Sikandar (2025) Movie ft. A and Rashmika
Sikandar, the much-awaited action thriller of 2025, brings together Salman Khan and director A.R. Murugadoss in what was expected to be a blockbuster collaboration. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, this film features Rashmika Mandanna as the female lead, along with Kajal Aggarwal and Prateik Babbar in key roles.
Plot and Storyline
The story revolves around Sanjay Rathod (Salman Khan), the last descendant of royalty from Rajkot. A tragic accident transforms him into a protector of the less fortunate, standing against corruption using whatever means necessary.
The conflict begins when Sikandar clashes with Mumbai politician Pradhan (Sathyaraj) after an altercation with his son. This sets up the main battle between our hero and the corrupt system.
The storyline attempts to weave themes of social justice, royal legacy, and personal vendetta. However, the execution feels predictable and lacks the depth needed for meaningful impact.
Cast Performance
Salman Khan’s performance as Sikandar has divided critics and audiences. While some praise his solid performance in action sequences, others feel he appears disinterested throughout the film. I found his emotional scenes particularly underwhelming, lacking the energy typically associated with big-budget entertainers.
Rashmika Mandanna delivers a decent performance despite her limited role. She brings freshness to the film, though her chemistry with Salman feels forced and unconvincing during their shared scenes.
Prateik Babbar stands out as the villain, adding real menace to the narrative. His brilliant portrayal provides genuine threat and tension to the story, making him one of the film’s strongest elements.
Direction and Technical Aspects
A.R. Murugadoss fails to match his previous acclaimed works. While his signature style shows in certain sequences, the overall direction lacks the sophistication that made his earlier films successful.
The action sequences are exceptional and well-choreographed, showcasing spectacular visuals that cater to mass audiences. The cinematography adds visual appeal and helps elevate certain scenes beyond their narrative limitations.
However, the film’s pacing and narrative structure have major issues. The dialogue writing feels monotonous and lacks the impact required for memorable scenes.
Music and Audio
Pritam’s musical score disappoints significantly. The soundtrack fails to enhance the narrative or provide emotional support that the story desperately needs.
The background score misses the mark in creating atmosphere and tension. This is particularly disappointing given music’s crucial role in Salman Khan films.
Critical Reception
The film has received predominantly negative reviews from critics. The Indian Express gave it 1.5 out of 5 stars, noting that Murugadoss and Khan flounder spectacularly. OTTPlay was harsher with just 0.5 out of 5 stars.
Pinkvilla awarded 2 out of 5 stars, stating the film fails to deliver what it sets out to and hardly qualifies as mass entertaining cinema. IMDb shows a user rating of 3.8 out of 10, reflecting mixed-to-negative audience reception.
Some outlets gave more positive 4-star ratings, particularly praising the action sequences and Khan’s screen presence.
Audience Response
Public reaction has been polarized, typical of Salman Khan films. Some fans appreciated the action-packed sequences and Khan’s screen presence, calling it an emotionally engaging thriller.
However, negative reviews describe it as a bloated, mind-numbing disaster with lazy storytelling. Many noted that Salman appears to sleepwalk through yet another role.
What Works
The film’s action sequences are its primary strength, featuring well-choreographed fights and spectacular visuals. Prateik Babbar’s villainous performance provides genuine menace as a worthy adversary.
The cinematography adds visual appeal and elevates certain sequences. The film’s attempt to address social issues shows ambition beyond mere entertainment.
What Doesn’t Work
The biggest weakness lies in unoriginal storytelling that lacks depth and freshness. Khan’s performance appears lackluster and disengaged, failing to carry the narrative effectively.
The dialogue writing is monotonous and fails to create memorable moments. The music disappoints, missing opportunities to enhance emotional scenes. The chemistry between lead pairs feels unconvincing.
My Final Verdict
I found Sikandar to be a missed opportunity for what could have been a significant collaboration. While it contains elements that work individually, it fails to come together as an engaging experience.
The film might satisfy die-hard Salman Khan fans content with familiar territory, but it falls short of expectations set by the director’s previous work. For general audiences seeking fresh entertainment, it offers little beyond routine mass entertainment.
With critical consensus leaning heavily negative and mixed audience reception, Sikandar stands as an example of how star power alone cannot salvage a film lacking heart and originality. While it may perform at the box office due to Khan’s popularity, it’s unlikely to be remembered as a significant addition to either star’s or director’s filmography.
