Sikandar Movie Review: Salman Khan’s action spectacle falls flat with weak storytelling and predictable plot

Salman Khan Sikandar movie review

Salman Khan returns to silver screen with his much-anticipated film Sikandar.

A misfire with no spark

Salman Khan’s Eid offering, ‘Sikandar’ is a dull ride that fails to deliver. With a wafer-thin, preposterous plot and a lackadaisical screenplay, the film struggles to keep audiences engaged through its 140-minute runtime. Rather than a Raja, Salman Khan’s character resembles Robin Hood—taking on a platoon of goons, purchasing land in Dharavi with a truckload of cash, and arranging treatment for 6,000 patients in an instant. Given director AR Murugadoss’s reputation, especially after his gripping ‘Ghajini,’ expectations were high, but this action thriller disappoints with its lack of a compelling narrative and lacklustre performances. The film ultimately feels like an opportunity wasted.

A weak foundation for conflict

The film kicks off mid-air, where Arjun (Prateik Babbar) attempts to molest a fellow passenger but is thwarted by Sanjay (Salman Khan), aka Sikandar, aka Raja Sahab. As the king of the erstwhile state of Rajkot, Sanjay enjoys immense popularity due to his benevolence. However, trouble brews when Arjun is revealed to be the son of Mumbai politician Pradhan (Sathyaraj), who is hell-bent on revenge. Following the tragic death of Sanjay’s wife, Maharani Sai Shri (Rashmika Mandanna), her organs are donated to three individuals in Mumbai. Unaware that Pradhan is hunting him down, Sanjay embarks on a journey to Mumbai to meet these recipients. A chance encounter at Pradhan’s rally turns violent, escalating into an all-out feud between Sanjay and Arjun, which results in Arjun’s death. What could have been an engaging battle of wits turns into a tiresome clash of predictable action, with Pradhan and Sanjay vying for each other’s blood.

A film without redeeming qualities

‘Sikandar’ suffers from poor performances, an unimaginative plot, and a weak screenplay. The songs fail to leave an impact, and even the emotional moments lack depth. The film takes significant creative liberties—Pradhan is portrayed as an all-powerful politician, manipulating both the police and immigration departments effortlessly. Salman Khan’s character, meanwhile, remains static from start to finish, prioritizing action over acting. Sharman Joshi is utterly wasted in the role of Salman’s confidante, and Prateik Patil Babbar’s role is inconsequential. If there is any saving grace, it is Rashmika Mandanna, who manages to deliver a performance with some conviction.

An unconvincing antagonist

The film fails to build tension between its protagonist and antagonist, making the overall screenplay feel like a collapsing row of dominoes. Sathyaraj’s Pradhan lacks menace, coming across as more of a caricature than a true villain. The second half had the potential to intensify the drama when Salman Khan’s character detours from the train and returns to Mumbai, but this remains an unfulfilled promise. The outdated storyline, devoid of novelty, further drags the film down. Even the dialogues, which could have elevated the film, are sporadically impactful at best. A film of this scale deserved better writing.

A missed opportunity for Salman Khan and Murugadoss

‘Sikandar’ does little to redefine Salman Khan’s on-screen persona, allowing him to stay firmly within his comfort zone. Murugadoss, who previously showcased his prowess in action storytelling with ‘Ghajini,’ completely falters here. Instead of an innovative narrative, this film relies on Khan’s mass appeal without pushing him into new territory. The film is a prime example of lazy storytelling and complacency across multiple departments. From direction to performances to music, it stumbles at every step. In the end, ‘Sikandar’ is nothing but a disappointment, failing to justify its star power or its audience’s expectations.

Cast: Salman Khan, Rashmika Mandanna, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi and Prateik Patil Babbar

Director: AR Murugadoss

Rating: 2/5