpses of his earlier charismatic performances, this film offers little satisfaction. It feels like a relic from a bygone era that hasn’t adapted to contemporary storytelling standards.

The movie proves that star power alone cannot compensate for poor writing and execution. Despite the considerable talent involved, Sikandar fails to deliver on almost every front, making it hard to recommend to any audience.

Rating: 2/5