Sikandar (2025) Movie Movies4u

Sikandar, the latest action drama, brings Salman Khan back to the big screen in another high-octane thriller. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, this film reunites the successful Kick duo after nearly a decade. The movie features Rashmika Mandanna as the female lead, with Kajal, Prateik, and Sharman in supporting roles.

Released on March 30, 2025, during Eid festivities, Sikandar belongs to the action-drama-thriller genre. With Pritam composing the music and a runtime of 140 minutes, the film tackles themes of corruption and social justice. However, its execution has sparked debate among critics and audiences.

Sikandar Movie Actors

Plot and Story

The film follows a fiery young man who challenges a powerful corruption network gripping the nation. Salman Khan’s character fights for common people’s rights in a society plagued by injustice. The story attempts to blend revenge, social justice, and personal vendetta into one narrative.

The plot suffers from predictability and relies on formulaic approaches seen in countless Bollywood action films. The movie struggles to decide whether it wants to be a revenge thriller or a socially conscious drama. This confusion results in a disjointed viewing experience that fails to engage audiences effectively.

Cast Performance

Salman Khan’s performance has been the major talking point among critics and fans. While he maintains his signature screen presence, many feel he appears to be going through the motions. His dialogue delivery and action sequences feel repetitive and lack the innovation that made his earlier films memorable.

Rashmika Mandanna brings fresh energy to the film and her chemistry with Salman Khan works in certain scenes. However, her character lacks proper development and depth. The supporting cast delivers competent performances but feels underwritten and serves merely as plot devices.

Direction and Technical Aspects

A.R. Murugadoss brings his signature style but the execution falls short of expectations. The direction shows glimpses of brilliance in action sequences but suffers from inconsistent pacing. The 140-minute runtime feels stretched with unnecessary sequences hampering narrative flow.

The cinematography captures the scale audiences expect from a Salman Khan film. However, visual spectacle cannot compensate for weak storyline and character development. Pritam’s music, particularly Zohra Jabeen and Bam Bam Bhole, has gained popularity but doesn’t integrate seamlessly into the narrative.

Reviews and Ratings

Sikandar received predominantly negative reviews from critics across major platforms. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a dismal 7% approval rating based on 14 critic reviews. IMDb users rated the film 3.8/10, indicating widespread disappointment among general audiences.

Bollywood Hungama awarded 2.5/5 stars, highlighting performance issues and narrative problems. Critics described the film as boring and preachy and criticized its inability to decide on genre identity. Many reviews called it one of Salman Khan’s weakest films in recent years.

Box Office Collection

Despite negative reviews, Sikandar achieved significant opening numbers due to Salman Khan’s star power and Eid release timing. The film collected approximately ₹158.9 crores worldwide with overseas earnings of $6.316 million.

However, collections showed a declining trend after the initial weekend. Negative word-of-mouth and poor reviews impacted its long-term theatrical run. The film had a shorter lifespan in cinemas compared to other Salman Khan starrers.

What I Liked and Disliked

As someone who has watched numerous Salman Khan films, I found very little to appreciate in Sikandar. The music by Pritam, particularly Zohra Jabeen, stands out as one of the few positives. The production values meet big-budget expectations with elaborate sets and decent action sequences.

I was disappointed by the weak screenplay that suffers from poor character development and predictable plot progression. The film’s inability to balance commercial entertainment with social messaging creates a confused narrative. Salman Khan’s performance, while maintaining his screen presence, offers nothing new or innovative.

The direction lacks the sharpness A.R. Murugadoss is known for, and the 140-minute runtime feels much longer due to pacing issues. I found myself checking the time multiple times during the screening.

OTT Release

Following its theatrical run, Sikandar began streaming on Netflix from May 25, 2025. The film achieved notable streaming numbers during initial weeks, reaching #1 spot in nine countries during its debut week. However, it dropped to #9 in Netflix’s weekly global list, indicating initial interest but poor long-term engagement.

Final Verdict

Sikandar represents a missed opportunity in Bollywood cinema. Despite bringing together talented individuals, the final product disappoints on multiple fronts. The film serves as a reminder that star power alone cannot compensate for weak storytelling and poor execution.

For die-hard Salman Khan fans, the film might offer some entertainment value. However, for general audiences seeking quality cinema, Sikandar falls significantly short of expectations. The movie stands as proof that strong screenwriting and coherent vision remain essential, regardless of star cast or budget.