Sikandar (2025) Movie NetMirror

Sikandar, released in March 2025, was one of the most talked-about Bollywood movies of the year. It featured Salman Khan in a powerful double role and was directed by A.R. Murugadoss, who is known for making action-packed films. The movie was produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and brought together a star-studded cast including Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, and Sharman Joshi.

Despite the big names and a huge budget of around ₹200 crore, Sikandar didn’t live up to the hype. It hit the theaters during Eid al-Fitr, aiming to draw large crowds, but most reviews were negative. After a disappointing box office run, it was released on Netflix in May 2025 to reach a wider audience.

Sikandar Movie Casting

Plot Overview

The story follows Sanjay Rajkot, also known as Sikandar, played by Salman Khan. Sanjay is a kind-hearted leader respected by many. His peaceful life is shattered when his wife Saisri (played by Rashmika Mandanna) is killed by a corrupt politician named Pradhan (Sathyaraj). Before she dies, Saisri donates her organs to three people: a boy from the slums, a young accountant, and a college student.

The villain later hunts down these organ recipients to hurt Sanjay emotionally. Sanjay, now turning into a protective force, steps in to shield them and seek revenge for his wife’s death.

Cast Performances

Salman Khan’s role was expected to be a highlight, but many viewers felt he didn’t bring enough depth or energy to the character. His performance came across as flat and lacked the emotional punch the story needed.

Rashmika Mandanna played a key role but had very limited screen time. Her talent was underused, and fans were left wanting more. Sathyaraj, as the villain, did a decent job, but the script didn’t let his character shine as much as it could have.

Direction and Technical Aspects

A.R. Murugadoss tried to mix emotion, action, and social themes, but the storytelling felt all over the place. The screenplay lacked flow, and the film dragged in several parts, making it hard to stay engaged.

The visuals, handled by Tirru, were occasionally beautiful but didn’t stand out overall. The editing by Vivek Harshan couldn’t fix the film’s choppy narrative and pacing issues.

Music and Soundtrack

The music was composed by Pritam, but surprisingly, none of the songs became popular. The soundtrack felt forgettable, which is unusual for a Salman Khan film.

The background score, created by Santhosh Narayanan, didn’t leave much of an impact either. It failed to support the emotional scenes or lift the action moments.

Critical Reception

Critics were largely disappointed with Sikandar. Major outlets gave it low ratings, often around 2 out of 5 stars. The main complaints were a weak plot, poor direction, and dull performances.

While a few critics appreciated the attempt to tell a socially meaningful story, most felt the execution just wasn’t strong enough to make it work.

Audience Response

The general public shared similar thoughts. Viewers expressed their frustration on social media, calling the film slow, boring, and unengaging. Many long-time Salman Khan fans were also disappointed, calling it a missed opportunity for a comeback film.

Box Office Performance

Even with all the hype, Sikandar didn’t perform well at the box office. It earned around ₹185 crore globally, which is below expectations given the budget and the superstar cast. The film couldn’t keep up with other releases and failed to create strong word-of-mouth.

Final Verdict

Sikandar had everything going for it on paper , a top star, a big director, a strong cast, and a festival release. But in reality, it fell short in many ways. The story lacked focus, the performances didn’t shine, and even the music didn’t click.

While it might find a second life on streaming platforms like Netflix, it serves as a reminder that even the biggest stars need a solid script and direction to deliver a successful film.

What We Liked:

• A strong premise and emotional core
• Decent visual moments
• Sathyaraj’s performance had some weight

What Could Be Better:

• Salman Khan’s performance felt lazy and uninspired
• Rashmika’s role was too small
• Weak screenplay and direction
• Forgettable music and background score